Tony Winner Preps for "Minsky's"
By Chris Carpenter
Beth Leavel won a boatload of theatre awards, including a Tony, for originating the title role in “The Drowsy Chaperone.” The hilarious musical had its world premiere in Los Angeles prior to its Broadway debut. The creative team behind “The Drowsy Chaperone” is hoping lightning strikes twice, as their new musical “Minsky’s” will have its world premiere Jan. 21 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles before moving to New York.
Based on the 1968 movie The Night They Raided Minsky’s, the play, according to the advance publicity, is “a big, racy, romantic musical comedy set in Depression Era New York City.” Set in Minsky’s, a burlesque hall “where profit margins are as skimpy as the costumes,” the show features a score by Broadway legend Charles Strouse (“Bye Bye Birdie,” “Annie”) and Susan Birkenhead (“Jelly’s Last Jam,” “Triumph of Love”). In addition to Leavel, the show’s great cast includes Christopher Fitzgerald — who originated the role of Boq in “Wicked” and currently stars as Igor in Broadway’s “Young Frankenstein” — as well as Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live) and George Wendt (Cheers).
Prior to her acclaimed turn in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Leavel played such iconic roles as Miss Hannigan in “Annie” and Dorothy Brock in “42nd Street.” She currently is starring on Broadway as another classic character, Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein.”
Of “Young Frankenstein,” Leavel said, “It’s such a fun show and I’m so grateful to have a job [especially in these difficult economic times.]” (At press time, the expensive “Young Frankenstein” was scheduled to close Jan. 4.)
In “Minsky’s,” Leavel plays Maise. “She’s [lead character] Billy Minsky’s right-hand gal, a performer and former dancer and now kind of the heart of the burlesque house,” she said. The actress confided that while her role in “The Drowsy Chaperone” remains her favorite, “Maise is the character closest to me.”
Although “Minsky’s” is based on a movie, Leavel calls it “a true original,” adding that the “score is breathtaking; it has huge dance numbers and covers a fascinating time in American and entertainment history: burlesque.” She also raved about the costumes designed for the musical by Gregg Barnes.
The actress is clearly thrilled to be working again with choreographer-director Casey Nicholaw and author Bob Martin after their mutual success with “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
“They provide such a safety net, these talented people,” Leavel said. “I jumped at the chance to work with them again.”
Leavel gave high marks to the theater scene in Southern California. “I also wanted to do ‘Minsky’s’ out of loyalty to everyone at the Ahmanson Theatre, who was so supportive of ‘The Drowsy Chaperone.’ It’s also a beautiful theater.”
Working with composer Charles Strouse was a dream, Leavel said. “He is such a dear and such a legend,” she averred. “It is a pleasure and honor to work with him. Every day, I’m like a star-struck student.” She is particularly fond of one of the songs Strouse and Birkenhead have written for Maise, an anthem “about how the theater is our home” that she sings at the end of the play’s first act.
“Minsky’s” no doubt will have broad appeal to the LGBT community versus general theatergoers, Leavel said. “I can’t really differentiate; it’s a very human story that appeals to everyone’s heart,” she added. “There isn’t a specific gay angle yet; but, since it is still in development, things could change.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.centertheatregroup.org or call (213) 628-2772.