GARDENDALE — A Broadway classic will be coming to Gardendale High School next month in a production of “42nd Street.”

The cast met on Thursday evening to rehearse their roles and practice performing classic songs such as “We’re in the Money” and “Lullaby of Broadway.”

The story of “42nd Street” is about hopeful actress Peggy Sawyer trying to break into Broadway in the 1930s. Along the way she meets others already in the scene.

A production was done on Broadway in 1980 that was based on the 1933 film, which in turn was based on a novel by Michael Stewart. It is regarded as one of the most famous musicals in the country and has won the Tony Award. The upcoming production of “42nd Street” at Gardendale High is sponsored by the Gardendale Arts Council and the city.

“For some 15 years, productions have been successfully presented by the Arts Council with the support of previous and current mayors and councils, including our current mayor and the city council,” said Larry York, chair of the Gardendale Arts Council. “The goal continues to provide quality performances for citizens within the city of Gardendale and surrounding areas.”

The play’s stage director, Andrew Duxberry, has been involved in theater since the 1970s. He said directing a musical is different from directing a play because there are much more elements to a musical that those involved have to balance, such as dance, acting, production and, of course, music.  

“One of the biggest challenges is making sure that we have committed cast members,” he said. “It’s a lot of work to do a show of this size. It takes a lot of rehearsal hours, many more rehearsal hours than a play without music because you have to learn all the musical numbers and you have to stage them and you have to do the chorography.”

Recent UAB graduate Brian Denton will be the play’s music director.

“As a music director it’s my job to prepare the chorus and the ensemble and principles of the musical to get them [the actors] ready for their roles,” said Denton. “During the show I’ll be directing the orchestra and the singers on stage, so it’s a lot of work but it’s a lot of fun and we have a great, great cast. It’s going to be a great show.”

Erin Hutson, who is playing the main character, Peggy Sawyer, likened “42nd Street” to today’s economic climate.

“It’s really great to step back into an era that we’re not in now, back in a time where musical existed just to make people happy,” she said.”And I hope that’s what we do when people come watch it. This musical is great. It’s so relevant to things today. It’s really fun to have a parallel with today and yesterday in such a fun and unique way.”

Mt. Olive resident Buddy Cannon, who has acted in local plays, is playing Julian Marsh, a washed-up Broadway director that is trying to get back to the stage.

“I enjoy it and it’s a nice outlet and a nice service that you can give to everybody else,” said Cannon on acting and providing entertainment for the public.

The play will premiere on July 13-15 at 7:30 p.m., with the last showing on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger.