Broadway’s “42nd Street” to tour in Macon

The former Broadway show and nationally-touring musical “42nd Street” is coming to Macon’s  Grand Opera House on Feb. 7-8 at 7:30 p.m.

The musical is based on the novel of the same name by Bradford Ropes and its 1933 film adaptation. It tells the story of the young dancer Peggy Sawyer’s path to stardom under the guidance of the hard-nosed Broadway director Julian Marsh, who strived to make a successful musical during the Great Depression.

The original production of “42nd Street” in 1980 ran for over 8 years and counted 3,486 performances, according to the musical’s official website. It was revived with great success in 2001: both the original production and the 2001 revival won Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards. The same team behind its award-winning revival is also the driving force of this production, with director and co-author Mark Bramble and choreographer Randy Skinner. Starring as Julian Marsh is Matthew Taylor, along with Kaitlin Lawrence as Dorothy Brock and Caitlin Ehlinger as Peggy Sawyer.

“42nd Street” is the third show in the ongoing Broadway Series of Grand Opera House, followed by “Once” on March 14-15. The series consists of various touring troupes performing hit shows of the Great White Way. It is no child’s play to bring a Broadway show to the Grand.

“The Grand Opera House is the only theatre in Central Georgia large enough to accommodate these nationally-touring, top quality Broadway shows. These shows come in with four to five semi trucks of sets, costumes and tech and take months to prepare for,” said Grand Opera House marketing director Meagan Evans.

The Grand Opera House offers Mercer students a student rush ticket discount for every show in the Broadway series. Discounted tickets for “42nd Street” will be available for only the day before opening on Feb. 6 between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the price of $20. Full price of the tickets ranges between $45 to $71. Don’t forget to go in person and bring your Mercer ID to get this discount.

The box office is at 651 Mulberry Street, but students can also get tickets from Mercer Ticket Sales on campus.