Misty Copeland to make Broadway debut in 'On the Town' revival

NEW YORK, July 6 (UPI) -- Misty Copeland will make her Broadway debut in On the Town.

The 32-year-old ballerina will portray Ivy Smith in an upcoming revival of the Leonard Bernstein musical. The character is an aspiring performer who falls in love with a sailor on leave.

"If I'm going to be part of a Broadway show, I think this is the one," Copeland told Time magazine. "It's so strong and rich with the dancing, and it's such an incredible role."

On the Town is based on the Jerome Robbins ballet Fancy Free, and opened on Broadway in 1944. The musical follows three sailors' escapades in New York, and includes the songs "New York, New York" and "Lonely Town."

Copeland will replace New York City Ballet principal dancer Megan Fairchild as Ivy on August 25. She will continue in the role through Sept. 6 at the Lyric Theatre in Times Square, the second-largest Broadway theater.

News of Copeland's casting comes days after she was announced as American Ballet Theatre's new principal dancer. The ballerina has been with the company since 2000, and is the first female African-American dancer to hold the position at ABT.