Harmony (musical)

In February 1997, Harmony was announced to start previews on October 7, 1997, at the Mandell Weiss Theatre in San Diego, California. It was created by Barry Manilow, with book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman.[1] It opened on October 19, 1997, and closed on November 30, 1997.[2] The entire production received mixed reviews, and was three hours in length.[3]

David Warren directed the production, with set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Mark Wendland, sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy and lighting by Ken Posner.[4] Danny Burstein originated the role of Rabbi. Other cast members include Mark Chmiel as Lesh, James Clow as Bobby, Steven Goldstein as Erich, Thom Christopher Warren as Harry, Patrick Wilson as Chopin, Rebecca Luker as Mary and Janet Mez as Ruth.[5]

An out-of-town try-out in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was slated for opening on December 17, 2003, with previews on November 25, 2003. A Broadway run was also planned for 2004. Previews for the Philadelphia try-out was delayed to December 2, 2003,[6] with opening on December 10, 2003 due to delivery issues. Both productions were canceled following an announcement on November 13, 2003, due to lack of funds.[7]

After winning back the rights to the musical in 2005, Manilow and Sussman chose to run the musical at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. It ran from September 6, 2013, and closed on October 6, 2013.[8] It then ran at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California, from March 4, 2014, closing on April 13, 2014.[9]

Harmony was planned to debut Off-Broadway at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, New York, on February 9, 2020, closing on March 29, 2020. The opening was subsequently delayed to February 11, 2021[10] and then again delayed to 2022. Previews began on March 23, 2022, opening on April 13, 2022 and ran until May 8, 2022.[11]

Warren Carlyle directed and choreographed the production,[11] with scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Linda Cho, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier and lighting by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer. Sara Edwards would also choreograph the Off-Broadway production.[12] Danny Kornfield portrayed Rabbi, with Steve Telsey playing Lesh, Sean Bell as Bobby, Eric Peters as Erich, Zal Owen as Harry, Blake Roman as Chopin, Sierra Boggess as Mary, Jessie Davidson as Ruth and Chip Zien as Older Rabbi.[12]

A Broadway production of Harmony is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023. Previews began on October 18, 2023, with opening date planned for November 13, 2023. Warren Carlyle will direct and choreograph the production again.[13] Kornfeld, Telsey, Bell, Peters, Owen, Roman, Boggess and Zien are set to reprise their roles,[14] while Julie Benko originates the role of Ruth on Broadway.[15]

An original cast album was released on August 31, 2023.[16]