Bedlam’s production of J.T. Harding’s Music City will close Off-Broadway September 19.
The musical returned Off-Broadway to St. Luke’s Theatre earlier this summer. The production was originally slated to open this spring at 512 West 42nd Street, but due to unforeseen issues with that venue, the return engagement had to be put on hiatus. St. Luke’s Theatre, operated by Out of the Box Theatrics, stepped in earlier to offer Music City a home. This engagement, which began performances June 15, officially opened June 24.
“Producing Music City has been an extraordinary experience, and I’m so proud of the love audiences have shown this remarkable new musical,” said producer Gabrielle Palitz in a statement. “Night after night, we’ve felt the excitement, joy, and connection that make this immersive production so special. There are still three weeks left for audiences to discover why so many people have fallen in love with this show, and we hope everyone who hasn’t seen it yet will join us before the final curtain.”
For the production, St. Luke’s Theatre has been transformed into The Wicked Tickle, an East Nashville barroom. The immersive space fully embodies the world of Music City, inviting audiences to step inside a country bar where music, storytelling, and nightlife collide.
The company includes Lauren “Lolo” Pritchard (Spring Awakening), Drew Bastian (Measure for Measure, Hair) as Newt, Jonathan Judge-Russo (Falling, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me) as Drew, Julianne B. Merrill (Chess, Real Women Have Curves, SMASH!) as Wyn, Leenya Rideout (War Horse, Company, Cabaret) as Tammy/Leeanne, Andrew Rothenberg (The Assassination of Julius Caesar…, Curse of the Starving Class) as Bakerman/Stucky Stiles, and Stephen Michael Spencer (Clyde’s, Medea: Re-Versed) as T.J. Understudies are Grace Bernardo, Danny Hayward and Megan Loomis. Band members include Ann Klein, Merrill, and Tony Tino.
With original and existing songs by multi-platinum songwriter J.T. Harding (who has written for country stars like Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, and more), Music City follows two young singer-songwriters into an East Nashville bar that serves up cheap beer, open mics, and dreams of big breaks. The work features a book by Peter Zinn (Rumspringa, Somewhere With You) and direction by Bedlam Artistic Director Eric Tucker.
The production also has scenic design by Clifton Chadick (assisted by Buffy Cardoza), costume design by Kindall Houston Almond, lighting design by Eric Southern, sound design by Jane Shaw, choreography by John Heginbotham, associate direction by Caitlin Morley, music supervision and music direction by Merrill, and associate music supervision and arrangements by PJ Ju.
The production manager is Joshua Bernard, the associate production stage manager is Diane Healy, and the assistant stage manager is Deanna Kahn.
Music City is produced by Palitz, with Francine LeFrak, No Guarantees Productions, Bedlam, Willette Klausner, Gina Maria Leonetti, Peter Stern, Fahs Productions, Nina Matis, and John Sorkin. General management is by Tom Smedes Productions.
Visit MusicCitytheMusical.com.
