Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
#1Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/22/10 at 7:26pm
Tony® nominee Robert Cuccioli will reunite with his Jekyll and Hyde co-star Luba Mason for one night only in the Cy Coleman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund.
Wildcat, with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, and book by N. Richard Nash, tells the story of a frontier woman named Wildcat Jackson (Mason) who arrives in a border town in the American southwest with dreams of striking oil, and tricks foreman Joe Dynamite (Cuccioli) into helping her. Not-for-profit Theatrical Gems produces the first New York revival of the show since 1961.
The event will be held at The Julia Miles Theatre at the Women's Project, 424 West 55th Street on Sunday, December 19 at 7:00 PM. Theatrical Gems Artistic Director Jacob Shoesmith-Fox directs, with musical direction by Steven H. Taylor. Additional casting will be announced shortly.
Wildcat was Cy Coleman's first musical. It opened on December 16, 1960 and is best remembered for being the sole Broadway appearance of comedienne Lucille Ball, although the cast also featured Keith Andes, Paula Stewart, Edith King, and a young Valerie Harper (Rhoda) in the dance ensemble.
Audiences adored Ball and flocked to see her in person. Unfortunately, when Ball started to become ill and miss performances, the producers could not afford to keep the show open without her.
Wildcat closed on June 3, 1961 after two hiatuses and 171 performances.Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by emailing tickets@theatricalgems.org.
Tickets will be purchased at the door. Proceeds benefit the Actors Fund.
To raise funds for this and future projects, Theatrical Gems is also producing a cabaret titled Real Men Wear Pink and Sing Showtunes at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre, 61 Christopher Street, on Saturday, November 6 at 9:30 PM.
Tickets are $15 plus a two drink minimum and can be reserved online at www.theduplex.com or by calling (212) 255-5438. The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment.
The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition. Theatrical Gems strives to educate audiences about the past, present, and future of theater. Through the entertaining and engaging presentation of popular classics, new works, and under-appreciated relics, we hope to expand horizons and tastes with the goal of preserving these works of art for future generations of theatergoers.
Theatrical Gems is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. For more information, visit: www.theatricalgems.org.
https://offbroadway.broadwayworld.com/article/Robert_Cuccioli_and_Luba_Mason_Star_in_Wildcat_1219_20101022
This is going to be a really fun evening, it's all for a great cause, and the best part? All tickets are only $25!!
I hope to see many of you there on December 19!
Updated On: 10/22/10 at 07:26 PM
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#2Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/22/10 at 8:10pmCuccioli needs to come back to Broadway in a regular musical.
wavygraish
Swing Joined: 8/2/05
#2Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/23/10 at 9:23pmWow, thanks Theatrical Gems! Your last show was a lot of fun, and this one should be great too!
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#3Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/23/10 at 11:09pmJust reserved my ticket. Anyone else going?
npgreeson
Swing Joined: 8/16/10
#4Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/24/10 at 9:12pmWill this have a full orchestra, reduced orchestra, or piano accompaniment?
#5Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/25/10 at 12:09amA lot of people write off WILDCAT, but it has a wonderful score (by Coleman and Leigh) that is partially obscured on the OBCR by Lucille Ball's singing. Luba Mason would make tender piece like "That's What I Want for Jaimie" really land.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#6Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/25/10 at 9:06am
npgreeson- Unfortunately we can't have a full orchestra. As of now it is piano with sprinklings of other instruments throughout the show. Our Music Director is currently working on putting it together.
frontrowcentre2- As I'm sure you know "That's What I Want for Jainie" was cut and is not in the show. There is something about Lucille Ball's singing that fits her interpretation of the character wonderfully, but Ms. Mason will be able to bring some interesting qualities to Coleman & Leigh's gorgeous score that are not present on the recording.
Updated On: 10/25/10 at 09:06 AM
#7Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/25/10 at 12:02pmI had read that the song had been dropped from the show after opening, presumably to lessen Lucy's vocal load, but I did not know it had been removed from the show for all subsequent productions.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#8Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/25/10 at 1:28pmIt appears that the final Broadway version, cuts and all, is the version that is available for licensing. Although it is lovely music, which was thankfully preserved on the cast recording before it was cut from the show, most of the cut songs were replaced by dialogue, so nothing important is lost.
flossie2
Stand-by Joined: 11/6/03
#9Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/26/10 at 1:06pm
I don't know the show but will see anything with Bob Cuccioli!
I already have my tickets reserved.
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#10Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/27/10 at 1:07amThe 1963 Australian production retained all the songs including "Janie" and during the run actually added a cut song called "Ain't it Sad?", a second act duet for Wildy and Sookie. Unfortunately it did not stop the show like "What Takes My Fancy" and was dropped again sfter a couple of performances.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#11Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 10/27/10 at 7:10amHow about a full fledged revival with Cuccioli in the lead?
#12Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 11/12/10 at 5:54pm
Allison Case, Beth Fowler, and Lenny Wolpe have joined the cast!
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Beth_Fowler_Lenny_Wolpe_Allison_Case_Join_Cast_of_Actors_Fund_WILDCAT_20101112
Reserve your tickets by tickets@theatricalgems.org! Tickets are only $25 and support the Actor's Fund, a wonderful organization!
jt1890
Swing Joined: 11/19/10
#13Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 11/28/10 at 2:07pmHas full casting been announced for this already and I'm just missing it?
#14Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund
Posted: 11/29/10 at 6:50pm
Don't worry, you haven't missed it! The full cast is being announced this week.
So sorry about the delay, we just didn't want to announce it too close to the holiday.
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