New Version of How Now, Dow Jones Headed for Fringe Festival

The New York International Fringe Festival usually plays host to new musicals, but the 2009 edition will include a revised version of a show many have heard of but few have seen: How Now, Dow Jones, a Best Musical nominee in 1968. The Fringe Festival mounting will star Sarah Litzsinger (Beauty and the Beast, Amour, Les Miserables), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman, revised and directed by Ben West.

The production also stars Shane Bland, Dennis O’Bannion, Elon Rutberg and Cori Silberman with choreography by Rommy Sandhu and music direction and arrangements by Fran Minarik.

How Now, Dow Jones features a book by Max Shulman, music by Elmer Bernstein and lyrics Carolyn Leigh. This zany musical follows Kate, the voice of Dow Jones, whose fiancé won’t marry her until the Dow Jones averages hit 1,000. Bribery, adultery and neurotic Republicans abound in this madcap and timely tale set in the heart of Wall Street. The original Broadway production opened on December 7, 1967, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre starring Tony Roberts, Marlyn Mason and Brenda Vaccaro. It was directed by George Abbott and featured choreography by Gillian Lynne (and an uncredited Michael Bennett). The musical played 220 performances and was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning one for featured actor Hiram Sherman. Originally presented with a cast of more than 40 actors, it has been rarely performed since.

According to a news release, the revised version of How Now, Dow Jones will be performed without an intermission by a cast of eight. The Tony-nominated score will feature three songs cut from the original Broadway production, “Don’t Let a Good Thing Get Away,” “Where You Are” and “Touch and Go.” Four major roles and the ensemble have been eliminated, while five musical numbers have been cut.

Dates for this developmental Fringe Festival production will be announced shortly. The New York International Fringe Festival runs August 14–30.