Opera Philadelphia and New York City Center have announced a landmark collaboration to bring Opera Philadelphia’s new take on George and Ira Gershwin’s “Let ’Em Eat Cake” to New York in March 2027.

The New York premiere will be held following its Philadelphia premiere at the Academy of Music Jan. 29–31 and be directed by theater and opera director Zack Winokur.

Opera Philadelphia’s Judy & Peter Leone Music Director Corrado Rovaris will conduct.

The New York engagement represents an extraordinary meeting of two organizations with complementary histories and for more than three decades, City Center’s Tony-honored Encores! series has brought rarely performed musicals back to the stage, beginning in 1994 and becoming renowned for rediscovering forgotten works and presenting them with exceptional artists and musicians.

In a statement, Anthony Roth Costanzo, General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia said, “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. 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.”

Jenny Gersten, VP & Artistic Director, Musical Theater for New York City Center added, “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. I deeply admire their taste and leadership, and look forward to seeing how this partnership will blossom.”