RIALTO CHATTER: 'MINSKY'S' To 'Bump and Grind' In West End?

WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that talks are under way to bring "Minsky's," the musical tale of Depression era burlesque that recently played in Los Angeles, to the West End in late 2010 or early 2011. 

The show was mentioned for late 2009 Broadway bow, according to its producers a few months ago, but at present there has been no new information or any official announcement. To read the full WhatsOnStage article click here.

"Minsky's" opened February 6, 2009, at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and continued through March 1 (previews began January 21). Featuring music by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Charles Strouse ("Bye Bye Birdie," "Annie," "Applause") and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead ("Jelly's Last Jam" and "Triumph of Love"), "Minsky's" was Center Theatre Group's second collaboration with Tony Award-winning writer Bob Martin and director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw ("The Drowsy Chaperone").

The cast featured Christopher Fitzgerald (Billy Minsky), Katharine Leonard (Minsky's love interest Mary), Rachel Dratch, George Wendt and Beth Leavel along with John Cariani, Gerry Vichi, Kevin Cahoon and Paul Vogt. Ensemble members include Megan Nicole Arnoldy, Nathan Balser, Roxane Barlow, Jennifer Bowles, Kirsten Bracken, Jennifer Frankel, Linda Griffin, Blake Hammond, Philip Hoffman, Stacey Todd Holt, Marc Kessler, Sabra Lewis, Matt Loehr, Ariel Reid, Jeffrey Schecter, Angie Schworer, Sarrah Strimel, Charlie Sutton, Jennifer Werner and Patrick Wetzel.

Presented by special arrangement with Bob Boyett and Kevin McCollum, "Minsky's" featured scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Acme Sound Partners and hair design by Josh Marquette. The musical direction and vocal arrangements are by Phil Reno, orchestrations are by Doug Besterman and arrangements are by Glen Kelly. Casting was by Telsey + Company, the Technical Supervisor is Peter Fulbright and the production stage manager was Karen Moore.

"Minsky's" is as press notes describe, "a big, racy, romantic musical comedy set in Depression Era New York City. The king of burlesque himself, Billy Minsky (Christopher Fitzgerald), reigns over the rollicking backstage world of "Minsky's" where profit margins are as skimpy as the costumes. Billy knows that to keep the customers coming you have to give them legs, laughs and spectacle that pushes the limits, but even he's not prepared for the day he falls in love and the cops come banging on his door. This original musical brings back a golden era of theatre when audiences came to the theatre to laugh at the jokes, ogle the dancers and escape reality for a little while."

Photo by Craig Schwartz