Photo Coverage: Rags Concert Press Preview
By: Walter McBride Dec. 03, 2006
A press rehearsal for Rags, which will be presented on December 11th, 2006 as the 4th Annual World AIDS Day Concert, recently took place. This year's presentation, a 20th Anniversary Concert of the musical, will be held at Times Square's brand new Nokia Theater.
The concert will star 2-time Tony-nominee Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia!, Lestat, Parade) as Rebecca, 4-time Tony-nominee Gregg Edelman (Wonderful Town, Into the Woods) as Nathan, Michael Rupert (upcoming Legally Blonde, Tony for Falsettos) as Avram, Lainie Kazan (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Beaches, "The Nanny") as Rachel, Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn) as young Bella, a new immigrant to America, David A. Austin (I Love You Because) as Ben, a young Jewish entrepreneur focused on winning Bella's heart, Lewis Cleale (Spamalot) as Saul, John Treacy Egan (The Producers) as Big Tim, and Struan Erlenborn (last year's Secret Garden concert, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang) as young David.
Rags, "tells the story of Rebecca, an immigrant who finds herself and her young son, David, very much alone in the brand new world of America. Through Rebecca's encounters and relationships with others experiencing similar struggles, Rags tells of the American experience when the 'melting pot,' was an ideal many hoped to be a part of. In a time when immigration is a heavily debated topic, Rags reminds us of the intense struggle so many of our immigrant ancestors fought, to make this country what it is today," state press materials. Rags features music by Tony Award-winner Charles Strouse (Bye, Bye, Birdie; Annie), lyrics by Academy and Grammy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Prince of Egypt), and a book by Tony Award winner Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba Presented by Jamie McGonnigal in association with The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation, the concert will be directed by Stafford Arima (Altar Boyz, The West End's Ragtime, The Secret Garden in Concert).
Visit www.WorldAIDSDayConcert.org for more information.
Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
David A. Austin, Eden Espinosa and Lewis Cleale
Gregg Edelman and Carolee Carmello
Gregg Edelman and Carolee Carmello
Carolee Carmello
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