2 months ago
A planned transportation of nan critically acclaimed Off Broadway philharmonic Music City to a larger, custom-redesigned venue has been put connected clasp conscionable days earlier nan planned commencement of performances.
Music City, which features songs by multi-platinum state songwriter J.T. Harding, was group to move from its original location astatine a mini capacity abstraction connected nan 2nd level of a historical religion connected Manhattan’s Upper West Side and into a vacant Times Square-area building that erstwhile housed New York’s Playboy Club.
The remodeled venue connected West 42nd Street adjacent 10th Avenue was being transformed into a afloat functioning Nashville barroom called nan Wicked Tickle, nan mounting for a communicative of 2 young singer-songwriters looking for their large break.
Unfortunately, those dreams of occurrence will person to wait. Producers announced coming that nan musical, which was to person begun performances this Monday, March 23, is going connected hiatus owed to “unforeseen issues” pinch nan caller venue.
“As we were preparing to spell into tech for nan production, we were made alert of ineligible issues pinch nan venue that person proven to beryllium challenging,” said shaper Gabrielle Palitz successful a statement. “We are taking a little region while we regroup. Our formed is raring to go, and we dream to person bully news very soon astir our exhilarating production.”
Additional specifications astir nan ineligible issues were not disclosed. Ticket holders should return to nan constituent of acquisition for refunds.
Music City received bully reviews erstwhile it opened astatine nan Bedlam theatre institution venue West End Theatre successful November 2024, extended 3 times until closing successful March 2025. The show features original and existing songs written by Harding for specified artists arsenic Uncle Kracker (“Smile”), Keith Urban “Somewhere In My Car,” and Blake Shelton (“Sangria”).
The philharmonic features an original book by playwright Peter Zinn and is directed by Bedlam’s creator head Eric Tucker.
The original Bedlam formed was and is expected to return post-transfer, including Drew Bastian, Jonathan Judge-Russo, Julianne B. Merrill, Casey Shuler, Stephen Michael Spencer and others.
The synopsis: “Music City follows 2 young singer-songwriters into The Wicked Tickle, an East Nashville barroom that serves up inexpensive beer, unfastened mics, and dreams of large breaks. The barroom regulars bravely prosecute emotion and euphony successful nan look of addiction, poverty, and haunting pasts. But successful Nashville, heartbreak is nan only point they manus retired for free. Music City is an intimate, gritty, and thrilling return connected nan world of beers, guitars, sawdust, and sunshine.”
Music City was nominated for 2 2025 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical, and a 2025 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical. It’s produced by Gabrielle Palitz, pinch No Guarantees Productions, Bedlam, Willette Klausner, Francine LeFrak and Peter Stern.
