Wonderful Town may be the musical you've been waiting for-that is, if you like decadent costumes and red lipstick.
The musical, playing in Page Auditorium Nov. 29, is part of the 39th annual Broadway at Duke series.
"Wonderful Town's strength is in its music," said senior Josh Posen, chair of Broadway at Duke. "Today's Broadway shows rely on technology and spectacle to grab the audience. Half a century ago it was the music."
The glitz-and-glam production is a lively revival of the 1930s in New York City-a musical comedy based around the adventures of two sisters who hail from Columbus, Ohio. The girls set out for New York City to "strike it big," as one could only expect.
The women's adventures are based on the real experiences of sisters Ruth and Eileen McKenney, who traveled to New York with the hopes of becoming a writer and actress, respectively, in 1933.
Ruth began chronicling their fast-paced life and shared escapades in a series of short stories-all of which were promptly rejected by The New Yorker magazine. Eventually, Ruth managed to have her works published in a book titled My Sister Eileen.
In 1953, during the midst of the Cold War, happy-go-lucky Wonderful Town debuted and was an instant hit. The musical won six Tony awards that year, including Best Musical. Wonderful Town's 2003 revival on Broadway, which starred Brooke Shields as Ruth at one point, has also garnered a number of awards, including a Tony for Best Cinematography.
Posen encourages students to drop in for the show, although they might be not recognize the title.
"I think most students pass by our posters because it isn't Wicked or Avenue Q," Posen said. "But Wonderful Town can be as enjoyable as any modern-day blockbuster-you just can't go in expecting pyrotechnics! It's the professional national tour-elaborate sets, full costumes and performing talent to blow you away."
With extremely low ticket prices, Wonderful Town is a great option for students looking for a short break from end-of-the-semester studying.
Wonderful Town will be performed in Page Auditorium Nov. 29 at 7:30. General Admission is $25 to $45, $5 for students.
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