JRB’s first produced show, a musical revue in the mold of “Starting Here, Starting Now” and “Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well,” directed by Daisy Prince with a spectacular cast featuring Andrea Burns, Brooks Ashmanskas, Jessica Molaskey and Billy Porter (who was unable to record the role, so Ty Taylor stepped in for the album and did a tremendous job). Since its debut at the WPA Theater in October 1995, the show has been produced hundreds of times all over the world, and its centerpiece song, “Stars and the Moon” has been recorded by countless wonderful singers including Audra McDonald, Karen Akers and Betty Buckley.
1995 Original Off-Broadway Production
WPA Theatre
519 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011
Opening Performance: October 26, 1995
Closing Performance: November 5, 2005
First Preview: October 11, 1995
Creatives:
Directed by Daisy Prince
Sound Design: Jim Bay & John Curvan
Scenic Design: Stephan Olson
Music:
Orchestrations by Jason Robert Brown and Brian Besterman
Piano: Jason Robert Brown
Bass: Randy Landau
Drums: Tom Partington
Keyboards: Joe Reina
Percussion: Warren Smith and Rob McEwan
Cast:
Brooks Ashmanskas
Andréa Burns
Jessica Molaskey
Billy Porter
[Ty Taylor sang Billy Porter's role for the recording.]
2001 UK Premiere
What’sOnStage Awards 2002: Craig Purnell - Best Actor in a Musical
2015 Revival
St James Theatre, London
Opening Performance: July 22, 2015
Closing Performance: July 8, 2025
Creatives:
Director: Adam Lenson
Set and Costume Design: Andrew Riley
Musical Director: Daniel A. Weiss
Lighting: Alex Drofiak
Sound: Mike Thacker
Movement: Polly Bennett
Cast:
Cynthia Erivo
Jenna Russell
Damian Humbley
Dean John-Wilson
2001 UK Premiere
Bridewell Theatre, London
First Preview: August 8, 2001
Opening Performance: August 13, 2001
Closing Performance: September 15, 2001
Creatives:
Directed by Clive Paget
Music Direction: Christopher Frost
Set Design: Paul Clarke
Lighting Design: Robert Bryan
Choreographer: Sam Spencer-Lane
Cast:
Craig Purnell
Golda Rosheuvel
Sarah Redmond
Nigel Richards
2018 Encores! Off-Center
New York City Center
June 27–June 30, 2018
Directed by: Kate Whoriskey
Choreography by: Rennie Harris
Music:
Music Director: Tom Murray
Band Leader: James Sampliner
Violin: Monica Davis, Katherine Livolsi
Viola: Yuko Naito-Gotay
Cello: Mairy Dorman-Phaneuf
Bass: Loraine Faina
Percussion: Benny Koonyevsky
Guitar: Hidayat Honari [Michael Aarons for the recording]
Cast:
Shoshana Bean
Colin Donnell
Mykal Kilgore
Solea Pfeiffer