Encores! 2023
Mar 15 – 19, 2023
Tickets start at $35
Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission
Wed – Fri | 7:30pm
Sat 2 & 8pm | Sun 2 & 7pm
“A blissed-out concert production”
—The New York Times
With its premiere in 1969, Dear World made Jerry Herman the first composer-lyricist in history to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway, each centered around a uniquely larger-than-life leading lady. But while the names Dolly Levi (Hello, Dolly!) and Mame Dennis (Mame) are familiar to all theater lovers, Dear World’s Countess Aurelia—a fabulous relic of fin-de-siecle Paris struggling to save her way of life—might not be as recognizable, despite the fact that the role won Angela Lansbury her second Tony Award after Mame.
Now, two-time Tony winner Donna Murphy (Encores! Anyone Can Whistle) triumphantly revives this loveable heroine alongside Brooks Ashmanskas (President), Andréa Burns (Constance), Ben Fankhauser (Lawyer 3), Christopher Fitzgerald (Sewerman), Ann Harada (Gabrielle), Kody Jauron (Artiste), Phillip Johnson Richardson (Julian), Stanley Wayne Mathis (Prospector), Caesar Samayoa (Laywer 2), and Samantha Williams (Nina). Directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes—a veteran Herman interpreter who helmed 2019’s Encores! Mack & Mabel—this tuneful fable features zany plotlines, boldly drawn characters, and a deep undercurrent of environmental awareness: a singular revival you won’t want to miss.
Dear World is part of the 2023 Encores! season, our beloved, Tony-honored series of musical theater revivals helmed by Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, Producing Creative Director Clint Ramos, and Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell.
Check out the rest of the season: Lionel Bart’s Oliver! (May 3 – 14) and The Light in the Piazza (Jun 21 – 25).
Interested in VIP seats? Join the President’s Council starting at $2,500 and receive access to premium seats and other special benefits throughout the season. Please call 212.763.1257 or email PresidentsCouncil@NYCityCenter.org for more information.
Casting and programming subject to change.
Critic’s Pick: Review: In ‘Dear World,’ Donna Murphy Leads a Righteous March
—The New York Times
Brooks Ashmanskas
Giuseppe Bausilio
Andréa Burns
Ben Fankhauser
Christopher Fitzgerald
Ann Harada
Kody Jauron
Phillip Johnson Richardson
Donna Murphy
Stanley Wayne Mathis
Caesar Samayoa
Samantha Williams
Darlesia Cearcy
Cicily Daniels
Brian Flores
Blair Goldberg
Andrea Jones-Sojola
Aaron Kaburick
Eddie Korbich
Josh Lamon
Will Mann
Manna Nichols
Emilie Renier
Phumzile Sojola
Jessica Tyler Wright
Franca Vercelloni
Kathy Voytko
Patrick Wetzel
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
Based on The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux as adapted by Maurice Valency
Scenic Designer Paul Tate dePoo III
Costume Designer Toni Leslie James
Hair & Wig Designer Matthew Armentrout
Lighting Designer Amith Chandrashaker
Sound Designer Scott Lehrer
Casting by The Telsey Office
Production Stage Manager Cynthia Cahill
Music Coordinator Kimberlee Wertz
Concert Adaptation Sandy Rustin
Orchestrations by Philip J. Lang
Featuring The Encores! Orchestra
Vocal Arrangements Don Pippin
Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Directed and Choreographed by Josh Rhodes
Featuring Brooks Ashmanskas, Giuseppe Bausilio, Andréa Burns, Ben Fankhauser, Christopher Fitzgerald, Ann Harada, Kody Jauron, Phillip Johnson Richardson, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Donna Murphy, Caesar Samayoa, and Samantha Williams.
With Darlesia Cearcy, Cicily Daniels, Brian Flores, Blair Goldberg, Aaron Kaburick, Eddie Korbich, Josh Lamon, Will Mann, Manna Nichols, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Phumzile Sojola, Jessica Tyler Wright, Franca Vercelloni, Kathy Voytko, and Patrick Wetzel.
Encores! Artistic Leadership
Lear deBessonet | Artistic Director
Mary-Mitchell Campbell | Music Director
Clint Ramos | Producing Creative Director
Josh Clayton | Director of Music Administration & Score Restoration
Adrian Alea | Creative Associate
Creative Advisors
Camille A. Brown, Eisa Davis, and Robert O'Hara
Producer of Musical Theater
Jenny Gersten
For nearly 30 years we’ve watched our Encores! series bring a community together through a shared love of song and dance. Please consider making a gift today to support this beloved series.
LEADERSHIP SUPPORT FOR ENCORES!
Stacey and Eric Mindich Fund for Musical Theater
MAJOR SUPPORT FOR NEW YORK CITY CENTER
ENCORES! SEASON SPONSORS
Roz and Jerry Meyer
The Shubert Foundation
Stephanie and Fred Shuman Fund for Encores!
Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ENCORES! IS PROVIDED BY
Margot and John Ernst
Marta Heflin Foundation
The Kaplen Brothers Fund
The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation
The Frederick Loewe Foundation
Daryl and Steven Roth
The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc
The SHS Foundation
The Ted Snowdon Foundation
LIONEL BART'S OLIVER!
May 3 – 14, 2023
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
NEW DATES: Jun 21 – 25, 2023