POP NATION to Begin Performances Next Month at Hudson

POP NATION, a theatrical social event merging music, theater and the nightclub experience, will begin performances at Hudson (356 W. 58th Street at 9th Avenue) on November 14th with opening night set for January 8th. POP NATION has original music and lyrics by Damon Intrabartolo (bare, "Superman Returns," "X Men 2") and book by Kenny Finkle (Indoor/Outdoor).

Set in the 90s, when iconic boy bands and pop princesses ruled the airwaves, POP NATION is a fusion of original music, technology and spectacular energy.

POP NATION is choreographed by RJ Durell (Katy Perry, Madonna, Britney Spears) with music production / musical design by Kevin Antunes (Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Cirque du Soleil). Set and production design is by Jeff Sugg (Bring It On), costume design is by Andrea Lauer (American Idiot), lighting design is by Jason Lyons (Rock of Ages), and sound design is by Keith Caggiano (Spiderman). Jesse Vargas (Peepshow, Clay Aiken) will be the musical supervisor and casting is by Duncan Stewart CSA/Benton Whitley CSA.

Morgans Hotel Group (owner of Hudson) is collaborating with POP NATION to bring back theater to the hotel experience. POP NATION will re-imagine the multi-level space beneath the hotel and turn it into an entertainment destination.

The cast of POP NATION includes: Anthony Fedorov ("American Idol", RENT, Les Miserables), Robert Hager (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie), Lauren Zakrin (MTV's Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), Austin Colby (Smokey Joe's Café), Chris Dwan (Harmony, Oklahoma!), Isabelle ("This Is Me", "American Idol"), Ty Jones (Julius Caesar, Henry IV), Jonathan Kaplan (Falsettos), Aashley Morgan (RENT), Jennifer Noble (Ghost, The Musical), Thom Sesma (The Times They Are A Changin', Man Of La Mancha) Mack Shirilla (Big River, Children of Eden), Michael Tacconi (A Little More Alive), Josh Tolle (Next To Normal), and Tashiana Washington ("Gimme The Loot").

POP NATION is lead produced by Canton Theatrical LLC. Co-Producers include Todd Gershwin & Dan Chilewich, Hawkeye & Co, Trot LLC, Ernie Lake, Kevin Antunes, Sharleen Cooper Cohen, Allan & Adam Gordon/David Eck/Brendan Hahn, Jason Borg/Michael P Demetriou, Nomsa Pass, David Nichols & Jack DePalma.

"POP NATION aspires to extend the form of musical theater to something new," said director Anthony J. Cantalupo. "As our daily lives become more virtual, the need for shared human experiences becomes more essential. POP NATION was born as a response to that. The marriage of live performance, technology and this beloved era of music seems to be the perfect response to that craving."

LISTINGS INFORMATION: POP NATION plays at Hudson, (356 W. 58th Street at 9th Avenue) beginning Friday, November 14th. Opening night is January 8th. Performances are Monday at 7pm, Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 7pm and 10:30pm, Saturday at 7pm and 10:30pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets range from $89 - $139. Tickets are available at TicketMaster.com, 1-800-982-2787. Visit www.PopNationLive.com for additional information.