FringeNYC Buys Walmartopia The Musical, 8/16-8/22

Walmartopia The Musical!, direct from Madison, Wisconsin ­will have its New York premiere as part of the 2006 New York International Fringe Festival. Walmartopia opens August 16, 2006 (and continues through August 22) at the Henry Street Harry DuJur Playhouse (466 Grand Street), in NYC's lower east side.

Described as "the irreverent new musical send-up of big business and eternal smiley faces," the show is written by Catherine Capellaro (libretto and direction) and Andrew Rohn (music and lyrics).   "With a cast of 17 and a 5-member band, Walmartopia tells the hilarious and timely tale of Vicki Latrell, a single mom who speaks out against her company's working conditions and finds herself jettisoned to 2036, into a future where Wal-Mart dominates the entire world.   Yes, the musical features the singing head of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton."

Walmartopia The Musical! premiered in Madison in a sold-out record-breaking run in 2005 (and an encore engagement earlier this year).  Madison's Mayor Dave Cieslewicz even declared "Walmartopia Days" with an official proclamation.

Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn have performed and written musicals for more than 10 years in Madison, and created the cult hit, Temp Slave.  The couple has produced eight short musicals, some of which were combined to create Attack of the Mini-Musicals (2002).  Rohn is a composer of pop and jazz and is a pianist and drummer.  He has performed with a Javanese Gamelan, and played Kora with a Ghanian group, among other adventures.  Capellaro performs with the dance band VO5 (trumpet and vocals), and has worked as a journalist for the Progressive Media Project.  She is currently managing editor of Rethinking Schools.  Their seven-year-old twin boys will accompany the troupe on the tour.

Walmartopia will play the following performance schedule at the Henry Street Harry Du Jour Playhouse: August 16 from 9pm-11pm, August 17 from 4pm-6pm, August 18 from 7pm-9pm, August 20 from 12:45pm-2:45pm and August 22 from 9:30pm-11:30pm.  The theatre is located at 466 Grand Street (Cross Street: Pitt).  Via Subway take the F Train to Delancey or the J, M or G train to Essex.   The 14A bus can also be taken. 

The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) is the largest multi-arts festival in North America, with more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for 16 days in more than 20 venues - that's a total of more than 1300 performances! FringeNYC generates an atmosphere of extreme excitement, and the energy is contagious!  Tickets for FringeNYC shows are $15 general admission.  They will go on sale July 30, 2006 and are available at www.fringenyc.org.