The Scottsboro Boys arrives on B'way the 7 Oct

The new Kander and Ebb musical, The Scottsboro Boys, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, is to open at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre on 31 Oct 2010, following previews from 7 Oct 2010, where it is booking through to 27 Feb 2010. Tickets are now on sale.

The Scottsboro Boys - the new musical by the legendary composer/lyricist team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, with book by David Thompson - recently had its world premiere Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre, where it played an extended engagement that ran from 12 Feb - 18 Apr 2010.

The Scottsboro Boys is a new musical that explores the infamous 1930's 'Scottsboro Case', in which a group of innocent African-American teenagers are falsely accused of a terrible crime - ultimately provoking a national outrage that sparked the American Civil Rights movement.

The show opened Off-Broadway to rave reviews: There's much to commend. (NY Daily News); If you see one show this season, make it 'The Scottsboro Boys.' (New York Post); Entertainment ... of the highest order. (AP); Riveting material and toe-tapping songs shot through with wry humor. (Variety).

The Scottsboro Boys is the winner of the 2010 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and the 2010 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. It has been nominated for nine 2010 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Susan Stroman), Outstanding Choreography (Susan Stroman), Outstanding Music (John Kander, Fred Ebb), Outstanding Lyrics (John Kander, Fred Ebb) and Outstanding Book (David Thompson) and also received a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Production of a Musical.

The Off-Broadway production starred John Cullum, Colman Domingo, Brandon Victor Dixon, Sean Bradford, Josh Breckenridge, Derrick Cobey, Rodney Hicks, Kendrick Jones, Forrest McClendon, Julius Thomas III, Sharon Washington, Cody Ryan Wise and Christian White.

It is not known if any of the cast will recreate their roles for Broadway, but since a recent casting notice was seeking African American males, 15-30 years old only, it may be that John Cullum will remain with the musical.

The creative team features set design is by Beowulf Borritt, costume design is by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design is by Kevin Adams and sound design is by Peter Hylenski. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman, with musical arrangements by Glen Kelly. Music direction is by David Loud.

The Scottsboro Boys will be produced on Broadway by Barry and Fran Weissler, Jacki Barlia Florin and The Vineyard Theatre.

Prior to arriving on Broadway the musical will play a limited eight-week engagement at the Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis/St. Paul) from 31 Jul - 25 Sep 2010.

The legendary collaboration of John Kander and Fred Ebb over four decades resulted in some of the most beloved and enduring musicals in theatre history: from 'Flora, The Red Menace' to 'Cabaret' (Tony Award), 'Zorba', 'Chicago' and 'Woman of the Year' (Tony Award); to 'Kiss of the Spider Woman,' (Tony Award), 'Curtains,' 'The Visit' and 'All About Us.'

David Thompson is a Tony Award nominee for Best Book of a Musical for 'Steel Pier.' His other credits include the script adaptation for 'Chicago' and the musical 'The World Goes 'Round,' a musical revue of the songs of Kander and Ebb. In addition, he has written new librettos for the revival of 'Flora, The Red Menace' and Jerry Herman's 'Dear World.'

Susan Stroman won two Tony Awards as director and choreographer of 'The Producers.' She co-created, directed and choreographed 'Contact' for Lincoln Center Theater (Tony Award, Best Choreography). Other Broadway credits include Young Frankenstein,', 'Happiness,' 'Oklahoma!,' 'The Music Man,' 'Steel Pier,' 'Show Boat' (Tony Award), and 'Crazy for You' (Tony Award). Off-Broadway productions include 'And the World Goes Round' and 'Flora, The Red Menace' at The Vineyard.

The Off-Broadway cast of The scottsboroboys More Photos

Originally published on

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