A Connecticut Yankee

SAN FRANCISCO (9 May 1995) -- Martinis and the Middle Ages collide when a Manhattan playboy suddenly finds himself immersed in the medieval mischief of King Arthur's Court in A CONNECTICUT YANKEE, presented by 42nd St. Moon's Lost Musical Series June 9 - 25, 1995 at the New Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco. Originally mounted in 1927, A CONNECTICUT YANKEE was Rodgers and Hart's biggest hit of the 1920s. The musical launches 42nd St. Moon's six-show HAMMERSTEIN & HART FESTIVAL, celebrating the centennial of the birthdays of Oscar Hammerstein II and Lorenz Hart Jr.

Based on Mark Twain's novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, A CONNECTICUT YANKEE introduced beloved standards such as "My Heart Stood Still" and "Thou Swell." The show opened November 3, 1927 in Broadway's Vanderbilt Theatre, featuring a book by Herbert Fields and choreography by a then inexperienced young man named Busby Berkeley. Reviewers heaped praise upon the show, including Frank Vreeland of the New York Telegram who whimsically commanded, "Go, thou sluggard, and enjoy A CONNECTICUT YANKEE and tell ye cocke-eyed worlde thou hast had ye helluva time." 42nd St. Moon will present the score from a 1943 revival that added six songs to the original, including "To Keep My Love Alive" and "The Camelot Samba."

42nd St. Moon's presentation of A CONNECTICUT YANKEE will feature Joseph Lustig as dashing Manhattanite "Martin Barrett", who suddenly finds himself transported back to King Arthur's court. Stephanie Rhoads portrays "Alice", his true love in New York and a lady of the court in medieval times, while Lesley Hamilton takes the stage as "Faye Morgan", Martin's Manhattan fiancee doubling as "Morgan LeFay", the evil queen whose husbands have a way of dying inexplicably. Lustig was seen in 42nd St. Moon's Lost Musical Series production of SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS as well as in COLE and AT THE CABARET CHAT NOIR. Rhoads, who was featured in the title roles of 42nd St. Moon productions of ONE TOUCH OF VENUS and SWEET ADELINE, also performed in San Francisco's long-running BEACH BLANKET BABYLON and toured in SOME LIKE IT COLE. Hamilton, seen previously in 42nd St. Moon productions of SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS and ONE TOUCH OF VENUS, also appeared in the cabaret hit PARTY OF ONE and portrayed "Young Sally" in San Jose Civic Light Opera's critically acclaimed FOLLIES.

The cast is rounded out by Juliette Morgan as "Evelyn Court", Bill Fahrner as "Sir Galahad", David Cummings as "Sir Kay" and Martin Beal as "King Arthur". Stacey Plaskett, Susan Johnson and Tom Cassell will also appear. MacKellan takes the helm to direct the production, with music direction provided by Peggy Gorham.

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