PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Thursday, September 22, 2011 CONTACT: Patrick Finlon, Marketing Director 315-443-2636 or [email protected]
Syracuse University Department of Drama presents
The Cradle Will Rock Great Laughs, Terrific Songs and Plenty of Bite
Performed in the Archbold Theatre, 820 East Genesee Street September 30—October 8, 2011
Book, Music and Lyrics by Marc Blitzstein Directed by Rodney Hudson Musical Direction by Brian Cimmet Choreographed by Andrea Leigh-Smith
(Syracuse, NY) — Here’s how Marc Blitzstein described his 1937 musical: “a labor opera composed in a style that falls somewhere between realism, romance, vaudeville, comic strip, Gilbert & Sullivan, Brecht, and agitprop [agitation and propaganda].”
In other words, it has great laughs, terrific songs and plenty of bite. Unabashedly unionist in outlook, The Cradle Will Rock was the first American musical told from the point of view of the working class. Presented by Syracuse University’s Department of Drama in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, The Cradle Will Rock runs September 30 through October 8 in the Archbold Theatre at 820 East Genesee Street. Tickets are $16-$18, available at 315-443-3275 or by visiting http://vpa.syr.edu/drama. SU Drama’s season sponsor is WAER 88.3.
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Set in Steeltown, U.S.A., the play pits the union organizing efforts of Larry Foreman against the manipulations and machinations of town boss Mr. Mister. With a cast of characters whose archetypes could be found on any number of TV “News” programs, Cradle’s relevance to modern day America is both amazing and disturbing.
“We’ve been looking at how timely this all is, going from the NFL to NBA to the grave diggers union locally,” said Director Rodney Hudson.
The Cradle Will Rock is not only a landmark piece of musical theatre, but a piece that embodies theatre history with its musical styles ranging from Broadway to vaudeville.
“Blitszstein tries to encapsulate all the musical genres of the time but he does it in a non- harmonic way, reflecting the time period,” Hudson said.
Originally directed by a young Orson Welles, the show which opened in June 1937 stirred much controversy due to its pro-union message, contractual disagreements with Actors’ Equity and opposition from disgruntled conservatives who did not believe President Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration should be funding the arts.
In fact the 1999 film Cradle Will Rock directed by Tim Robbins is a semi-fictionalized account of the process of staging the musical.
Just as the timeliness of Syracuse University’s performance is reflective of union struggles today, the original production was under way as Republic Steele workers were on strike and unions were under attack by big businesses. And as political pressures mounted, officials eventually announced that the show would be postponed right before opening night.
Instead of accepting defeat the production team went to the Venice Theatre and rented space to perform the show. Blitzstein himself played the piano and actors who were threatened with arrest if they appeared on stage performed from seats in the house.
“It’s a musical in rebellion; it doesn’t hold to the form of musicals of the day,” Hudson said.
The show was a hit and by January 1938 had made its way to the Windsor Theatre on Broadway, allowing Blitzstein and Welles to see their original vision of the musical containing a lot of spectacle. Syracuse University’s production stays true to this with colorful chandeliers, a carousel horse and a set that looks like elaborately-designed posters representing different unions of the time.
“The show satirizes everything from the arts to politics, but it’s not all heady, there are jokes. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” Hudson said.
BIO - DIRECTOR
Rodney Hudson is a member of the Department of Drama teaching Musical Theatre Performance and Directing.
BIO - MUSICAL DIRECTOR
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Brian Cimmet. The Cradle Will Rock marks Brian’s fourth show since joining SU’s Department of Drama a year ago, following Cabaret and A New Brain, as well as Syracuse Stage and SU Drama’s Rent. Other credits include the Broadway companies of The Drowsy Chaperone, Mary Poppins and Grease, the original Off-Broadway productions of I Love You Because (including the cast album) and The Tin Pan Alley Rag, as well as more regional and stock theater than you would know what to do with. He has composed scores to Absolutely Anything, The Spirit of Reindeer, A Christmas Carol, Burn This, Stop Kiss, Let’s Play Two and Hopeful For Monsters. Brian was recently nominated for his second MAC Award (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) for his song “Don’t Break My Heart on New Year’s Eve,” written with Amanda Yesnowitz. In another walk of life, Brian is a two-time award winner at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and will be writing an original book of puzzles this fall.
BIO - CHOREOGRAPHER
Andrea Leigh-Smith recently joined SU’s Department of Drama as an assistant professor of Dance. Andrea has worked as a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher for more than 25 years in the U.S. and Canada. Broadway credits include Jerome Robbins Broadway and SMILE. She also has numerous credits with national tours and major regional theaters in both the U.S. and Canada. Andrea is Co-Founder and Resident Choreographer for The Irondale Ensemble Project Canada and has created over 30 choreographic works, inclusive of contemporary concert, jazz, and musical theatre repertoire. She is a current faculty member of The Ballet and Dance Center and a certified Pilates instructor. SU choreographic credits include Arabian Nights, Lysistrata and A New Brain.
TICKETS
Tickets for Syracuse University Department of Drama’s production of Cradle Will Rock are $18 for adults, and $16 for students and seniors. $8 rush tickets are available at the door, one hour before curtain. For tickets and more information, contact the Department of Drama Box Office at 315-443-3275 or visit http://vpa.syr.edu/drama.
VPA AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
The SU Department of Drama is housed within the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). VPA is committed to the education of cultural leaders who will engage and inspire audiences through performance, visual art, design, scholarship and commentary. It provides the tools for self-discovery and risk-taking in an environment that thrives on critical thought and action.
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INFO SHEET:
Syracuse University Department of Drama presents
The Cradle Will Rock Great Laughs, Terrific Songs and Plenty of Bite
Book, Music & Lyrics by Marc Blitzstein Directed by Rodney Hudson Musically Directed by Brian Cimmet Choreographed by Andrea Leigh-Smith
ARCHBOLD THEATRE at 820 E. Genesee Street Opens: September 30 Closes: October 8
DESIGNERS: Felix Cochren (Scenic Designer) Meggan Camp (Costume Designer) Kara Ramlow (Lighting Designer) Jonathan Herter (Sound Designer)
STAGE MANAGER: Tracci Stiffler
CAST:
Moll LilyAnn Carlson Junior Mister Eric Meyers Bugs Cody Hernden Cop Matt Maretz LIBERTY COMMITTEE Dr. Specialist Charlo Kirk Reverend Salvation Nick Petrovich Professor Mamie Blair Beasley Dauber Sean Coyle Professor Trixie Kyle Anderson Editor Daily Elliot Peterson Yasha Mac Dassatti President Prexy Alani Kravitz Clerk Joseph Fierberg Harry Druggist Ross Baum Mrs. Mister Mary Claire King Sister Mister Katie LaMark Mr. Mister Amos Vanderpoel Stevie Daniel Kornfeld Gus Polock Charlo Kirk Sadie Polock Katie LaMark Larry Foreman David Siciliano
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Professor Scoot Katie LaMark Ella Hammer Kendall Cooper Reporter #1 Daniel Kornfeld Reporter #2 Eric Meyers
Understudies
Mr. Mister Cody Hernden Mrs. Mister Jonalyn Saxer
Swings
Jonalyn Saxer: Sister Mister, Sadie Polock, Professor Scoot, Professor Mamie Chessie Santoro: Moll, President Prexy, Ella Hammer Jordan Weagraff: Larry Foreman, Dauber, Professor Trixie, Dr. Specialist, Gus Polock, Bugs, Junior Mister, Reporter #2 Dan Reardon: Editor Daily, Reverend Salvation, Yasha, Stevie, Harry Druggist, Clerk, Cop, Reporter #1
PERFORMANCES: Sept. 30 – 8 p.m. Oct. 1 – 8 p.m. *Oct. 2 – 2 p.m. Oct. 6 – 8 p.m. Oct. 7 – 8 p.m. Oct. 8 – 8 p.m.
*The 2 p.m. performance on October 2 will be Sign-Interpreted.
Tickets are $18 for adults, and $16 for students and seniors. $8 rush tickets are available at the door, one hour before curtain. For tickets and more information, contact the Department of Drama Box Office at 315-443-3275 or visit http://vpa.syr.edu/drama.
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SU Drama I Producing Artistic Director: Timothy Bond I Chair, Department of Drama: Ralph Zito 820 E. Genesee St. I Main: 315-443-2669 I Box Office: 315-443-3275 I http://vpa.syr.edu/drama
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