Barry Manilow’s Musical ‘Harmony’ Opens On Broadway

Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s new musical Harmony debuted on November 13 after previews began on October 18 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

The musical is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Warren Carlyle, who is known for his work on The Music Man and Hello, Dolly!

Set in Berlin in 1927, Harmony tells the true story of The Comedian Harmonists, a group of talented young men who form an ensemble group. Their rise to fame is extraordinary as they sell millions of records, star in major films and perform in renowned theaters worldwide. However, by 1935, they mysteriously vanished from the spotlight. Harmony explores the peculiar disappearance of the group.

The production boasts a sensational cast of Broadway favorites, including Sierra Boggess, known for her performance in The Phantom of the Opera, Julie Benko from Funny Girl and Chip Zien, known for his role in Into the Woods.

In 1997, a world premiere was staged at the La Jolla Playhouse in California, originally directed by David Warren. A pre-Broadway tryout was announced in 2003 at Philadelphia’s Forrest Theatre but was canceled because of financial issues.

In 2013, the musical re-emerged as a co-production at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre and Los Angeles’ Center Theatre Group. This won the LA Drama Critics Circle Award and was transferred to an Off-Broadway run at the Theatre Folsbiene in 2022. This performance earned nominations for Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Award, and won the Best New Musical Award from the Off-Broadway Alliance.

Manilow recently discussed his reasons for coming out in 2017 at 73.