Movin' Out (musical)

Movin' Out
Original Broadway Logo
Music	Billy Joel
Lyrics	Billy Joel
Productions	2002 Broadway 2004 U.S. Tour 2006 West End

Movin' Out is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel.

Conceived by Twyla Tharp, the musical tells the story of a generation of American youth growing up on Long Island during the 1960s and their experiences with the Vietnam War. The principal characters are drawn from those who appeared in various Joel tunes: high school sweethearts Brenda and Eddie ("Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"), James ("James"), Judy ("Why Judy Why"), and Tony (Anthony in "Movin' Out"). The show is unusual in that, unlike the traditional musical, it essentially is a series of dances linked by a thin plot, and none of the dancers sing. All the vocals are performed by a pianist and band suspended on a platform above the stage while the dancers act out the songs dialogue, making the show, in essence, a rock ballet.

The show started in pre-Broadway try-outs at the Shubert Theatre in Chicago from June 25, 2002 through September 1, 2002. It premiered on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on October 24, 2002 and closed on December 11, 2005 after 1,303 performances and 28 previews. Directed and choreographed by Tharp, the cast included Michael Cavanaugh, Darren Holden, Wade Preston, Elizabeth Parkinson, John Selya, Keith Roberts, Henry Haid, Ashley Tuttle, Benjamin Bowman, and Scott Wise.