RAGS Rehearsal...

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:24pm

So, I'm sitting here at the first principal rehearsal for the RAGS Concert...

Eden Espinosa and Carolee Carmello just finished "If We Never Meet Again," a song that had been cut from the show before it opened on Broadway. The song is stunning, and their voices on it...thrilling...I can't tell you how it's already giving me chills in this overheated midtown rehearsal hall.

The song has brand new lyrics as the placement in the show has changed, so this is truly a premiere. The whole show is essentially a new version of the script and a combination of about 4 different versions of the score. The music department has been working tirelessly to make certain that all is in place for December 11th.

I hope you all can make it to this concert...it's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
http://www.worldaidsdayconcert.org

[Just_John]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:45pm

Are they going to have student rush??

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:07pm

I've never heard the score but thanks for the post. I LOVE Eden, and Carolee, I really can't wait for this thing. I'll be looking out for "If We Never Meet Again."


Anyone want to post a synopsis (despite the script being worked and maybe restructurued) for those of us who don't know the show?

Thanks again, not sure who you are 'cause I'm pretty new here so I don't know what your job with the production is but Good Show to you and everyone.

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:21pm

Hey, is that stud, Brian Nash, still one of the music directors for this performance? He's an amazing talent. If you haven't seen him perform at The Duplex, either as part of his Wednesday/Sunday night stuff (I think) in the Piano Bar or at the Mostly Sondheim cabarets on Friday's in the theatre, you should make a point to catch this guy. A-W-E-S-O-M-E! His one-man performance of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS musical is hysterical...

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:40pm

Hey there

Of course Brian is involved, he was playing for us all day today...I love him.

I don't have a chance to find a synopsis right now, but I'm fairly certain the ones that exist out there are still fairly accurate.

We will not have student rush, but we just released some more of the $50 tickets for those who can't afford the big benefit prices!

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 11:38pm

Sorry, need to talk about Carolee...

We had a press sneak preview of the concert today where Carolee sang "Children of the Wind."

Seriously...DO NOT MISS THIS CONCERT.

I have never heard a more exciting interpretation of a song. Carolee is unbelievable and manages to capture a hundred different emotions throughout the course of the song...brilliant.

Eden sang Rags, and it was my first time hearing that as well. I can't say how excited and how honored I am to even be in the same room as these people...Lewis Cleale, Gregg Edelman, Michael Rupert...all amazing...Hope you can all make it!

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 11:46pm

Bought my $50 ticket... all that was left in my bank account for the semester- I may be subsisting on canned beans and cereal for the next few weeks.

Drastic, but I am SO SO SO excited for Rags!!!!!!!!! I have always wanted to see this show, and the cast is ULTIMATE.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 11:48pm

Jamie- You have to see Carolee as Donna in Mamma Mia!

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 12:58am

I'm dying to see photos from today, Jamie! Are there some coming?

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 1:58am

Argh, I wish I could see this show!

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 2:04am

There will be a ton on BWW. They had three photographers there.
There will also be tons of photos on my site. It was a wonderful press preview. All of the singers were in fine voice. I was impressed with all three performers.
If you can get a ticket to this concert you will have an amazing time and it is for a great cause. (Helping children living with HIV and AIDS)



Updated On: 12/2/06 at 02:04 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 2:11am

My main reason for going to this concert is to hear Carolee sing "Children of the Wind." I can't wait!!!

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 10:16am

Yes, photos should be up soon. 2 of the 3 photographers that were there were doing photos for the organization. Walter's photos will be up here at BWW. TheaterMania, Theatrescene.net, TalkinBroadway, Playbill and some other independent magazines and sites were there as well. There's someone who was doing some interviews for a podcast and as soon as I have that info, I'll pass it along!

Also-I know I've said we weren't going to do it, but I realized there are these balcony-type seating areas on either side of the theatre we weren't doing anything with, so we are going to be doing a "Theatre Student Rush" where you'll need to show a student ID and a program from a show you've worked on recently. More on that in the next few days.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 12:53pm

Any chances of this being recorded?

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 1:21pm

I can't wait! I just listened to the recording again.

(Why do I keep singing "Children of the CORN" instead of "Children of the Wind?")

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 1:24pm

because Grey Gardens is still lingering in your mind

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 1:25pm

LOL! That must be it!

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 2:32pm

Hey there,

Actually we inspected the idea of doing a recording, but the logistics are just too insane to deal with at this point. Since we have a 26 person orchestra, a nearly 100 member cast and countless others involved, it just becomes so crazy to deal with unless an outside producer wants to come in and do it (for free-which doesn't happen) and the writers, actors and musicians are all amenable to it (which also doesn't normally happen)...but make your best effort to be there!

[Joelbeans]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 5:58pm

Man I hate it that I live in St. Louis. I did this show about 10 years ago and played Nathan. I love the music. And damn what a cast. I would love to hear it. This was one of my favorite shows. I love the number with the union members Rebecca and Nathan towards the end, oh it was so emotional. I remember getting chils when I sang "come to papa" and then freezing while Rebecca sand her dancing with the Fools. I WANNA do this show again.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 12:01pm

I'm so looking forward to this! I didn't think anything could beat last year's The Secret Garden! But to hear Carolee do "Children of the Wind"...I can't wait! And now that you have Rupert on board! I'm in heaven!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 3:20pm

Just do a live recording, or a sound board recording.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 4:30pm

Why is there not a full cast list on the site?

(Also, wasn't Peter Lockyer supposed to be in this?)

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 4:37pm

Awww, I love that song! So glad to hear that it is being put back into the show

I would give anything to be able to see this concert, especially if the book has been tweaked!

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 9:25pm

Just sent out this press release to the theatre sites, so it should be up soon, but since you guys have asked about it...I'm kind of excited about this, (also a more complete casting is at the bottom):

Theatre Student Rush Announced For
RAGS
The 4th Annual World AIDS Day Concert

On December 11th, 2006, the 4th Annual World AIDS Day Concert, presented by Jamie McGonnigal in association with The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation will take place. This year’s presentation, a 20th Anniversary Concert of the Broadway musical Rags, will be held at Times Square’s brand new Nokia Theater.

This year, because of the set-up of the theatre, there are two balcony areas which were not going to be sold. But due to one of the missions of the World AIDS Day Concert, a new “Theatre-Student Rush” will take place. The concerts were founded to help develop a sense of community within the theatre community and now, we hope to encourage the next generation of theatre artists to become supportive members of this community.

Beginning at noon on Monday, December 11th at the Nokia Theatre box office (44th and Broadway), on a first-come, first-serve basis, college students with valid student ID’s as well as a copy of a show program from something they’ve worked on in the past year will receive one $25 ticket to the event.

The concert will star Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia, Lestat, Parade) as Rebecca, Lewis Cleale (Spamalot) as Saul, Gregg Edelman (Wonderful Town, Into the Woods) as Nathan, Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn) as Bella, John Treacy Egan (The Producers)as Big Tim, Lainie Kazan (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Beaches, The Nanny) as Rachel, Tony Award-Winner Michael Rupert (upcoming Legally Blonde: The Musical), David A. Austin (I Love You, Because) as Ben, and Struan Erlenborn (last year’s Secret Garden Concert, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang) as young David. Also featured in the concert will be Aaron Berk (Hedwig), Max von Essen (Dance of the Vampires, Les Miserables), Stacia Fernandez (Drowsy Chaperone), Adam Heller (Les Miserables), Lisa Jolley (Hairspray), David Josefsberg (The Wedding Singer, Altar Boyz), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because), Peter Lockyer (La Boheme), Stuart Marland (Beauty & the Beast), Anne L. Nathan (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and John Schiappa (Assassins). The concert will be hosted by MTV News correspondent , Sway.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 9:33pm

I was getting really excited until I read the part that said it was for college students.

Updated On: 12/7/06 at 09:33 PM