Back in 1971 when New York City was rundown, dirty, and seemingly in an irreversible tailspin, songwriters Helen Miller and Eve Merriam put together a Broadway revue that dared to laugh at the city’s tribulations and celebrate its strengths.

Inner City, subtitled A Street Cantata, wound up running less than three months, but it produced an original cast album, won featured actress Linda Hopkins a Tony Award, and, now, is getting a New York City re-hearing of its score.

Original Broadway cast member Allan Nicholls (Hair) will make a guest appearance as host of the August 17 concert performance of the score at Feinstein’s/54 Below cabaret in Manhattan, just a few block from Henry Miller’s Theatre (now the Stephen Sondheim Theatre) where the original production ran.

The score included “The Brave Old City of New York,” “Urban Renewal,” “Summer Nights,” “The Great If,” and Hopkins singing “Deep in the Night.”

Nicholls will be joined by Annie Golden (Orange Is the New Black), Yolanda Wyns (The Color Purple), Lauren Elder (Side Show, Hair), C.E. Smith (The Full Monty), Ray Shell (The Bodyguard), Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Dionne Carole, Elisa Galindez, Sarah Kowalski, and Erika Xiomara Reyes.

There will be two performances, at 7 and 9:30 PM at the club, located at 254 West 54th Street. Tickets cost $30–$80, plus a $25 food/beverage minimum, and can be ordered here.

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