Yank! David Cromer to direct new musical

The producers of Yank! A WWII Love Story have announced that director David Cromer will helm the upcoming Broadway production of the new musical by David and Joseph Zellnik, which will open on Broadway during the 2010 - 2011 season at a theatre to be announced.

Cromer, who received Obie and Lucille Lortel awards for his direction of the Off-Broadway musical 'Adding Machine,' and whose award-winning production of Thornton Wilder's 'Our Town' continues in its second year Off-Broadway, will make his Broadway musical debut with Yank!. Cromer made his Broadway debut last year with the short lived production of Neil Simon's 'Brighton Beach Memoirs.'

Set during World War II, Yank! chronicles the relationship between two servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940's, Yank! captures the spirit and exuberance of the era as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival.

There has been no details released on the cast, or theatre for the Broadway production. However, it will come as no surprise if Bobby Steggert, who starred as 'Stu' int the Off-Broadway production, continues in that role when the musical arrives on the Great White Way.

Yank! opened Off-Broadway at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's on 24 Feb 2010, following prevews from 16 Feb, where it played an extended engagement through to 4 Apr 2010.

The show opened to mostly excellent reviews: Harmonies are vibrant (newyorktheatreguide.com); A fine mix of humor and simmering drama (NY Times); Supremely entertaining (AP); Bright, original and moving (Variety).

Directed by Igor Goldin, the Off-Broadway run starred Nancy Anderson, Jeffry Denman, Ivan Hernandez and Bobby Steggert, and also featured Andrew Durand, Zak Edwards, Todd Faulkner, Denis Lambert, Joseph Medeiros, David Perlman, Christopher Ruth and Tally Sessions.

Featuring music by Joseph Zellnik and book and lyrics by David Zellnik, Yank! also features music direction by John Baxindine, choreography by Jeffry Denman, set design by Ray Klausen, costume design by Tricia Barsamian and lighting design by Ken Lapham.

Prior to its Off-Broadway premiere, Yank! had productions at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, CA and The Gallery Players in Brooklyn, NY.