Jerry Springer - The Opera will make its long-delayed New York debut with two concerts at Carnegie Hall on January 29 and 30, 2008. An award-winning musical based on the American talk show host, it first premiered in London at the National Theatre in 2003. Avenue Q helmer Jason Moore will direct, with musical direction by Stephen Oremus.
The show, which features music by Richard Thomas and book and lyrics by Stewart Lee and Thomas, was originally a hit at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It was then chosen by National Theatre Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner to be part of his first season at the helm of the company. Headlined by Michael Brandon as Springer, the musical opened to rave reviews at the National's Lyttelton Theatre on April 29, 2003 prior to transferring to the Cambridge Theatre in the West End.
Despite winning the 2003 Olivier, Critic's Circle Award and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical, Jerry Springer - The Opera closed in February 2005 after a 15-month run in the West End. A Broadway transfer was announced before being delayed indefinitely shortly prior to the London closing.
No casting has been announced for the concert presentations.