‘New York, New York’ coming to Broadway in March

"New York, New York" will begin previews on March 24. It boasts an acclaimed creative team, including Lin-Manuel Miranda and musical theater legend John Kander.

Mar 1, 2023, 11:56 AM

Updated 592 days ago

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"New York, New York" may be the ultimate song about the Big Apple, and now the energy and spirit that it represents are inspirations for a new Broadway musical.
"New York, New York" will begin previews on March 24. It boasts an acclaimed creative team, including Lin-Manuel Miranda and musical theater legend John Kander.
"My first experience [of the song] was Liza [Minnelli] sings it when the Yankees lose and Frank [Sinatra] sings it when the Yankees win," says Miranda.
While that is how many people know the song, "New York, New York" book writer David Thompson says it was in the lyric, "I want to be a part of it," that the creative team discovered a foundation on which to build the story.
Set in the 1946 big band era immediately following World War II, the plot revolves around an aspiring singer, Francine Evans, who brings her dreams of a music career to New York City, where she falls in love with bandleader Jimmy Doyle. The story weaves through the lives of other characters striving to make it in the city.
Kander, 95, says he remembers that time in history and how possibilities suddenly seemed boundless after the war.
"I remember that period very well - 1946, 1947, was the year life began again. Not just in New York but all over the country,” he says.
Kander and his late writing partner, Fred Ebb, are credited with music and lyrics for "New York, New York" with additional lyrics by Miranda.
The musical, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, is inspired by the 1977 movie musical of the same title, which starred Robert DeNiro and Liza Minnelli, who introduced the title track that went on to become her signature song.
Anna Uzele and Colton Ryan play the parts of singer Francine Evans and bandleader Jimmy Doyle.
"New York, New York" will be performed at Broadway's St. James Theatre.
Watch interviews with the cast and creative team here: