New York, New York

 New York, New York
St. James Theatre
May 7, 2023 

Photo courtesy of New York, New York

Director/choreographer Susan Stroman has outdone herself with the Broadway musical New York, New York.  The production is extraordinary.  Her staging creates the city hustle of the post war era.  It is a city struggling to come back to life, filled with a diverse population of dreamers.  The scenic design by Beowulf Boritt is remarkable.  The book, by David Thompson and Sharon Washington, weaves together numerous stories that build with an amazing crescendo.  John Kander and Fred Ebb’s well known songs open your heart, while the new songs, with lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, keep the story focused and moving forward.  

Anna Uzele & Colton Ryan
Photo courtesy of New York, New York

The main plot is very much like the movie.  Musician Jimmy Doyle (played by Colton Ryan) meets singer Francine Evans (played by Anna Uzele) at an audition.  He is immediately charmed by her, yet his overly confident demeanor turns her off.  Jimmy’s friend, Tommy Caggiano (played by Clyde Alves) encourages him to pursue Francine in a more romantic manner.

The magnetism of the city is illustrated by the numerous characters we see throughout the story.  Jesse Webb (played by John Clay III) is a trombone player who just returned from the war.  Mateo Diaz (played by Angel Sigala) is a percussionist who immigrated to New York from Cuba with his family.  Alex Mann (played by Oliver Prose) is a violinist who escaped from Poland.  He searches the city for Madam Veltri (played by Emily Skinner).  He longs to study violin with her.  She agrees to mentor him, while anxiously waiting for her son to return from the war. 

Clyde Alves, Colton Ryan, & Anna Uzele
Phtoso courtesy of New York, New York

As Francine’s singing career rises, Jimmy’s drinking starts to bring him down.  He gets a chance to manage a club on the upper west side.  This is where all the stories converge, as the characters forge bonds that create opportunities for them all to achieve their dreams. 

Colton Ryan is outstanding as Jimmy Doyle.  He fully embodies the character.  He is suave, bold, and lyrical.  His attraction to Anna Uzele’s Francine is visceral.  You will not be able to take your eye off Ms. Uzele.  She nails the two best known Kander & Ebb songs from the movie.  She makes them her own, both vocally and emotionally.

Photo courtesy of New York, New York

Colton Ryan and Clyde Alves create a genuine friendship between their characters.  Their backstory is strong.  It is filled with conflict and connection.  John Clay II, Janet Dacal, Oliver Prose, Angel Sigala, and Emily Skinner portray truthful and identifiable characters.  They have clearly defined goals and strive toward achieving them with every ounce of their soul.

This creative team has taken the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture and made it new.  It proudly reflects the ability of New Yorkers to bounce back and succeed.  It is an inspiring story for this post-pandemic time.  

Domenick Danza