Encores! Schedules 2008-2009 Season: FINIAN, MUSIC, ON THE TOWN

I am very excited that Encores!, the New York-based series which presents “staged readings” of musicals (often ones which are unlikely to receive a full first class production), has announced its season for next year - and the shows they have picked are great choices.

First up, on November 19-23, 2008 will be the wonderful Leonard Bernstein-Betty Comden-Adolph Green love letter to wartime New York City, ON THE TOWN. Three sailors are on shore leave, searching for the “Miss Turnstiles” that has won the admiration of one of the gobs. Everyone knows “New York, New York” (the “helluva town” kind, not the “start spreadin’ the news” kind) and many know the delightful “I Can Cook, Too,” but the score features lesser known gems such as the haunting “Lonely Town,” the affecting “Some Other Time,” the silly “Carried Away” and the sweet “Lucky to Be Me.”

There will be MUSIC IN THE AIR on February 5-8, 2009. This Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein concoction opened in 1932 and ran a then-impressive 342 performances. (A 1951 revival did not fare so well.) The gorgeous score includes the lyrical “The Song is You” and the charming “I’ve Told Ev’ry Little Star.”

FINIAN’S RAINBOW finishes out the season, running March 26-29, 2009. A classic that has had a hard time getting a Broadway revival – the book is considered dated, with many feelings its satirical look at racial issues has not worn the passing of time well – it contains a score that is a sheer treasure trove – “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” “Look to the Rainbow,” “Old Devil Moon,” “If This Isn’t Love” and “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love.”

Part of me feels that ON THE TOWN and FINIAN’S RAINBOW don’t really belong in Encores!. ON THE TOWN received a full-scale revival in the last few years, and I think that FINIAN’S RAINBOW eventually will, and I believe that Encores! really should concentrate on more obscure titles (like MUSIC IN THE AIR). But there’s no denying that these are great pieces and it will be wonderful to hear them with a full orchestra.

Tickets are available by calling (212) 581-1212 or by visiting www.nycitycenter.org.