NYC-Wide School Tour of 'LAND THAT I LOVE' Extends Again

The city-wide school tour of Irving Berlin's Land That I Love, featuring music & lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin, The Wedding Singer, Elf the Musical), has extended its performance schedule for the second time due to popular demand and strong audience response, with support from NYC Council Member Vincent Gentile.

Presented by leading NYC arts education nonprofit Inside Broadway (Executive Director, Michael Presser), Land That I Love is a special collaboration between Inside Broadway and the Irving Berlin Family and is specifically produced for New York City public schools.

The tour began in January and will now be performed at over 60 NYC public schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Queens, with over 100 performances thru May 12 (in 2017, Inside Broadway will be serving over 50,000 New York City students with its programs).

In April & May, the tour will visit 10 schools in Council Member Gentile's District 43 in Brooklyn: P.S./I.S 104 K, P.S. 185 K, P.S. 204 K, P.S. 229 K, P.S. 264 K, P.S. 163 K, P.S./I.S. 30 K, P.S. 170 K , I.S. 201 K and I.S. 259 K.

Statement from Councilman Vincent Gentile on Land That I Love: "I had the pleasure of seeing Inside Broadway's wonderful production of Irving Berlin's "Land That I Love!" It is a patriotic, pro-American show that celebrates the diversity of America and New York by reflecting the immigrant experience and representing the core values which make our country and our city the rich land of opportunity for all that we know and love! It honors New York's heritage and history, including our very own beacon of freedom, the Statue of Liberty! I am proud to be able to bring this fantastic and important show to students in my district."

With the American immigrant experience at its center, the musical tells the story of three young immigrants, new to America, who face the struggles of surviving in New York City. The spirit of Irving Berlin, an immigrant as well, acts as their guide as they explore the city and a new way of life. Songs included in this celebration of diversity and American pride are "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "How Deep is the Ocean," "Miss Liberty," "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" and "God Bless America."

"One of the joys of being a producer is the opportunity to revive a special show from our company's past. This year, the 35th anniversary of Inside Broadway, we decided it would be important and appropriate to revive our original musical Land That I Love. This show, with the music of the great Irving Berlin, was an original project that we developed in close cooperation with the Berlin family. We last revived the show in the months following 9/11 when it proved to be a big hit with the schools. The current revival comes as our city and country begin a discussion of the role that immigrants play in America. We hope that the story of these three young immigrants who are learning to be Americans can again inspire our school students and that the music of Irving Berlin, a proud immigrant himself, will again be introduced to a new generation" says Inside Broadway's Executive Director Michael Presser.

The cast features Matthew Curiano, Sarah LaFlamme, Taylor Greatbatch & Hannah Rose and the production will feature Direction and Choreography by Stephen Nachamie, Costume Design by Rien Schlecht, Scenic Design by Carl Tallent, Musical Direction & Accompaniment by John Bowen, Original Arrangements by Corinne Aquilina. Production Stage Manager is Brendan J. O'Brien.

Inside Broadway was established in 1982 by Michael Presser. In 2017 it will reach over 50,000 New York City students in over 100 public schools while developing and producing Equity musical productions that tour to schools as well as a wide range of educational programs that allow participants to interact with professionals in the field and experience theatre hands-on in the classroom. For more information on Inside Broadway, visit www.InsideBroadway.org.

Programs of Inside Broadway are funded by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council, New York City Department of Education, and numerous foundations and individuals.