Opera Philadelphia Brings Gershwins' 'Let 'Em Eat Cake' to New York

Opera Philadelphia will partner with New York City Center to stage its new production of George and Ira Gershwin's "Let 'Em Eat Cake" in New York in March 2027. The announcement marks a collaboration between two organizations with complementary histories in reviving rarely performed works.

The production premieres in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music from Jan. 29–31 before transferring to New York. Zack Winokur, a theater and opera director, will direct. Corrado Rovaris, Opera Philadelphia's Judy & Peter Leone Music Director, will conduct.

The New York engagement builds on City Center's Tony-honored Encores! series, which for more than three decades has brought rarely performed musicals back to the stage. The series began in 1994 and has become renowned for rediscovering forgotten works and presenting them with exceptional artists and musicians.

Anthony Roth Costanzo, General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia, framed the partnership as a way to secure a permanent place for the work in the repertoire. "I cannot tell you how excited I am to be teaming up with City Center's Encores! series and their joyful, visionary Artistic Director Jenny Gersten, who has been an invaluable advisor since we first conceived of this project and whom I am proud to now call a partner," Costanzo said in a statement. "There is a palpable excitement and buzz around this work and Zack Winokur's brilliant vision for it, and how powerfully it will connect with audiences. Now that Encores! is joining us to give 'Let 'Em Eat Cake' an extended life, I know this collaboration will make a strong case for this Gershwin gem to become a staple rather than a rarity."

Gersten, VP & Artistic Director, Musical Theater for New York City Center, emphasized the creative affinity between the partners. "This is an extraordinary opportunity for New York City Center to collaborate with two artists, Zack and Anthony, who share so much synergy with our musical theater loving community," she said. "I deeply admire their taste and leadership, and look forward to seeing how this partnership will blossom."

The collaboration pairs an opera company known for contemporary and experimental programming with a musical theater institution celebrated for archival revival. Winokur's production will serve as the shared artistic vehicle, with Rovaris on the podium for both engagements.

If the joint run succeeds in New York as it aims to in Philadelphia, "Let 'Em Eat Cake" could shift from a historical curiosity to a regularly staged Gershwin work — the explicit goal both companies have set for the project.