A HELLUVA STROLL IN THE PARK

THE BRONX is up, but the Battery’s down . . . in Regent’s Park. The Manhattan street grid will be shoe-horned onto the stage of the Open Air Theatre when the musical On The Town opens there on May 19.

The show, which premiered on Broadway in 1944, boasts the high energy of Leonard Bernstein’s music, coupled with a deliciously witty book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It’s a salute to New York (yes, it’s a helluva town).

Songs include the aforementioned New York, New York; Come Up To My Place and Some Other Time.

Timothy Sheader, artistic director of the Open Air Theatre, said the forthcoming musical will feature dance numbers galore, which will please Regent’s Park regulars.

On The Town will launch the venue’s new season, which includes the return of Sheader’s electrifying production of Jesus Christ Superstar (for just 41 performances) from August 11.

The show — which Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber went to see, twice — won the Evening Standard/Radio Two best musical award last Sunday.

And Tyrone Huntley who played Judas, collected the prize for best emerging talent (as luck would have it, Huntley’s awardwinning gifts will be on display in Dreamgirls, which begins previewing at the Savoy Theatre tomorrow night).

Drew McOnie (pictured), who choreographed Jesus Christ Superstar, will direct and choreograph On The Town; and Sheader was clearly pleased to have secured his services.

‘It’s a perfect fit for him,’ he said. ‘It’s an amazing, big, New York comedy.’ He noted that McOnie wants On The Town to be ‘as modern as possible’ — but the tale of three U.S. sailors who hit New York on 24-hour shore leave determined to see the sights, and meet three women, will remain set in 1944.

A 1949 film version starred Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin. Casting has not yet begun for the Regent’s Park iteration.

The season also includes an adaption of Charles Dickens’s A Tale Of Two Cities by Matthew Dunster (directed by Sheader) which will run from July 7; as well as Oliver Twist, Created For Everyone Aged Six And Over. Caroline Byrne will direct this version by Anya Reiss.

Sheader hopes the show will ‘encourage people, of any age, to make their first visit to the theatre’.