On the Town is set in wartime 1944 and inspired by Robbins' ballet Fancy Free. It follows three sailors' adventurous 24-hour leave in New York City. The production originally played at Broadway's Adelphi Theatre in 1944 for a total of 462 performances. On the Town has since enjoyed two Rialto revivals, one in 1971 and the other in 1998. The show was memorably made into a big budget movie in 1949, starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin as the three sailors.
Finian's Rainbow, the classic musical hit by Burton Lane, E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, opened at the 46th Street Theatre on January 10, 1949. The show played for a total of 725 performances, winning Michael Kidd a Tony Award for his choreography. The musical follows Irishman Finian McLonergan and his daughter Sharon, who arrive in the small Southern town of Rainbow Valley in the mythical state of Missitucky with plans to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox. They have been followed from Ireland by the owner of the gold, a leprechaun, who shows up determined to recover his treasure. The show was revived in 1955 and again in 1960.
Encores! Musical Director Rob Berman will musical direct and conduct all three productions. Casting and creative teams will be announced at a later date.