Music in the Air: Encores' production to star Marin Mazzie, Dick Latessa, Sally Ann Howes

Marin Mazzie, Douglas Sills, Dick Latessa, Tom Alan Robbins, Sierra Boggess, Walter Charles, Anne L. Nathan and Sally Ann Howes have been cast in Kern and Hammerstein�s Music in the Air, the second Encores! production of New York City Center�s 2008 - 2009 season, playing for five performances from 5 - 8 Feb 2009 at NY City Center.

A rarely seen 1932 musical, Music in the Air will be directed by Gary Griffin with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Michael Lichtefeld.

Music in the Air, with music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett, has been restored by the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and not been seen in New York in its original form since its premiere Broadway engagement at the Alvin Theatre in 1932. Opening on 8 Nov of that year, it played for 342 performances in a production directed by the authors. A revised version had a brief revival at the Ziegfeld Theatre in 1951.

Music in the Air is a musical romance, with the wit and elegance of an Ernst Lubitsch film. It�s the story of a Bavarian music teacher (Robbins), his beautiful young daughter (Boggess), and the daughter�s suitor, who travel to the big, bad city of Munich where they encounter a cast of self-involved, egotistical theater folk who promise them fame, fortune and romance. Marin Mazzie and Douglas Sills play a Diva (Mazzie) and an operetta librettist (Sills) who take the young couple under their wings (and claws). Songs include �I�ve Told Ev�ry Little Star� and �The Song Is You.�

Marin Mazzie has been nominated for Tony Awards for her work in 'Kiss Me, Kate' (Lilli Vanessi/Katharine: 1999 revival), 'Ragtime' (Mother: 1998) and 'Passion' (Clara: 1994). Previous Encores! credits: 'Out Of This World' (1995) and 'Kismet' (2006).

Douglas Sills was nominated for a Tony for his work in 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' (Percy Blakeney: 1997). He has previously appeared in Encores! production of 'Carnival' (2002).

Dick Latessa won a Tony Award for his role as 'Wilbur Turnblad' in Hairspray. His previous Encores! credits are 'Du Barry Was A Lady' (1996), 'Promises, Promises' (1997) and 'Li'l Abner' (1998).

Tom Alan Robbins last appeared on Broadway in 'Is He Dead?' (Hans von Bismarck: 2007). He has previously appeared in Encores! productions of 'Tenderloin' (2002) and 'Pardon My English' (2004).

Sierra Boggess is currently making her Broadway debut as 'Ariel' in The Little Mermaid. Music in the Air marks her Encores! debut.

Walter Charles last appeared on Broadway in 'The Apple Tree' (King Arik/Mr. Fallible/Producer: 2006 revival). He has previously appeared in Encores! production of 'Call Me Madam' (1995).

Anne L. Nathan last appeared on Broadway in 'Sunday in the Park with George' (Harriet Pawling/Mrs/Nurse: 2008 revival). Music in the Air marks her Encores! debut.

Sally Ann Howes was nominated for a Tony Award for her role as 'Fiona MacLaren' in 'Brigadoon' (1963 revival). She is noted for her role as 'Truly Scrumptious' in the 1968 film classic 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.' Music in the Air marks her Encores! debut.

Gary Griffin (Direcor). Broadway credits: 'The Color Purple' (2005) and 'The Apple Tree' (2006). Previous Encores! credits: 'The New Moon' (2003), 'Pardon My English' (2004), 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' (2005) and 'The Apple Tree' (2005).

Michael Lichtefeld (Choreographer). Broadway choreographcal credits: 'Little Women' (2005), 'Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only' (2003), 'The Sound of Music' (1998), 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' (1995), 'The Secret Garden' (1991) and 'Sweeney Todd' (1989). Music in the Air marks his Encores! debut.

For tickets and further information click here.