Marry Harry - The Musical - A Delicious New York Love Story

If in need of a hotel in this part of town, check out this hidden gem: The Casablanca Hotel

Although the show just closed, it definitely deserves mentioning because I know this is just the beginning of a wonderful life for Dan Martin's and Michael Biello's smart and charming musical, Marry Harry. They are longtime collaborators and life partners with an eclectic body of work that has been critically acclaimed in musical theatre for years.


The book is by Jennifer Robbins, music by Dan and lyrics by Michael. With a stellar cast of Broadway veterans, the show explores ideas about family, loyalty, marriage, love and finding one's path in life. Reminiscent of Stephen Sondheim, the musical numbers are extremely clever and some, and I know from being a former singer, are quite demanding to vocally pull off. 

Early in the show, Harry - performed by Robb Sapp, is a wannabe chef who sings a song, Lidia, to his idol Lidia Bastianich. And the wonderful surprise is that the real Lidia came to a performance, praised the show and had her picture taken with the cast.




The show was presented as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. During a three week period, from July 8 - 28, the festival offers a staggering number of shows - 24 in all! The "play readings" are free and tickets to Marry Harry were only $25. 

There are four different theatres presenting the shows here in New York City and the Pershing Square Signature Center located at 480 West 42nd Street is "hub" for the festival. Their open, airy and modern main lobby features a cafe, bookstore and interactive digital display. 

Signature's Lobby
In fact, as I was waiting for the show to begin, a pianist/singer started to play the piano in the lobby and I knew I recognized her voice. I hadn't seen her in years but it was Tina deVaron and she also had a show presented by NYMF titled Perfect Mothers. 

Marry Harry was performed in the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre and a jewel it is. Comfortable and intimate, there isn't a bad seat in the house.

The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre
DIZZY NOTE: For those of us with compromised hearing and balance issues due to inner ear disorders, I find it always more pleasurable to sit in the very last row of a theatre, if possible. Background noise actually diminishes with no one behind you and you can be the last to enter the theatre, and first to leave, avoiding the rush of people.

And if the evening wasn't full of enough surprises, I was thrilled to see my longtime friend Jane Summerhays as part of the cast. And like all of the actors, she delivered a terrific performance.

Like I said, this season of the New York Musical Theatre Festival is over but I'm certain we will be seeing more incarnations of Dan's and Michael's glorious musical, Marry Harry.

Dan, myself and Michael
PS....The word "longtime" is being used a lot today but Dan and Michael are "very longtime" friends of mine. Be sure to check out their website. Both of them are true renaissance men!

1 comment:

  1. I found your great blog through the WLC Blog Follows on the World Literary Cafe! Great to connect!

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