Prymus Headlines Uncle Jed's Barbershop, Sept. 20-Oct. 2

Ken Prymus, who appeared as the sage Old Deuteronomy in Cats for seven years, will trade in claws for razors in Uncle Jed's Barbershop, a new musical that will run at the Theatre at St. Clemens (223 West 46th Street) as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival from September 20th through October 2nd.

The musical is based upon the acclaimed Margaree King Mitchell book of the same title, and boasts music by David B. Wohl, lyrics by Wohl and Kenneth Grimes, and a book by Grimes. Directed by Susan Einhorn, it will also feature Darlene Bel Grayson, Nora Cole, Daria Hardeman, Roumel Reaux, Rudy Roberson and Glenn Turner.

In the show, the middle-aged "Sarah Jean returns home from Detroit in the early 1970s in conflict with herself. Her city life and marriage are unfulfilling and she misses the hopeful quest for something 'more,' which growing up with her great uncle [Jed] represented. When she inherits her deceased uncle's shop during the early 1970's, it is initially not as meaningful to her as it was to him. Nonetheless, the power of his dream inspires her to fulfill one of her own. She convinces the community to take on the challenge of building a 'Center For Dreams' on the same site as the shop."

In addition to Cats, Prymus has starred on Broadway in The Wiz and Ain't Misbehavin.' He was recently seen on the West End in The Genius of Ray Charles, and lists "Third Watch," "The Sopranos," "Mad About You" and "NYPD Blue" as some of his TV credits. He appeared on screen in Mob Queen, Identity Crisis and Model Shop; in the film M.A.S.H. he both played Private Seidman and sang the song "Suicide is Painless."

Uncle Jed's Barbershop's performance schedule is: Sept. 20 at 8 PM, Sept. 24 at 9 PM, Sept. 27 at 1 PM, Sept. 29 at 9 PM, Sept. 30 at 5 PM and Oct. 2 at 2 PM. Tickets, which are $15, are available by calling (212) 352-3101 or (866) 811-4111 or by visiting www.nymf.org.