Minsky's: new musical aims for Broadway in 2011

According to librettist Bob Martin ("The Drowsy Chaperone") Minsky's, a new musical comedy, may premiere on Broadway in 2011, with Casey Nicholaw ('The Drowsy Chaperone,' 'Monty Python’s Spamalot') expected to direct and choreograph.

Minsky's, book by Bob Martin (“The Drowsy Chaperone”), music by Charles Strouse (“Bye Bye Birdie,” “Annie,” “Applause”) and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead (“Jelly’s Last Jam” and “Triumph of Love”), is a romantic musical comedy set in Depression Era New York City.

The king of burlesque himself, Billy Minsky, reigns over the rollicking backstage world of Minsky’s where profit margins are as skimpy as the costumes. Billy knows that to keep the customers coming you have to give them legs, laughs and spectacle that pushes the limits, but even he’s not prepared for the day he falls in love and the cops come banging on his door.

The musical is inspired by the four Minsky brothers (Abe, Billy, Herbert and Morton) who presented burlesque shows in Brooklyn from 1912 - 1937. The shows, considered obscene in their day, were regularly raided by the police.

Minsky's is based on the Bud Yorkin – Norman Lear 1968 movie “The Night They Raided Minsky’s” written by Arnold Shulman, Sidney Michael and Norman Lear, from the book by Rowland Barber, directed by William Friedkin, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and produced by Norman Lear.

Minsky's had its world premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles from 21 Jan - 1 Mar 2009. The show was directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and presented in association with MGM on stage. It starred Christopher Fitzgerald as 'Billy Minsky' and Beth Leavel as 'Maisie' - the girl he falls in love with 'Maisie.'