About the Show

'Cagney' follows the actor from his humble beginnings through his rise as a vaudeville song-and-dance man, to his superstardom in Hollywood.

James Cagney could do it all – a dramatic new musical that follows the life of the legendary James Cagney from the streets of New York to his rise as one of the brightest stars of Hollywood, from a vaudeville song-and-dance man to the cinema's original tough guy. Broadway's Robert Creighton, in the role he was born to play, leads a cast of six who tap dance through a score that blends original music with classic George M. Cohan favorites, including "Give My Regards To Broadway," "Grand Old Flag," and "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

Critic Reviews (51)

"It is amazing that a show that was mediocre can improve with time and experience. This is the case of 'Cagney'..Director Castellino has honed the dramatic moments and now the brilliant choreography shines...This is obviously a star vehicle for Creighton, who does make an impression...Bravo to the cast, crew and producers...For a good, old-fashioned, enjoyable time, 'Cagney' is a Yankee Doodle Dandy."
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"Robert Creighton is a revelation in this role. His performance sets the entire stage ablaze…I can’t think that there is anyone who could create a more earnest and loving portrayal than Creighton. Aiding in his performance, and certainly the show overall, is Bill Castellino’s masterful direction…The book by Peter Colley is smart and witty, laugh-out-loud funny, and heartbreakingly true…All the actors on the stage were extraordinary, creating complete and distinctly different characters."
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"What a fun show I have for you, it’s a winner, ‘Cagney’ is a must. Robert Creighton playing Cagney couldn’t be better…In this insightful and surprising musical journey, a brand-new original score filled with show-stopping song and dancer numbers is augmented by George M. Cohan songs...The very talented Creighton leads a cast of six in this fantastic new musical...It is my choice for the best Off-Broadway performance."
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"Creighton plays Cagney and seems born for the role. A strong dancer and singer, he was a joy to watch...This cast of extremely strong dancers sure know how to work hard...Some of the strongest moments in 'Cagney' are the many dance numbers, with an emphasis on some really fun strong tap routines...This cast is truly in sync with the orchestra and has a seamless flow from song to song and scene to scene...If you like musical theater, film history and James Cagney, this is the show for you."
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For a previous production

"The intimate Theater at St. Peter’s lends a cabaret feel to the production, which has a pleasantly cartoonish revue vibe...There’s nothing even remotely convincing about the cast members who double as stars of yesteryear like Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Errol Flynn and Bob Hope. But when the same actors put on their tap shoes, you may want to buy war bonds."
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For a previous production

"While Creighton doesn’t quite possess the uncanny indifference to gravity that Cagney had, he does a more than creditable job of re-creating his Yankee Doodle Dandy numbers. He and the whole cast are real hoofers in the grand Hollywood tradition of hoofing. You haven’t seen tap-dancing like this in a long while and you’re not likely to see it again any time soon...The whole production lives up to its Hollywood antecedents."
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For a previous production

"Boiling all the ups and downs of a celebrity’s life into a couple of tuneful hours is tough, but the biggest challenge is finding a performer who can convincingly channel the star...Creighton smartly avoids impersonation and lets some of his own personality shine through...Yes, Peter Colley's book is predictable, and the old-fashioned numbers aren’t as catchy as the standards...But the crackerjack cast nails exhilarating tap routines while committing to the emotional core of the story."
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For a previous production

"...don’t go expecting an incisive, enthralling character study...'Cagney' is a 1930s Warner Brothers movie musical — vellum-thin escapist entertainment for a stressed-out world battling economic depression."
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