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“Yank! A WWII Love Story” Will Move To Broadway Next Season

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Rick Miramontez / Jaron Caldwell
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FOR RELEASE ON THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2010

“ Y A N K ! A WWII LOVE STORY ”
WILL MOVE TO BROADWAY NEXT SEASON

NEW MUSICAL ENDS EXTENDED ENGAGEMENT
THIS WEEK AT YORK THEATRE COMPANY


New York, NY – The producers of Yank! A WWII Love Story have announced today that the new musical by Joseph and David Zellnik will move to Broadway during the coming 2010-11 Season. The current Off-Broadway production of Yank!, presented by The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), will end its extended run this week (Sunday, April 4) as one of biggest hits in The York’s 41-year history.

The commercial co-producers of the current production of Yank! are Maren Berthelsen, Pamela Koslow, Stuart Wilk, Matt Schicker, Hugh Hayes, Jim Kierstead, Sondra Healy and Shidan Majidi. Joining the team for the Broadway production will be Karl Held, one of the producers of the recent revival of Ragtime earlier this season.

“We’re thrilled with the entire run at the York — from the record-breaking advance sales to the sold-out run and extension to the sensational critical and audience response. Now we’re eager to bring Yank! to an even larger audience,” said co-producer Stuart Wilk.

“We’re encouraged by the success of other non-traditional musicals on Broadway. And while we’re not an overtly political musical, we’re mindful of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ moving to the center of the national discussion. There has never been a better time on Broadway for a singing, dancing, tapping wartime love story that just happens to be about two GIs,” Wilk said.

“It's a universal story that has been embraced by audiences of all ages and orientations, that speaks to everybody. We believe there is no one who has seen Yank! who does not come away touched in some way.”

Said James Morgan of the York: “We’re delighted to have helped this show on its way. It’s exactly the kind of literate, intimate musical theatre we have become known for producing and we look forward to watching it continue to blossom on its way to Broadway.”

Yank! began performances at The York Theatre at Saint Peter’s on February 16th with an opening night on February 24th, and its SRO engagement was extended by popular demand. Prior to its Off-Broadway premiere, Yank! had productions at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, CA and The Gallery Players in Brooklyn, NY.

Directed by Igor Goldin, the York Theatre Company production features a cast that includes Nancy Anderson, Jeffry Denman, Ivan Hernandez and Bobby Steggert. Also in the cast are Andrew Durand, Zak Edwards, Todd Faulkner, Denis Lambert, Joseph Medeiros, David Perlman, Christopher Ruth and Tally Sessions.

Set during World War II, Yank! chronicles the relationship between two servicemen long before ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ was part of the national discussion. With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940s, Yank! captures the spirit and exuberance of the era as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival.

Honors for Yank! include a GLAAD Media Award nomination, a NYMF Audience Award for Best Musical and the New York Innovative Theater Award for Outstanding Musical Production.

Additional news about the Broadway production of Yank! will be announced soon.

Praise for The York Theatre Company’s Yank!:

“Yank! is the most intriguing new American musical to reach New York in several seasons…. A bright and enjoyable score that pays homage to the Rodgers & Hammerstein sound … an original and moving winner of a musical.”
– Steven Suskin, Variety

“Yank! could be the best original musical so far [this season]. If there’s any justice, it will have a life beyond the run at the York Theatre. I’m not asking, I’m telling: Go see Yank!”
– David Cote, NY1

“Affectionately nostalgic! Twelve engaging actors and a small band
are making some kind of history at the York!”
– Jeremy Gerard, Bloomberg

“Supremely entertaining! Unabashedly romantic, and quite funny!”
– Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press

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