42ND STREET   Role: Billy Lawlor   Production Info: April 23-May 25, ’03 @ Arts Center (SC) Director: Casey Colgan Choreographer: Mark Santoro Musical Director: Tim Reynolds

When I saw my friend Melissa Giattino make her Broadway debut in the revival of 42nd Street, I fell in love with this glitzy new musical that celebrates the old art of “puttin’ on a show.” Watching everyone tap their way around the stage made me a little jealous; I knew I didn’t have the skills to pull off dancing like that, but (always being one to rise to a challenge) I decided to learn! After about six months of private tap lessons with Melissa, I felt ready to try out my new moves . . . and I booked the role of tapping tenor “Billy Lawlor” in beautiful Hilton Head, South Carolina. This is a dream role that I’d like to play again!   Click on this link to visit the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina website.

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The Audition: Andy Lee (Roger Preston Smith) leads the dancers through their final audition for the new musical Pretty Lady.

Young and Healthy: Peggy Sawyer (Neka Zang) tries to get into the chorus of the new musical Pretty Lady.

A Match Made in Heaven: Abner Dillon (Larry Gaynes) and Dorothy Brock (Julie Hahn).

Andy Lee (Roger Preston Smith) keeps the kids under control.

Shadow Waltz: Dorothy Brock (Julie Hahn) plays with her shadows during a rehearsal of Pretty Lady.

Go Into Your Dance: Phyllis (Jackie Comisar), Lorraine (Robin Levine), Peggy (Neka Zang) and Annie (Stevi Van Meter) start to strut their stuff.

You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me: Dorothy Brock (Julie Hahn) and Billy Lawlor rehearse the Boardwalk scene from Pretty Lady.

Billy takes Peggy (Neka Zang) to Dorothy Brock’s dressing room to recover from her fainting spell.

Dames Part One: Billy Lawlor leads the ensemble men through a rehearsal of a signature production number.

Dames Part Two: Billy and the girls present Dames during a final dress rehearsal.

I Know Now: Billy and the girls show off for the preview audiences in Philadelphia.

There’s a Sunny Side to Ev’ry Situation: The chorus kids (Robin Levine, Dante Sciarra, Jenny Florkowski, Jacob Thornhill, Stevi Van Meter, Keith Coughlin, Jackie Comisar and John Cormier) come up with a plan.

Lullaby of Broadway: Julian Marsh (Michael Scott) tries to lure Peggy (Neka Zang) back to the boards.

Lullaby of Broadway: Billy Lawlor (that’s me), Bert (Bill Bateman), Andy Lee (Roger Preston Smith) and Julian Marsh (Michael Scott) woo Peggy with their tight harmonies.

Lullaby of Broadway: The whole cast of Pretty Lady joins in to get Peggy (Neka Zang) back in the show.

About a Quarter to Nine: Dorothy Brock (Julie Hahn) and Peggy Sawyer (Neka Zang) sing together.

Shuffle Off to Buffalo: Bert (Bill Bateman) discovers something is different about his new wife.

Shuffle Off to Buffalo: Maggie Jones (Marilyn Farina) sings to the audience.

Shuffle Off to Buffalo: Anytime Annie (Stevi Van Meter) and Bert (Bill Bateman).

The 42nd Street Ballet: Peggy Sawyer (Neka Zang) takes center stage.

The 42nd Street Ballet: Peggy Sawyer (Neka Zang) and Billy Lawlor.

The 42nd Street Ballet: Peggy Sawyer (Neka Zang) joins the crowds in New York City.

Am I Really A Star?: Billy and Peggy (Neka Zang) talk after opening night of Pretty Lady.

 
 

THE ISLAND PACKET, 5/02/2003 by Louise Causey Lewis   Hypnotic rhythms, catchy melodies, clever lyrics, luscious costumes, dramatic lighting, spectacular dancing and snappy dialogue -- these are but a few of the reasons 42nd Street is a classic, and wonderful, Broadway musical. Under the able direction of Casey Colgan, the award-winning show opened a monthlong local run at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.   Backed by a strong supporting cast, the leading roles in the local production are all strong and brilliantly cast. Julie Hahn...is the quintessential Dorothy Brock, an aging Broadway diva with glamour and class, who has been cast in the starring role for the new Broadway production Pretty Lady. Costume designer Jennifer Correll pulled out all the stops when robing Hahn, displaying her tall angular frame to perfection and showcasing her strong facial planes with dramatic hats and headpieces. Hahn’s mere appearance on stage in one of these deliciously outlandish costumes has an immediate effect on the audience. She dives into the role with glee, balancing both the comic and tender aspects of her character. She dominates the first act, grabbing the action with an unforgettable “Shadow Waltz” and closing it with a broken ankle and the prospect of a canceled show.   Act II, though, belongs to young Peggy Sawyer, played by Neka Zang. She is the fresh-faced young kid from Allentown, Pa., who can sing and dance rings around anyone else in the show. Of course she can step in and save the show. But even with these two talented female leads, the real star of the show is dance itself, and a strong ensemble is a must.   Choreographer Mark Santoro has generally followed the Broadway original, downsizing for a smaller cast. The ensemble numbers are polished and professional, and the large-scale production numbers resemble a well-oiled machine. The dancers are enthusiastic and confident, tapping their way through “We’re in the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” and “Shuffle off to Buffalo,” and executing an intricate and exciting “Forty-Second Street Ballet.”   Ron DeStefano is the young male lead for both 42nd Street and Pretty Lady, the play within the play. He plays Peggy’s love interest in Pretty Lady and pursues her in 42nd Street, from her first arrival on the scene. DeStefano is talented and polished as a dancer and a vocalist. His clear lyric tenor soars effortlessly throughout the score, and he even helps producer Julian out with a tricky high note that is just out of range. As Billy, he approaches his role of “The Tenor” with self-effacing good humor.   Marilyn Farina and Bill Bateman give strong performances in their supporting roles of Maggie and Bert, the composer and lyricist of the show Pretty Lady, and Bateman brings down the house with his performance in “Shuffle off to Buffalo.”