CBST Announces NY Premiere Of SONG OF INNOCENCE

Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST) is pleased to announce the New York Premiere of Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Finn. Composed at Williams College, this piece contains lyrics and music by Finn in collaboration with his students. Songs of Innocence and Experience tells the stories of teachers and students, exploring the process of how learning is passed on.

This one-night-only benefit concert is directed by Philip Himberg, Producing Artistic Director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, with musical direction by Vadim Feichtner, Music Director of the Broadway production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Narrated by William Finn, other performers include: Tony nominated actor Malcolm Gets (Amour, the film version of Grey Gardens, and the upcoming The Story of My Life), Sally Wilfert (Assassins), Ann Harada (Avenue Q and the upcoming 9 to 5), Megan Lawrence (The Pajama Game), and Sebastian Arcelus (Jersey Boys and the upcoming Happiness at Lincoln Center Theater).

The performance is Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 8:00PM at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center. $35 tickets are available directly through the Merkin Concert Hall website, http://kaufman-center.org/merkin-concert-hall or by calling the box office at 212-501-3330. Underwriting sponsorships are available at cbst.org.

William Finn is the Tony Award winning composer and lyricist of such hits as 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Elegies, A Song Cycle, March of the Falsettos, Falsettoland, and A New Brain among others. In addition to two Tony Awards, Mr. Finn has won the Drama Desk award, the Outer Critics Award, the L.A. Drama Critics Award as well as the Lucille Lortel Award.

CBST is New York City's LGBT Synagogue for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Shabbat Shirah, their annual concert series, is now entering its 14th season. Founded in 1973, and under the leadership of Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum since 1992, CBST has become the largest GLBT synagogue in the world and one of the most influential. CBST is an important voice in Judaism; in the worldwide discourse on the nature of religious community; and in the movement to secure basic civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the United States and throughout the world.