RAGS: Concert cast!- Page 2

[bobby_luvs_bway]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 6:45pm

That was back when they recorded almost any show. The good ole days. And Judy was just sublime on the Tonys.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 7:01pm

That was it, 4 shows!

Must buy the OBCR.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 7:20pm

Time to get the SKIRT out of the dry cleaners. I'm just sayin'...

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 11:35pm

I listened to this in my car this evening; what a glorious score! I had forgotten how much I love this recording, even if the show has been lacking both times I've seen it performed.

You really have to be careful with Rebecca; an overly-operatic soprano can absolutely murder her songs.

I'm really surprised that David Blake didn't continue a Broadway career--he is one of the most impressive child actors I have heard in a long time. Fantastic voice.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 11:38pm

Okay, I'm officially out of it.

What RAGS concert?

[gumbo2]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:32am

Yeah I missed the news, too. Cool though, from what I've heard of the show I like it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:40am

I'm surprised they haven't already snagged Laura Benanti to play Rebecca, merely for the merits of her singing "Children of the Wind". She's definitely the "it" soprano.

*steps back while everyone jumps in with various pro-anti-Laura-Or-Tina-Maddigan comments*

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:53am

Yes Laura could maybe sing it, anyone hear her sing in an operatic range?
the bigger question is would she show up?
(sorry I couldn't resist)
Laura was great in both PIPPIN and SECRET GARDEN but she appears a bit young for Rebecca.
How about Carolee Carmella?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:17am

What. RAGS. Concert. For what, when, and where?

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:21am

On December 11th, 2006, the 4th Annual World AIDS Day Concert 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.

Rags, with music by Tony Award winner Charles Strouse (Bye, Bye, Birdie; Annie), lyrics by Academy and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Prince of Egypt), and a book by Tony Award winner Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), premiered on Broadway in August of 1986. Though short-lived on Broadway with only 22 performances, Rags garnered 5 Tony nominations and leading lady, Teresa Stratas walked away with the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. The original cast featured several Broadway luminaries including Judy Kuhn (Les Miserables, Chess), Terrence Mann (Les Miserables, Beauty & The Beast), Lonny Price (Merrily We Roll Along, A Class Act), Marcia Lewis (Chicago, Annie), Dick Latessa (Follies, Hairspray), and Larry Kert (West Side Story, Company).

The cast of the upcoming World AIDS Day Concert will feature Wicked's Eden Espinosa as young Bella, a new immigrant to America and David A. Austin (I Love You, Because) as Ben, a young Jewish entrepreneur focused on winning Bella's heart. Also joining the cast as young David, Rebecca's son is Struan Erlenborn (last year's Secret Garden Concert, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang), Max von Essen as an American, and Stacia Fernandez (Drowsy Chaperone) as Rosa. Other casting will be announced shortly.

Rags tells the story of Rebecca, an immigrant who finds herself and her young son, David, very much alone in the brand new world of America. Through Rebecca's encounters and relationships with others experiencing similar struggles, Rags tells of the American experience when the “melting pot,” was an ideal many hoped to be a part of. In a time when immigration is a heavily debated topic, Rags reminds us of the intense struggle so many of our immigrant ancestors fought, to make this country what it is today.

Stafford Arima (Altar Boys, The West End's Ragtime, The Secret Garden in Concert) will be directing the concert and Mark Hartman (Avenue Q, Pippin & Children of Eden Concerts, Pippin National Tour) will serve as music director. Designers joining the team for the upcoming concert include lighting designer Traci Klainer, sound designers Walter Trarbach and Tony Smolenski, set designer, David Korins, costume designers Michael Bottari and Ronald Case, and choreographer Patricia Wilcox.

Presented by Jamie McGonnigal in association with The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation, the World AIDS Day Concerts were founded in 2003 by Jamie McGonnigal and Kate Shindle to help raise awareness of the health holiday, and to establish community within the theatre community. The inaugural concert marked the New York professional premiere of Stephen Schwartz and John Caird's Children of Eden, and was performed at the stunning Riverside Cathedral. The following year, the hit musical Pippin was presented starring Rosie O'Donnell, Charles Busch and a return to his Tony Award-winning role by Ben Vereen. A subsequent major regional production and National tour of the same show will take place this year. And finally, in 2005, a critically-acclaimed concert of Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman's The Secret Garden was performed. This most recent event was listed among the top ten theatre events of the year by Playbill.com and Theatremania.com. All three sold-out concerts have managed to garner International acclaim while raising much-needed funds and awareness for organizations catering to the HIV/AIDS Community. For information on the past World AIDS Day events and eventually the most up-to-date info on this year's event, you can visit www.WorldAIDSDayConcert.org.

As with last year's event, the proceeds will be benefiting The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation and Camp TLC (Teens Living with a Challenge), a residential summer camp program for teens living with HIV/AIDS. JDAF was created in 1996 by Carol DiPaolo, and her son Joey. When Joey was four (1984) he was infected with the HIV, (the virus that causes AIDS) from a blood transfusion during open-heart surgery. At age ten, Joey and family attended Camp Sunburst in California. Empowered and motivated by the camp experience both mother and son began public speaking in 1990 bringing AIDS education to parents, faculty, and students throughout the country. After becoming national AIDS spokespersons for several AIDS organizations, Carol and Joey decided to establish The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation (JDAF). This foundation is motivated by compassion and hope for young people who are living with HIV/AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control reports that 51% of all new HIV infections in the U.S. occur in young people under 25, with that statistic in mind, Joey and Carol have provided over 500 AIDS prevention and education programs nationwide. With AIDS a serious global issue, JDAF is extending their Camp TLC program to positive teens living outside the US, in countries devastated by the AIDS pandemic. For more information about JDAF/Camp TLC visit www.jdaf.org.

Tickets for Rags will go on sale at 5PM on October 16th at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at the Nokia Theatre box office. Sponsorship opportunities are available by emailing [e-mail]. Currently seeking Private, Corporate and Media sponsorships.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=12830

As for Benanti...she's too young, in my opinion. I see her much more fitting the mold of Bella than Rebecca. The more I think about it, the more I would love to see Vicki Clark in the part.

Although Audra McDonald needs to record "Blame it on the Summer Night" right now!

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 4:41pm

Carolee Carmello has been cast as Rebecca with Gregg Edelman as Nathan. Thoughts?

Updated On: 10/30/06 at 04:41 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 4:48pm

I think its very good casting - bravo for all.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 4:51pm

Who's Harvey Fierstein playing?

PS: I don't know a thing about this show.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 4:55pm

Harvey Fierstein is playing Avram, Bella's father. He has a very sweet song in Act II called "Three Sunny Rooms" as well as some great paternal moments. It's basically Tevye light.

I'm thrilled with the idea of Carolee. She has a gorgeous soprano tone that manages to be operatic without overdoing the vibratto. Her "Children of the Wind" and "Blame it on the Summer Night" will be breathtaking.

As for Gregg Edelman, I think he will do a fine job as Nathan. Any word on if this version will include the song "Yankee Boy"? I know it's been cut from subsequent versions of the score.

Updated On: 10/31/06 at 04:55 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 5:00pm

Oh my god. I may have to go to this now to support Carolee!

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 5:45pm

Hey there,

Glad to hear you're excited about Carolee...we were really thrilled that she can join us! And Gregg too of course! Just a few more roles to fill and we'll be set to go.

We're presenting essentially a brand new version of the show. There are many changes throughout that bring a lot of focus to the book. Stephen, Charles and Joe all feel that this will now be the definitive version of the show and we're very proud to be presenting the premiere.

As to questions about a recording, unfortunately this concert will not be recorded as per an agreement with the unions. However, for next year (the 5th Anniversary of the World AIDS Day Concert), I'm looking into the possibility of recording a "best of" CD in the studio.

And while I have your attention...as part of our fundraising for the concert, for just a $10 donation, you will have your name printed in the program for this year's event. You can visit the link below and donate via credit card on our website. or follow instructions on how to mail payment. The camp and the foundation are vitally important and I want to be certain this concert provides some much-needed funds for them!

Love, Jamie


World AIDS Day Concert

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 6:03pm

Vicki Clark would be inspired casting as Rebecca, but I'm not too keen on Eden as Bella.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 6:05pm

Thanks!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 11:33am

I just found out I'm going!!! This is so exciting. I love Carolee

[Jon]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 11:37am

They've clearly lowered the keys on Nathan's stuff. It was very "tenor-y" when larry Kert did it.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 11:56am

Not too thrilled that they made a bunch of changes to the book though...I would have liked to see the exact same book as it was on Broadway in 1986. I hope they don't cut any songs and that they are all in the original keys.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:08pm

Ummm not sure what you mean by tenory but its certainly within what I have heard Gregg sing in the past. Looking at the score I have his top note is an Ab in Bread and Water and some Gs in other songs. It certainly doesnt "live" up there and easily baritenor country.

Although I notice in my version Children of the Wind is lacking the modulation that takes it up to that glorius B flat. Still Carolee can sing anything and be lovely to hear her in soprano territory for some songs and then down in the warmer ranges for stuff like "Wanting". God I wish I was going to be in NY for this!
Updated On: 10/31/06 at 12:08 PM