Four Years Later…

While Lyric’s production of MANN… AND WIFE is the World Premiere, this musical has been “under construction” for many years now. On February 2nd and 3rd 2012, Douglas J. Cohen and Dan Elish saw the first New York staged reading of What’s the Matter with Henry?, which would become what is now MANN… AND WIFE (also formerly known as NINE WIVES). This reading featured many Broadway stars including Heidi Blickenstaff (SOMETHING ROTTEN!), Andrew Kober (LES MISERABLES, SHE LOVES ME), Patti Murin (LYSISTRATA JONES, XANADU), and Sarah Stiles (HAND TO GOD, AVENUE Q). The role of Henry was played by Zachary Prince (HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, JERSEY BOYS) who is currently starring in Lyric’s fully fledged production!

Sarah Stiles, Douglas J. Cohen, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Zachary Prince. (2012) Photo Courtesy of Douglas J. Cohen

Sarah Stiles, Dan Elish, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Zachary Prince. (2012) Photo Courtesy of Douglas J. Cohen

Four years later, MANN… AND WIFE is getting its first fully-staged production, thus making Lyric’s production the World Premiere. It can take a long time to get a musical up on its feet, and even after a World Premiere, changes might be made. In March of this year, MANN… AND WIFE will be performed in concert at Feinstein’s/54 Below, one of New York’s hottest supper clubs, before continuing on in the performance industry. Who knows, four years from now it could be on Broadway!