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Broadway's King Kong Honored by New York City With Ceremonial Street Renaming

Visit “King Kong Court” if you’re on West 53rd Street.

Kong roars on stage at the Broadway Theatre.
Kong roars onstage at the Broadway Theatre.
(© David Gordon)

In celebration of the 86th anniversary of the iconic original film of King Kong, the New York City Mayor's Office recognized the Broadway musical King Kong and its contribution to the culture of New York City by declaring the area outside of the Broadway Theatre "King Kong Court" with a ceremonial street renaming on Wednesday, March 6.

The stage production of King Kong is a contemporary take on the classic tale of beauty and the beast. The story follows a young actor, Ann Darrow (Christiani Pitts), and a maverick filmmaker, Carl Denham (Eric William Morris), as they voyage from the bustling streets of 1930s New York to an uncharted island to capture the world's greatest wonder. At the center of this 21st-century reimagining is a 20-foot-tall, 2,000-pound gorilla brought to life by a team of artists and technicians, blending robotics, puppetry, and stagecraft.

The "King Kong Court" street sign on West 53rd Street.
The "King Kong Court" street sign on West 53rd Street.
(© David Gordon)

The production additionally features Erik Lochtefeld as Lumpy, with an ensemble that includes Ashley Andrews, Mike Baerga, Rhaamell Burke-Missouri, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Chloë Campbell, Leroy Church, Peter Chursin, Jōvan Dansberry, Kayla Davion, Rory Donovan, James Retter Duncan, Casey Garvin, Christopher Hampton Grant, Jon Hoche, Gabriel Hyman, Harley Jay, Marty Lawson, Jonathan Christopher MacMillan, Danny Miller, Brittany Marcell Monachino, Jennifer Noble, Kristen Faith Oei, Eliza Ohman, Roberto Olvera, Jaquez André Sims, Khadija Tariyan, Jena VanElslander, Leigh-Ann Vizer, Scott Weber, Jacob Williams, Lauren Yalango-Grant, Warren Yang, and David Yijae.

King Kong is written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) with a score by Marius de Vries (La La Land), songs by Eddie Perfect (Beetlejuice) and direction and choreography by Drew McOnie. The production opened at the Broadway Theatre on November 8, 2018.

King Kong star Christiani Pitts receives a commemorative certificate from the New York City Mayor's Office.
King Kong star Christiani Pitts receives a commemorative certificate from the New York City Mayor's Office.
(© David Gordon)

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