Nice Work If You Can Get It (musical)

For other uses, see Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Music	George Gershwin
Lyrics	Ira Gershwin
Book	Joe DiPietro

Nice Work If You Can Get It is an upcoming musical written by Joe DiPietro. It features a score by George and Ira Gershwin. After several workshops and delays, Nice Work will premiere on Broadway in Spring 2012.

Background

A workshop was performed in November 2007, featuring Harry Connick Jr. and Erin Dilly. At that time, the show was titled Heaven on Earth.^[1] The musical was first scheduled to debut at the Colonial Theatre in Boston, running from December 16, 2008 through January 11, 2009. The production was expected to open on Broadway in Spring 2009. The production announced that Harry Connick, Jr. would star as a "Long Island playboy". Scenic design would be by Derek McLane and lighting design by Kenneth Posner, music arranger/supervisor was Rob Fisher, and costume design was by Martin Pakledinaz.

On June 2, 2008, it was announced that Kathleen Marshall, who was formerly announced as director and choreographer, was no longer with the project. According to a statement made by Broadway Across America, the previous producing team "has disbanded due to irreconcilable differences", and Broadway Across America has assumed the lead producing role.^[2][3][4]

According to The New York Post, it was triggered by a feud between Ann Marie Wilkins (Connick's manager), and Scott Landis (Connick's agent and Marshall's boyfriend).^[5] On July 25, 2008, it was announced that the musical was "officially postponed", as they needed more time to work out the details, after the change of producing team.^[6]

Connick mentioned in an interview on The Today Show on MSNBC on January 29, 2009, that the Broadway production was to be directed by George Wolfe.^[7] It was then announced in the June 2010 issue of Playbill magazine that Harry Connick, Jr. left the project, citing his own personal feud with Kathleen Marshall.

Productions

A new reading was scheduled for October 8, 2010, starring Matthew Broderick and Sutton Foster, with Kathleen Marshall directing and Scott Landis producing.^[8] Broderick and Kelli O'Hara have been announced to star in the musical, which is expected to open on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in April 24, 2012 under the direction of Marshall, who will also choreograph.^[9][10]

References

1. ^ New York Production Listings, backstage.com, June 24, 2009
2. ^ Connick, Jr. to Return to Broadway in Nice Work If You Can Get It; Marshall at Helm, Playbill, May 5, 2008
3. ^ playbill June 2, 2008
4. ^ "Variety" article, June 2, 2008
5. ^ 'Nice Work' Has It Bad, The New York Post, June 4, 2008
6. ^ A delay for 'Nice Work' with Harry Connick Jr., The Boston Globe, July 25, 2008
7. ^ Today Show video: Harry Connick Jr. visits TODAY, MSNBC, January 29, 2009
8. ^ Gans, Andrew and Jones, Kenneth."Matthew Broderick and Sutton Foster Set for Reading of Nice Work If You Can Get It'" playbill.com, September 1, 2010
9. ^ Nice Work If You Can Get It Producers Set Opening Date on Broadway — April 24
10. ^ "'Nice Work If You Can Get It' Starring Kelli O'Hara & Matthew Broderick Set to Play Imperial Theatre, April 2012" broadwayworld.com, November 4, 2011