Finian's Rainbow Announces Changes for Broadway Run

Director/choreographer Warren Carlyle has announced changes, including “a total re-imagining of every design element,” for the upcoming Broadway transfer of his City Center Encores! production of Finian’s Rainbow. The musical revival will begin previews on October 8 and open on October 29 at the St. James Theatre.

“I am truly excited to revisit and build on my original concept,” Carlyle said in a statement. “One major difference between the Encores! concert staging and this new Broadway show is that the full orchestra will now be placed in the pit, providing me with more opportunities to fully choreograph sequences and expand the world of Rainbow Valley." Other changes include the design of 200 costumes pieces by Toni-Lesie James and what Carlyle dubs "numerous moments of magic with the help of magic consultant Matthew Holtzclaw.”

The cast of Finian’s Rainbow will be led by Cheyenne Jackson, Tony winner Jim Norton, Kate Baldwin, Tony winner Chuck Cooper and Christopher Fitzgerald.

Finian’s Rainbow tells the story of the Irishman Finian McLonergan (Norton) and his daughter Sharon (Baldwin), who travel to a small Southern town in the mythical state of Missitucky with plans to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief it will grow and multiply. They have been followed from Ireland by the owner of the gold, a leprechaun named Og (Fitzgerald), who shows up determined to recover his treasure. Along the way, Sharon falls in love with landowner Woody (Jackson).

Finian’s Rainbow has a book by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy; lyrics by Yip Harburg; music by Burton Lane; with book adaptation by Arthur Perlman and original adaptation for New York City Center Encores! by David Ives. Musical direction is by Rob Berman. The Broadway revival is being produced by David Richenthal, Jack Viertel and Alan D. Marks.