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Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund

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#1

Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund

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

#6

Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund

A 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

#7

Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund

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

#8

Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund

I 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

#9

Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund

It 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.
#11

Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason Star in Wildcat 12/19 to benefit the Actors Fund

The 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.

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