Shuler Hensley To Headline '42nd Street' At Byers Theatre

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — City Springs Theatre Company presents Tony Award-winning actor Shuler Hensley in “42nd Street,” a Broadway musical that will take the Byers Theatre stage in September. The show at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center will run Sept. 14-23, and ticket prices range from $30 to $62.

“42nd Street” is an unforgettable tap-dancing extravaganza with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark
Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin and music by Harry Warren. Packed with plenty of music, the show will set your heart pounding with its rhythmically tapping feet and hit parade of songs such as “We’re In The Money,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me,” and, of course, “42nd Street.”

The 1980 Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Musical, as did the 2001 Broadway revival
for Best Revival. Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 film adaptation, “42nd
Street” tells the story of a starry-eyed young actress named Peggy Sawyer who has come to audition for
the new Julian Marsh musical set to open on Broadway. Unfortunately, the actress can't seem to
work up the nerve to walk through the stage door until the audition is over.

Fortunately, Peggy soon catches the eye of the famous director and when the chorus turns up one girl short, Peggy gets her big break. But she can't seem to stay in the good graces of the show's aging leading lady, Dorothy Brock. On opening night, another dancer accidentally pushes Peggy into Ms. Brock, who falls and breaks her ankle. The furious director fires the younger actress on the spot. Discouraged and ready to give up all her dreams of becoming a star, Peggy packs her bags and heads for the train station, but fate has other plans and Peggy may turn out to be a star yet.

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Playing Broadway director Julian Marsh is Tony Award-winning Georgia native Shuler Hensley, the associate artistic director of City Springs Theatre Company. Hensley most recently starred as Charlie in Royal Theatre Bath’s critically acclaimed production of “The Whale.” Stateside, he has appeared as the Monster in the original Broadway and West End productions of Mel Brooks' “Young Frankenstein,” Javert in Broadway’s “Les Miserables,” and Jud Fry in “Oklahoma!,” which earned him the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Olivier awards.

“I am excited and honored to be a part of our inaugural production of ‘42nd Street!’,” Hensley said. “It represents what musical theatre is all about — spectacular songs, exuberant dance, and an old-fashioned showbiz story. In all its Broadway glory, ‘42nd Street’ is the perfect show to open a brand-new theatre.”

“42nd Street” also stars Leigh Ellen Jones as Peggy Sawyer, Deborah Bowman as Dorothy Brock,
Benjamin Taylor Davis as Broadway crooner Billy Lawlor, Googie Uterhardt and Marcie Millard as the
songwriting team of Bert Barry and Maggie Jones, Steve Hornibrook as show financier Abner Dillon,
Michael Persson as dance director Andy Lee, and Jody Woodruff as former vaudeville performer, Pat
Denning.

Others cast members include Arielle Geller, Avery Gillham, Barbara Macko, Bonnie Harris, DJ Grooms,
Emily Herbert, Fenner Eaddy, George Deavours, Imani Joseph, Jason Cohen, Jenna Jackson Morris,
Jordan Pretorius, Kylie Washington, Lauren Tatum, Paige McCormick, Priscilla Curtis, Rob Ouellette,
Sebastian Goldberg, Sumner Balkwill, Tecia Chavez, and Will Broyles.

City Springs Theatre Executive/Artistic Director Brandt Blocker directs alongside Resident Music Director
Judy Cole and Resident Choreographer Cindy Mora Reiser. “42nd Street” will also include the live City Springs Theatre Orchestra.

Show times are:

• Friday, Sept. 14: 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 16: 2 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 21: 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 22: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 23: 2 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.CitySpringsTheatre.com or call 404-477-4365.

Photo: Shuler Hensley. Credit: City Springs Theatre Company