New Jazz Musical Play It Cool Sets Off-Broadway Dates

Play It Cool, a new musical about an underground 1950s Hollywood nightclub, will play off-Broadway's Acorn Theatre on Theatre Row beginning September 2. Opening night is set for September 14, directed by Sharon Rosen.

Led by Tony nominee Sally Mayes (She Loves Me, Urban Cowboy, Pete 'n' Keely), the cast also includes Michael Buchanan (The Addams Family), Chris Hoch (La Cage aux Folles), Robyn Hurder (Chicago) and Michael F. McGuirk (Sessions).

Conceived by Larry Dean Harris and featuring music by Phillip Swann, lyrics by Mark Winkler and a book by Martin Casella and Harris, Play It Cool takes place at Mary's Hideaway, an underground jazz club that catered to gay crowds. Due to laws of the time period, clubgoers were forced to speak in innuendo and abide by strict social codes in order to enjoy themselves. The show features additional music by Jim Andron, Michael Cruz, Marilyn Harris, Emilio Palame and Larry Steelman.

The production will include choreography by Marc Kimelman, set design by Thomas A. Walsh, costume design by Therese Bruck, lighting design by Deb Sullivan and sound design by Carl Casella and Peter Fitzgerald.