Theater Review: ‘New York, New York’: Lots of Heart, but It Tries Too Hard

The protagonists of "New York, New York," Jimmy (Colton Ryan) and Francine (Anna Uzele). Paul Kolnik

NEW YORK—On paper, the Broadway musical “New York, New York” has the makings of a sure-fire hit. Yet for all its possibilities, the show has too many storylines shoehorned into what should be a more focused and intimate piece.

Inspired by the 1977 film of the same name, the story takes place in New York City during 1946 and 1947, when much of the world is dealing with the after-effects of World War II.

A Straightforward Plot

The show’s main protagonists are Jimmy Doyle (Colton Ryan), an Irish American piano player with a fiery temper and love for the bottle, and Francine Evans (Anna Uzele), an African American singer who previously toured with the USO. Jimmy carries survivor’s guilt because medical issues kept him behind a desk during the war while his brother died in combat.