George M. Cohan Tonight!, conceived, written and directed by Chip Deffaa and originally produced Off-Broadway in New York at the Irish Repertory Theater, and filmed at there and at other sites, has been released for home viewing, especially in celebration of Cohan’s July birthday (July 3, 1978 – November 5, 1942). The film can be viewed free here on TubiTV now. It will be released by Amazon shortly.
The Off-Broadway production has been adapted for the screen by Jon Peterson, for whom Deffaa wrote the original play. Peterson—who was honored by the Drama League, presented with a Bistro Award, and nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his characterization on stage, has often said that Cohan is his favorite role. The film, directed by Peterson, has been honored at 20 film festivals to date. Deffaa, who’s written and directed five different shows about Cohan, says: “I’m thrilled that Jon wanted to do this film. For my money, there isn’t a greater song-and-dance man active today. He’s an electric performer.”
He’s performed George M. Cohan Tonight! in stage in countless US cities since its Off-Broadway debut, from New Orleans to Hollywood, as well as in London and Seoul. And he reprised highlights from the show at the Irish Rep’s recent Town Hall gala (produced by Charlotte Moore and Ciaran O’Reilly).
The cast album of the original Off-Broadway production, as well as other albums that Deffaa has produced featuring Peterson and company performing Cohan songs, such as The George M. Cohan Revue and The George M. Cohan Songbook, are available from Amazon, Ebay, Apple Music etc.
Often called “the father of the Broadway musical,” Cohan (1878-1942) rose to the top of his profession as an actor, singer, dancer, playwright, songwriter, director, choreographer and producer. “No one in theatrical history ever did so many different things as well as Cohan,” Deffaa notes. “His statue stands in Times Square—and quite properly so. …there’s much more to Cohan than those songs that everyone knows.”
