42nd Street comes back to town
News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
The place to “come and meet those dancing feet” is on a downtown Lexington street with a new name… 42nd Street, Mayor Linda Gorton said today.
In honor of The Lexington Theatre Company’s 10th anniversary of bringing first-rate professional theatre to the greater Lexington area, the Company is reviving its inaugural production – the beloved musical 42nd Street – at the Lexington Opera House.
Just as Lexington did a decade ago, a portion of Short Street has once again been temporarily renamed ‘42nd Street’ with a commemorative street sign installation. Today, the Mayor joined the cast and creative team members from The Lexington Theatre Company (“The Lex”) production in unveiling the new street sign outside the Opera House.
The sign, located at the corner of Short Street and Broadway, will be in place for three weeks. 42nd Street runs July 10-13.
“42nd Street has certainly found a home in the heart of our community, thanks to The Lexington Theatre Company,” Gorton said. “Over the past 10 years, The Lex has continued to bring Broadway-caliber performances to our area, and helped establish Lexington as a thriving arts hub in Central Kentucky. Congrats to The Lex for a decade of excellence!”
42nd Street will be led by Ron Bohmer (George Banks in Mary Poppins at The Lex, Broadway’s Les Misérables, Ragtime, Fiddler on the Roof) as Julian Marsh; Kristen Beth Williams (Broadway’s Pippin, Anything Goes, Hello, Dolly!) as Dorothy Brock; Elizabeth McGuire (numerous productions at The Lex including the 2015 42nd Street; plus numerous other regional productions) as Peggy Sawyer; and Griffin Wilkins (42nd Street at Gateway Playhouse plus numerous regional credits) as Billy Lawlor.
They will be joined by local favorites Karyn Czar (The Music Man, Newsies, Fiddler on the Roof and many more at The Lex) as Maggie Jones; and Brance Cornelius, (Education & Outreach Coordinator as well as many shows at The Lex, National Tours of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Cinderella) as Bert Barry.
A remarkable group of artists from across the country and right here in Lexington/Central Kentucky will bring the dazzling supporting roles and tap-dancing ensemble to life. The cast will be rounded out by college students, many from top-notch musical theatre and theatre programs from across the country, as well as some of Lexington’s favorite local talent.
The casts of both 42nd Street and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the second production of The Lex’s summer season, have alumni from every single season at The Lex to commemorate the 10th Anniversary Season!
“Bringing professional regional theatre to my hometown has been a dream even larger than my time working on Broadway. We are thrilled to have the support of our city as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary and look forward to more decades of dreams coming true,” said The Lex Co-Founder and Artistic Director Lyndy Franklin Smith.
A native of Lexington, Lyndy Franklin Smith started The Lex in 2015 with her husband, Jeromy Smith, who is the company’s Producing Director. Both have worked on Broadway, in national tours, and numerous regional theaters, in capacities both on stage, and behind the scenes.
42nd Street runs July 10-13 at the Lexington Opera House, and is sponsored by Variety Live at the Opera House, CHI Saint Joseph Health, Murry Foundation, Bruce Lunsford Young Artist Program at The Lex, VisitLex, WKYT, and Central Bank, with additional grant support from the Opera House Fund, LexArts and the Kentucky Arts Council.
Performance times are at 7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday (July 10-12); matinee performances at 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday (July 12-13); and a Sunday night performance at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to buy tickets or make a donation, please visit the organization’s website, www.lexingtontheatrecompany.org. Tickets may also be purchased at The Lexington Center Ticket Office, please phone (859) 233-3535.
News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/42nd-street-comes-back-town
