After beginning performances September 23, Brooklyn opened on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre October 21, 2005. The production played 27 preview and 284 performances before closing on June 26, 2005.
Brooklyn tells the story of the City Weeds, five homeless musicians who band together to transform their neighborhood beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The City Weeds share the story of Brooklyn—a Parisian singer—in addition to their own stories. Orphaned after her mother’s death, Brooklyn travels to the United States in search of her father and the life she always dreamed of.
The original production starred Drama League nominee Eden Espinosa (Rent, Wicked) as Brooklyn, Tony winner Karen Olivo (Moulin Rouge!, In the Heights) as Faith, Ramona Keller (The Public Theater’s Hercules, City Center’s Little Shop of Horrors) as Paradice, Kevin Anderson (Come Back, Little Sheba) as Taylor Collins, Cleavant Derricks (Dreamgirls) as Street Singer, and Manoel Felciano (To Kill a Mockingbird), Caren Lyn Manuel (Hair), and Haneefah Wood (Avenue Q) as vocalists with Julie Reiber and Horace V. Rogers as swings.
With original direction by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Big River), Brooklyn is written by Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson. The production featured scenic design by Ray Klausen, costume and associate scenic design by Tobin Ost, lighting design by Michael Gilliam, and sound design by Jonathan Deans and Peter Hylenski. For the complete cast and creative team, visit PlaybillVault.com/Brooklyn.
