Photo: Julia Cervantes
Producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief proudly announced the news that beloved Broadway legend Chip Zien is set to star in the role of “Rabbi” in the new musical Harmony by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman. The production will play Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre (243 W 47th St.) with previews starting Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.
Mr. Zien originated the role in the award-winning off-Broadway production at National Yiddish Theatre/Folksbiene (Artistic Director, Zalmen Mlotek and Executive Director, Dominick Balletta) last year. For his performance, he received 2022 Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.
Zien’s storied career has spanned over five decades and this will be his 15th Broadway show. Highlights include originating the iconic role of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into The Woods, leading roles in all the “Marvin Trilogy” musicals by William Finn: In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, Falsettoland and Falsettos, and most recently the Roundabout Theatre Company’s critically acclaimed revival ofCaroline, Or Change at Studio 54. In addition to his work on the Broadway stage, Zien has had an extensive career on screen, including prominent roles in major studio films as well as series regular and guest roles that have encompassed over 100 episodes of television.
Previously announced casting included the six Comedian Harmonists who are Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, and Steven Telsey. Five of them will proudly be making their Broadway debuts.
Further casting and additional news about Harmony will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are now on-sale starting at $59 via www.telecharge.com.
Harmony features an original new score by legendary Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award® winner Barry Manilow with lyrics and book by Drama Desk Award Winner, Bruce Sussman. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle (The Music Man, Hello Dolly!), this timely and captivating rags-to-riches story lost to history comes to dazzling life with a sensational cast of Broadway favorites.
Based on an unbelievable true story, Harmony tells the tale of the most successful entertainers you've never heard of. . . until now. In the 1920s and 30s, The Comedian Harmonists sold millions of records, made dozens of films, and sold-out the biggest theaters around the world. Their heavenly harmonies and musical comedy antics catapulted these six talented young men from singing in the subway tunnels of Berlin to international superstardom.
What happened next is the story of Harmony.
Harmony is based in part on The Comedian Harmonist Archive as curated by the late Dr. Peter Czada.
A New York Times Critic’s Pick, the musical received a 2002 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Musical and an award for Outstanding Best Book of a Musical and the Off-Broadway Alliance’s Best New Musical for 2022. It also received eight 2022-2023 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations including Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical and two 2022 Lucille Lortel Award nominations including Outstanding Musical.
Joining the producing team with Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran,and Garry Kief are Hunter Arnold, Marco Santarelli, Jonathan and Rae Corr, Adam Riemer, Scott Abrams, Amuse, Inc., Patty Baker, Tom and Michael D’Angora, Susan DuBow, Mark Jacobs, Michelle Kaplan, Steve Kyriakis & Matt Donaldson, Harold Matzner, Neil Gooding Productions and Harvey & Sandy Platt. Harmony is produced in association with Wilfried Rimensberger and STILETTO Entertainment.