Flower Drum Song Opened October 17th 2002
Virginia Theatre, Tickets 245 West 52nd Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue; $65-$95; Tue - Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; Lea Salonga stars in this new Broadway musical with a score by Rodgers & Hammerstein. You'll never look at Chinese take out boxes the same way again. The musical love story unfolds as you watch Chinese immigrants assimilate from Communism to capitalism in a nightclub in San Francisco.  Traditional Chinese Opera isn't drawing the crowds in the Chinatown theater until the Americanized son Ta (Jose Llana) proves to his Father (Randall Duk Kim) that scantily costumed Chinese chorus girls will pack the house. The music and costumes are glorious. Lea Salonga's sweetness (Mei-Li) melts your heart, and Sandra Allen (Linda Low), the stripper, turns up the heat with her fan. Flower Drum Song is what great theater is all about; a good story, humor, great music, imaginative costumes and memories that last long after the standing ovation. This is the first major revival of this musical since it originally opened on Broadway on December 1st 1958 at the St. James Theatre. David Henry Hwang ("M. Butterfly") has rewritten the original book. Based on the novel by C Y Lee. Director and Choreographer: Robert Longbottom.

Frankie and Johnny in the Claire De Lune Aug. 8th '02-Dec. 29th '02.
Belasco Theatre, Tickets 111 W. 44th St. Between Broadway and 6th Ave. $35 - $75; Tue - Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM;  A romantic drama of two lovers in a NYC apartment. Frankie and Johnny in the Claire De Lune was first produced in 1987 at Manhattan Theatre Club's Stage II starring Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham; The movie featured Michelle Pfeiffer, Al Pacino, and Nathan Lane; Frankie and Johnny in the Claire De Lune features Edie Falco, (Frankie - Rosie Perez after January 1st 2003), best known for her role as Carmela Soprano on HBO's "The Sopranos" for which she received Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Awards. Also known from HBO's "Oz", NBC's "Law and Order" and "Homocide". Edie Falco recently starred as the title character in the award winning film "Judy Berlin" and will be featured in John Sayles film "The Sunshine State" in the summer of 2002. Stanley Tucci (Johnny - Joe Pantoliano after January 1st 2003), received major acclaim in "Big Night" as producer, co-writer, and co-director with Campbell Scott; Written by Terrence McNally, a prolific American playwright, whose credits include "The Full Monty", "Ragtime", "Master Class" and many more! Directed by award winning Joe Mantello, who will also be directing "A Man of No Importance" in the fall.

The Graduate Opened April 4th 2002
Plymouth Theatre, Tickets 236 West 45th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue; $41.25-$76.25; Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; Lorraine Bracco as Mrs. Robinson, John Lavelle is Benjamin Braddock, and Andrea Anders. This new play by Terry Johnson is based on the novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Calder Willingham & Buck Henry. Directed by Terry Johnson. "The Graduate" screenplay was released in 1967 by AVCO/Embassy pictures and featured Dustin Hoffman in his first major role, Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross. The score was crafted by Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel and Dave Grusin.

Gypsy Previews March 24th 2003 Opens April 24th 2003
Shubert Theatre, Tickets Not On Sale Yet 225 W. 44th St. Between Broadway & 8th Ave; Bernadette Peters as "Rose" in "Gypsy" will be brought to you by RJK Productions/Ron Kastner in this revival of the 1959 Musical based upon the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee. With Tammy Blanchard as "Gypsy", and Kate Reinders as "Dainty June"; The book, by Arthur Laurents. Music: Jule Styne; Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim; "Gypsy" is directed by Sam Mendes with Jerry Mitchell as the Choreographer (based upon original choreography by Jerome Robbins); Settings and Costumes: Anthony Ward; Lighting: Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer; Sound by Acme Sound Partners. Musical Supervisor: Patrick Vaccariello; Musical Director: Marvin Laird; Featuring the Sid Ramin and Robert Ginzler Orchestra. "Gypsy" originally opened at the Broadway Theatre on May 21st 1959. Ethel Merman headed that cast including Jack Klugman, Sandra Church, Lane Bradbury, and Maria Karnilova under the direction of Jerome Robbins.

Hairspray Opened August 15th 2002
Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue; 212-307-4100; $60-$95; Mon-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Hairspray is a new musical based on the New Line Cinema film (1988) written and directed by John Waters. The book is by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Music by Marc Shaiman. Lyrics by Scott Whitman and Marc Shaiman.  Marissa Jaret Winokur and Harvey Fierstein star in Hairspray which is choreographed by Jerry Mitchell ("The Full Monty"). It is under the direction of Jack O'Brien ("The Full Monty") and the costumes are by William Ivey Long. Also featuring, Dick Latessa, Laura Bell Bundy, Linda Hart, Mathew Morrison, Clark Thorell, Corey Reynolds, Kerry Butler, Mary Bond Davis, and Danelle Wilson.

Hollywood Arms Opened October 31st 2002; Closed January 5th 2003
Cort Theatre, Tickets 138 West 48th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue. $20-$80; Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; Linda Lavin and Frank Wood star with Michelle Pawk in this production directed by Harold Prince. It is a drama about the childhood of a young Hollywood child. Co-written by Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie Hamilton. It tells the story of three generations of women. Also featuring Donna Lynne Champlin and Sara Niemietz. With Steve Bakunas, Patrick Clear, Emily Graham-Handley, Nicolas King, and Christian Kohn. Settings by Walt Spangler; Costumes by Judy Dolan; Original Music by Robert Lindsay Nassif. Lighting: Howard Binkley; Sound: Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen.

Imaginary Friends Opened December 12th 2002
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Tickets 243 West 47th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. $55-$90; Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM;  Cherry Jones and Swoosie Kurtz star in this new play with music about the feud between Lillian Hellman (Kurtz), and Mary McCarthy (Jones). It is a flashback with singing and dancing performed by various actors in character of the times of their lives. Book by Nora Ephron; Music by Marvin Hamlisch ("Sweet Smell of Success"); Lyrics by Craig Carnelia ("Sweet Smell of Success"); Under the direction of Jack O'Brien; Choreographer Jerry Mitchell; With Harry Groener; Settings by Michael Levine; Costumes by Robert Morgan; Kenneth Posner, Lighting; Jon Weston, Sound; Ron Melrose as the Musical Director.

Into The Woods Opened April 30th 2002 through December 29th 2002
Broadhurst Theatre, Tickets 235 W. 44th St. Between Broadway and 8th Avenue; $45-$99; Tue-Sat 8 PM; Wed, Sat 2 PM; Sun 3 PM; Director James Lapine; Music & Lyrics Stephen Sondheim; Choreographer John Carrafa; "Into The Woods" is an original story of a Baker and his Wife who attempt to have a child and reverse the curse on their family. It is a blend of five Grimms' fairy tales. Features stories such as "Cinderella", "Rapunzel", "Little Red Riding Hood", and "Jack, The Giant Killer". Features Vanessa Williams as "The Witch", John McMartin as "Narrator/Mysterious Man", Laura Benanti as "Cinderella", and Gregg Edelman as "Cinderella's Prince". The musical "Into The Woods" originally opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 5th 1987. 2002 Tony Award : Best Revival of a Musical, 2002 Tony Award : Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt).