(CNN) –– Succeeding in New York is the great dream of thousands of people and that illusion is behind a new Broadway musical.
With words and music by John Kander and Fred Ebb ––the legendary composers of the “Chicago” and “Cabaret” soundtracks–– and additional lyrics by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, “New York, New York ” dates back to 1946 to celebrate the strength and diversity that have always defined the city that never sleeps and where so many want to shine.
“New York is always going through and recovering from a war, in one way or another, but it is also the greatest social experiment the world has ever seen. Everyone lives here and everyone’s natural enemy lives here and they don’t kill each other. That’s true, and I’ve always loved that idea and celebrated it,” Kander told CNN during a special presentation of the musical to the press.
This show was born out of a special friendship between Kander and Miranda.
“John Kander was one of my first friends on Broadway, one of the people I met when we staged “In the Heights” in 2007. He came to see the show when it was off-Broadway, took me to lunch, and we started a conversation that still continues. we’re not done,” Miranda said.
“Then I invited him to write a song with me for a project related to “Hamilton”, and he called me a couple of years later to see if he could use that song in something new that he was doing, which was called “New York, New York”. I saw the rehearsals and the presentation, and what they have done is truly incredible, ”he added.
That song, “Cheering For Me Now,” is the opening theme of this musical set in 1946 and revolves around the love story between Francine Evans, a determined young woman who arrives in New York after World War II. with aspirations to be a singer, and the disillusioned musician Jimmy Doyle.
“For me, what’s so special about this play is seeing what New York can bring to people who didn’t start here. It gives people a second chance, it allows you to become who you are meant to be in the world,” said actress Anna Uzele, who plays Francine Evans.
Uzele arrived in New York five years ago, ready to fulfill her musical dream. Just like her character.
“Francine Evans is from Philadelphia, she arrives in New York City during the summer of 1946, and all she has is a dream. She wants to be a singer, that’s all she knows, and her whole journey is of people doubting her and doubting that dream and telling her she can’t, while some tell her she can and others just get in the way.” Uzele said, admitting that as an actress and singer looking to make it on Broadway she identifies with that story.
For Ryan Colton, who plays Jimmy Doyle, working with two theater legends is more than he ever imagined.
“I have always said that John Kander is someone who brought dignity to the theater, and the reason I am here. And Lin-Manuel I think she saved him. He has brought this art back to the masses. He has made it relevant and cool again, and has literally helped so many of us get ahead. So to work with the two of them and then sing their music, their lyrics, it’s unbelievable, unimaginable,” said Colton.
Latino culture also shines in “New York, New York”
In addition, the musical highlights another unique aspect of the city: its extraordinary diversity.
“The diversity of New York that they’ve put together, the representation that’s there in this play, I really wanted to be a part of that,” Miranda said.
“It is part of me, of my responsibility as a creator. I really started writing plays because I wanted to act in musicals and I didn’t see those roles for myself, I didn’t see those opportunities,” added Miranda, who has dedicated much of her career to creating those artistic opportunities for Latinos and other minorities.
In this work, Latino culture is seen and felt through music. The rhythms of mambo and Latin jazz flow from the stage and drive these stories of Hispanic immigrants who come to the city in search of a better life.
“We are cultivating a story that is very important for our people and for this time,” said Janet Dacal, an actress who plays Sofía Díaz, a character of a Cuban mother inspired by her own mother.
“I’m crazy for her to come see this show because she’s going to see her clearly, clearly, on stage. Either she’s going to be offended or she’s going to love it, one of the two things, I don’t know, but I’ve been telling her since they gave me this part. The sayings he says, the way he acts, his faith, all the real things of our people will see on stage, and we can say what we have gone through in this country, it is very beautiful and very strong to interpret that in a stage on Broadway,” Dacal said.
“Latinos have always been here and I feel so proud that this work, with such great collaborators as Susan Stroman, truly represents our Latinidad, represents our city and New York with the “ñ” above it,” emphasized Miranda.
The work shows a New York where everyone comes looking for three things: music, money and love.
“Of all the cities in the United States, New York is the one where people come to change their lives and to succeed. We are always looking for that great chord of music, money and love. It’s what our characters are looking for, and as New Yorkers, I think we understand that it’s hard to get all three,” said Susan Stroman, director and choreographer of “New York, New York.”
“New York, New York” will be presented at the St. James Theater beginning March 24.
