The Storefront presents RAGS In Concert

Two performances only, marking the New York premiere of a new version of the 1986 Broadway tuner

Anne Runolfsson and Leslie Kritzer to lead cast

New York - The Storefront will present two benefit performances only of "Rags in Concert" on Friday & Saturday, March 15th & 16th, at 8:00 pm. The performances will take place at Metro Baptist Church (410 West 40th Street, NYC - 212.206.1515). Advance tickets, $30, may be purchased via SmartTix at www.smarttix.com.

"Rags" premiered on Broadway in 1986, closing after just four performances and several weeks of previews. The original cast included Theresa Stratas, Larry Kert, Lonny Price, Dick Latesa, Judy Kuhn and Marcia Lewis. The Storefront concert production will feature celebrated vocalist Anne Runolfsson ("Victor/Victoria," "Les Miserables") in the lead role, and Leslie Kritzer (Fanny in the Papermill Playhouse production of "Funny Girl" and more recently the Mother in "Bat Boy"), as Bella.

The story of "Rags" and its various versions is a compelling one. Since it's Broadway debut, the show has been continually re-written by its celebrated authors, Charles Strouse (music), Stephen Schwartz (lyrics), and Joe Stein (book). This latest version of "Rags" has never before been seen in New York. Set against the backdrop of 1910 New York, "Rags" concerns Russian immigrants and the struggles they face adapting to American society, socially, politically and financially. At its heart, it is a patriotic story about people who are willing to sacrifice virtually everything, even their lives, in order to live in America. Featured in the score are such familiar tunes as "Children of the Wind," "Blame It On The Summer Night," and, of course, "Rags."

The Storefront was founded in November of 1999, and is quickly becoming a theatrical force in New York, contributing quality works, lauded for their strength and insight. Their previous musical evenings include "Taking the Wheel: The Music of John Bucchino," "It's An Art: The Music of Stephen Schwartz," "Beginnings: The Music of Brett Kristofferson," "Arise," a poignant, star-studded concert for the World Trade Center Disaster Relief Fund, and the highly-lauded "Gashole: The Wit and Wisdom of the 70's," still running in New York after five months. The company has garnered a dedicated audience, rave reviews in a variety of publications throughout the city, and earned a reputation as a young company to watch closely.

"Rags in Concert" will be directed by Storefront Artistic Director Phil Geoffrey Bond, with Musical Direction by Markus Britt and Musical Staging by Robert Jay Cronin, who is also the Artistic Director of the Ergo Theatre Company. Featured in the cast: Diane Bers, Stephen Dean Brennan, Christopher Caswell, Michael Coco, Brandon Cutrell, Eric Forand, Courtney Gable, David Gaspin, David Gurland, Stephanie Judkins, Teresa Kelsey, Karie Koppel, Matt Lahey, Karen Mack, Marina MacNeal, Sidney Myer, Libby Anne Russler, Noelle Teagno, Walker Vreeland, Alex Odya-Weis and Marti Williams.

For more information, see http://www.thestorefront.org/.

 

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