Commentary: 'Rainbow' makes a welcome arc from 'Encores!' series to Broadway

April 09, 2009 Next to the positive impression made by the new "Hair" at the Al Hirschfeld -- the reaction has been very warm in very chilly Manhattan -- the strongest word-of-mouth wafting through the city centers is for the recent "Encores!" resurrection of "Finian's Rainbow," which played to sold-out houses during its too-brief City Center run of four days and five performances. The travel route from "Encores!" to Broadway did wonders for Kander & Ebb's "Chicago," which started on the City Center stage in 1996 before moving to the Main Stem. It's still in business after 12 years (13 in November), having started at the Richard Rodgers, then moving to the Shubert and now ensconced at the Ambassador.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.