RUTHLESS! Will Return to NYC Stage in September to Benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights
By: Nicole Rosky Jul. 28, 2014
Ruthless!, the award-winning Off-Broadway musical comedy (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle), opened in 1992 and showcased the early talents of soon-to-be stars Britney Spears, Natalie Portman and Laura Bell Bundy.
For this production, composer Marvin Laird, longtime conductor for Bernadette Peters, is putting down his baton and putting on pantyhose to take on the role of the infamous Sylvia St. Croix in what has been called "the stage mother of all musicals!" Tickets cost $45 and $35. There is a two-drink minimum for all shows. To purchase tickets, visit:http://ruthlessthemusical.brownpapertickets.com
The creation of Ruthless! began when Joel Paley (book and lyrics) became inspired by the screen and stage thriller The Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson. Collaborating with Laird, Paley initially pursued creating a spin-off of the production, but after unsuccessful attempts to secure the rights from Anderson's estate, the pair decided to use their vision to create an entirely new musical, Ruthless!. Influenced by the actions of diabolical eight-year-old Rhonda Penmark in The Bad Seed, Paley pondered what would cause a young girl to murder. "I know," Paley thought, "I would kill for the lead in the school play!" And so Tina Denmark, the pocket-sized demonic diva of Ruthless!, came to life.
In creating the musical, Paley and Laird drew upon inspiration from theatrical films such as All About Eve,The Women and Gypsy. The musical will come to life under the direction of Paley who channeled his inner Tina Denmark saying, "I myself didn't have to kill anyone to get the lead in the school play having been cast as Oliver in Oliver. But if I didn't get the part, who knows?"
Creators Laird and Paley star in this fully staged concert production with guest star Rita McKenzie from the original Los Angeles company as Lita Encore.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $250 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States. Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.
For more information about Broadway Cares, visit them online at broadwaycares.org, on Facebook atfacebook.com/BCEFA, on Twitter at twitter.com/BCEFA, on YouTube at youtube.com/BCEFAtv and on Instagram at instagram.com/BCEFA.
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