La MaMa & Columbia Stages to Present BABY FAT: ACT I

La MaMa, presents in association with Columbia Stages the world premiere advance staging of BABY FAT: Act I, a Screeching Weasel Rock Opera. BABY FAT: Act I boasts music and lyrics by Ben Weasel of Screeching Weasel ("Cool Kids") and libretto by Ben Weasel (after Victor Hugo and Francesco Maria Piave). Michael Scholar, Jr. (The Black Rider) directs this November Theatre production, scheduled for a strictly limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre at 66 East 4th Street, NYC from July 21 - July 23.

BABY FAT: Act I is described as follows:

Verdi's classic opera Rigoletto gets a punk rock overhaul by iconic frontman Ben Weasel of Screeching Weasel. In this world premiere, we find ourselves in The Reptile House, a Chicago club where the house band Serpentello and its entourage are at the center of a dark vortex of debauchery from which seemingly no soul can escape unharmed.

BABY FAT: Act I stars Kwame Michael Remy (Smokey Joe's Café) as Baby Fat, Russell Fischer (Jersey Boys) as Tommy Swank, and Marlene Ginader (Once) as Poveretta. The production also features Anne Bragg (Ensemble), Ryan Connelly (Sardonicus), Matt Felkey (Ensemble), Mallory Gladman (Ensemble), Ryan Halsaver (Zannoni), Darian Marchetto (Ensemble), Maggie Politi (Miserella), Dan Rosenbaum (Stompanato), Basit Shittu (Queeg), and Alexander Tomas (Jerry Japan).

In May 2015, the Chicago-based punk band Screeching Weasel released their album BABY FAT: Act I, conceived as the first act of a two-act rock opera that reimagines Verdi's Rigoletto through a punk rock lens. The 27-track release was funded by an immensely successful crowdfunding campaign, which exceeded its goal in less than one month. Screeching Weasel was inspired to allow their fans the opportunity to fund the unique album after realizing that an average record label would try to make them compromise their vision and release it as a traditional album. With the support of almost 500 backers and Recess Records, the album was completed and released to critical and popular acclaim.

Of Screeching Weasel and about the production, director Michael Scholar, Jr. says, "I saw that one of my favorite bands was putting out a theatrical album. Listening to it, I got it right away and was blown away by it. I could really relate to how this piece should look. I could see the characters in my head."

Ben Weasel of Screeching Weasel writes about how excited he is to see BABY FAT: Act I brought to the stage: "If I were British I'd be chuffed; a Californian, stoked; Audrey Hepburn, delighted! After thirty years of composing music and lyrics for rock albums, I can't wait to take on the challenge of writing for the theatre. Michael's track record in combining rock and theatre has gained my trust and confidence in his ability to bring Baby Fat to vivid life on the stage."

The creative team for BABY FAT: Act I includes Andy Peterson (Music Director), Samantha Sheppard (Choreographer), You-Shin Chen (Set and Props Designer), Oona Curley (Lighting Designer), Conor Moore (Video Designer), John Sully (Sound Designer), Anchuli Felicia King (Dramaturg), and Ran Xia (Assistant Director). The production team consists of Kyle Cadotte (Producer), Lucia Xiaoron Zhu (General Manager), Sipei Fang (Associate Producer), Joan Wyatt (Production Stage Manager), Abraham Marlett (Assistant Stage Manager), Erik Kaiko (Marketing Manager), Jamibeth Margolis, CSA (Casting Director), and Michael Leibring (Company Manager).

The band includes Mike Hunchback (Screeching Weasel), Keith Patchel (Richard Lloyd Band, Sylvins), Billy Smolen, and Derek Swink (Dizzy Bats).

Please note that Ben Weasel is not performing in this production of BABY FAT: Act I.

BABY FAT: Act I will run for a strictly limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre at 66 East 4th Street, NYC from July 21 - July 23. For more information about the show and to purchase tickets once they become available, check back frequently at:

http://lamama.org/baby_fat/ http://www.columbiastages.org/season/2016/6_Directing%20Thesis%206/Babyfat.html.