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Video: The HARMONY Creative Team Celebrates Opening Night
May 16, 2024
It was a big night yesterday at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. That because Harmony, Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's decades-in-the-making new musical, official took its first Broadway bow. In this video, we're taking you inside the big night!
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0:00
Hello, I'm Richard Ridge for Broadway World
0:02
Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's musical Harmony has come to Broadway, and we're here on Opening Night to celebrate with the company
0:11
It is opening night. You've made it to Broadway. How does it feel tonight
0:16
Overwhelming. Yeah, I don't really know what to feel. It's, we've been, this road has been so long that now that it's here
0:26
I don't even know whether I'm excited or not. It's kind of, Numbing
0:32
Yeah, it's a lot coming at us, and it's thrilling, and it's, I'm still in a little bit of disbelief
0:39
I'm looking at our pictures over there. I said, what are our pictures doing on the wall over there
0:44
I mean, it's a little, we're in shock. This is such an important musical
0:50
I always say timing is everything. I know you've worked on this for a long time
0:53
but it is so right for right now. Tell me why you think that
0:58
Too bad. Yes. Yes. too bad and maybe this show will give the audience a little a little rest from the headlines
1:08
also because the show is not deadly serious It very funny full of loads of great music and a lot of talent on the stage Yeah
1:21
No, it's resonating more than ever. And there are lines that are getting a response that didn't get a response two years ago
1:29
only because the headlines are outpacing us. And it's extraordinary. People think, I fear that people think we wrote to the headlines, and those lines are 10, 15, 20 years old
1:39
Last night, they actually applauded on lines that they never applauded for
1:45
And you know it's because of what's going on. What an incredible cast you had put together for this show with Warren Carlyle
1:52
What that means to the two of you. Well, you know, getting a director for this was a real important thing
2:01
And we found the right guy for this show. Warren loved it years ago when we saw
2:09
started and he jumped in and you can tell that he loves this show as he created it for us
2:23
The cast is the cast of our dreams. I mean Chip Sierra Julie the six amazing young talents five of whom are making their Broadway debuts tonight It astonishing Hey wait a minute six of us seven of us Say you out
2:36
We're not on stage. What's made this so special for you with working on Harvard
2:42
You know, I think one of the things for me is partnering with Bruce Sussman and Barry Manilow
2:46
I mean, what better partners to be with them, we've known each other for 30 years
2:50
So, I mean, to really be back with them, to be directing this show
2:54
it's a dream come true. I just love it. Just being in the room, the three of you
2:58
created this musical, what that's meant to you? Oh, it's meant the world
3:02
It's meant the world. I mean, Barry's music is so beautiful and so emotional
3:06
and Bruce's words are sharp as a scalpel, you know. It's just, it's a beautiful marriage
3:11
Let's talk about how important this musical is for right now. It's incredible
3:16
I mean, it's incredible to do this musical that was written 30 years ago in this particular time in history
3:21
and to gently hold a mirror up to our audiences and say this can never happen again
3:27
It's very powerful for all of us. And working with this company
3:31
Oh, I love them. I love this group of actors. They're spectacular
3:34
We have 20 Broadway debuts this evening. It's really an amazing night
3:41
I can speak It been a trail for 31 years When Bruce and I went to Germany to acquire the rights 1991 and it taken a long time
3:53
But we're here. Let's talk about the importance of this story, why you wanted to tell it
3:58
and why it's so important for right now. You know, it's appropriate for now
4:04
but it's been appropriate forever. It's about six guys who became like brothers
4:09
and didn't understand why. why everybody couldn't be like brothers. And in today's world, I think it's a universal message
4:17
Why can't we all get along? And how exciting it is to have it on Broadway right now
4:22
Oh, yeah, it's pretty exciting. I'm going to break into tears. You've got to stop
4:26
And I'm just thrilled that they're still remembered so many years after
4:31
My grandfather's career was cut very short, and he said, don't feel sorry for us because I lived a lifetime
4:40
in seven years, but I wish he had stuck around and had a longer career and, you know
4:47
and Nazis came along and it was a catastrophe. This is such an honor for them, don't you think
4:55
Absolutely, absolutely, and if he were here, he would be thrilled by the attention
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