The Legend of New York, a musical rendering of the 1977 New York City blackout, will be presented by NYU Steinhardt’s Program in Vocal Performance at the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, March 27-30. The show features music by Joshua Salzman and book & lyrics by Ryan Cunningham (I Love You Because, Next Thing You Know). The writers have been collaborating with the creative team and cast throughout the process. John Simpkins directs.
The Legend of New York is the unknown story of what really happened the night of the 1977 New York City blackout. It follows Abraham, a cop who is left by his wife and is then visited by an angel. The angel sends him on a quest to find three worthy souls by sunrise or the city will be destroyed. As he ventures through New York's underbelly—Central Park, Studio 54, Times Square, CBGBs, the subway—he teams up with his brother Lonny, a bouncer and a Times Square Hooker. To win back the woman he loves, Abraham must embrace the city he hates—and learn that even at its worst, New York is still the greatest city in the world.
The Legend of New York is part of an annual project that pairs a new and developing musicals with NYU Steinhardt. “We are particularly excited about working with Josh and Ryan again,” said Director John Simpkins. “They are some of the best songwriters in musical theatre – and having staged the first incarnation of Next Thing You Know, we are thrilled to assist them in developing this new piece with our talented students.”
NYU’s production of The Legend of New York runs March 27-29 at 8 p.m. and March 29 & 30 at 3 p.m. at the Provincetown Playhouse at 133 MacDougal Street, between Washington Square South and W. 3rd Street.. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students/senior citizens. For tickets, contact NYU Ticket Central at www.nyu.edu/ticketcentral/calendar, 212.352.3101, or in person at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South).
The Legend of New York features choreography by Connor Gallagher, music direction by Eric Kang, scenic & lighting design by Maruti Evans, costume design by Michelle Eden Humphrey, sound design by Craig Kaufman & Stephanie Riddle, and properties by Zach Longstreet. The production stage manager is Carolyn Day. The cast features NYU Steinhardt students Rachel Adams, Liam Bingham, Anne Bragg, Drew Carr, Laura Castano, Donald Coggin, Dan Coombs, Stephen Eckelmann, Israel R. Hillery, Alex Hunnell, Dan Iwrey, Jane Kivnick, Kailey Prior, Nikhil Saboo, Sophia Sapronov, and Heather Stinson.
The Legend of New York is the 14th annual new musical that has been workshopped at NYU Steinhardt. Past projects have included writers Joe Iconis, Rachel Sheinkin, David Kirshenbaum, Gaby Alter, Tommy Newman, Daniel Goldfarb, Kate Thomas and Joey Contreras. Shows have gone on to further development and productions at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Barrington Stage Company, Theatre Under the Stars, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Sharon Playhouse, and the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF).
For more information or press inquiries about The Legend of New York, please contact
(212) 998-5131.
About NYU Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions:
Steinhardt’s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions was established in 1925. Today, 1,600 students majoring in renowned music and performing arts programs are guided by 400 faculty. The department’s degree programs—baccalaureate through doctorate—share the School’s spirit of openness and innovation that encourages the pursuit of high artistic and academic goals. Music and Performing Arts Professions serves as NYU’s “school” of music and is a major research and practice center in music technology, music business, music composition, film scoring, songwriting, music performance practices, performing arts therapies, and the performing arts-in-education (music, dance, and drama).