Opera Philadelphia and City Center Will Revive Musical
The two organizations will partner to stage a production of Let 'Em Eat Cake in 2027.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Opera
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Opera Philadelphia and New York City Center will collaborate on a revival of the 1933 Broadway musical Let 'Em Eat Cake. The production will run in Philadelphia in January 2027 and in New York in March 2027.
Why it matters
The partnership allows Opera Philadelphia to gain financial benefits and casting reach, while New York City Center utilizes its specialization in reviving classic American musicals. The shared cost structure offers both companies economic advantages for the multi-city project.
The production includes 15 scheduled performances at New York City Center. This musical originally debuted on Broadway in 1933.
The players
Opera Philadelphia
An American opera company based in Pennsylvania that focuses on producing innovative works and partnerships.
New York City Center
A performing arts venue in Manhattan known for its commitment to presenting classic American musical theater revivals.
Zack Winokur
A director known for his interdisciplinary approach to staging theater and opera productions.
Corrado Rovaris
An Italian conductor who serves as the music director for Opera Philadelphia.
Rob Berman
A conductor and musical director frequently associated with the Encores! series at New York City Center.
The details
The production is led by director Zack Winokur and features distinct musical direction, with Corrado Rovaris leading the Philadelphia run and Rob Berman conducting in New York. The Philadelphia ensemble will feature a larger orchestra and chorus than the New York iteration.
Timeline
1933: The musical Let 'Em Eat Cake originally premiered on Broadway.
January 2027: Performances will take place at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.
March 2027: Performances will take place at New York City Center.
Industry Dynamics
This revival follows the long-standing tradition of bringing classic American stage works back to contemporary audiences. It reflects a broader trend of regional and city-based arts organizations pooling resources to manage the rising costs of large-scale theatrical productions.
Audiences can expect performances in two different major markets, with Philadelphia hosting the show in January and New York in March. Ticket availability and pricing for these 15 New York performances will be announced as the production design is finalized.
The takeaway
Collaborative production models like this one enable arts organizations to sustain ambitious revivals that might be cost-prohibitive individually. Theatergoers should monitor official venue sites as scheduling approaches for finalized seating and casting updates.
Further reading
Learn more about the current landscape of the art form by visiting the Opera section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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