World Premiere of ON THE RAILS Begins Tonight Off-Broadway

Algonquin Theater Productions and Jason Hewitt welcome Lindsay Nicole Chambers (Lysistrata Jones, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Mel Johnson Jr. (Jekyll & Hyde, Hot Feet, The Lion King, Big Deal, The Rink, Eubie!, On the Twentieth Century), and James Ludwig (Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors) for the world premiere of ON THE RAILS, a new musical with book by Tony Sportiello (Second Chance, National Pastime), music and lyrics by Al Tapper (Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle), arrangements and musical direction by David Wolfson, and directed by Misti B. Wills (In Search of Euphoria).

The Off-Broadway engagement will take place at the Roy Arias 777 Theatre (777 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036). Performances begin tonight, September 13th, and continue through Sunday, November 20th, 2016. Opening Night is Sunday, September 18th at 7:00 pm.

With musical finesse and artistry, Chambers and Ludwig each take on three vastly different personalities. Guided by a melodic train conductor portrayed by Johnson Jr. the tales of three troubled couples unfold--the couple questioning their fidelity, or on the verge of career suicide, or facing their own mortality--all on board a mystical, and timeless locomotive. Discover life and death, love and heartbreak, ambition and despair, On the Rails, as we journey forward, each to our own surprising and inevitable destination.

Featuring scenic design by April Bartlett, lighting design by Michael O'Connor, costume design by Jacob A. Climer, and sound design by Josh Liebert. Production management by Kacey Gritters, and the production stage manager is Melanie Morgan. Casting by Wojcik|Seay.

On the Rails plays the following schedule through November 20th, 2016*: Tuesdays at 8:00 pm, Wednesdays at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Thursdays at 8:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm. *Please note new Schedule and Exceptions: There will be no matinees on the first week of performances (Sept 13-18). The Sun, September 18th performance (Opening Night) will take place at 7:00 pm.

Tickets are $60.00 ($40 Students and Seniors) and can be purchased online at www.ontherailsshow.com or by calling 212-352-3101. 777 Theater is located at 777 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036.

Lindsay Nicole Chambers (Kim/Karen/Marie) is excited to be back at the Roy Arias 777 Theatre, where she originated the role of Robyn in Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, and happy to be reunited with Jimmy Ludwig, the Dentist to her Audrey in Berkshire Theatre Group's Little Shop of Horrors! Broadway: Lysistrata Jones (Robin), Legally Blonde (u/s Serena, Enid, Kate/Chutney), Hairspray (u/s Penny, Female Authority Figure); Off (and Off-Off Broadway: Forbidden Broadway (various theater legends), Triassic Parq (Velociraptor of Science); various commercials and voice overs. Gail Liner in "Submissions Only" at www.submissionsonly.com. Follow her on Instagram and tweet her @heyitsLNC.

Mel Johnson JR. (Conductor) on Broadway Mr Johnson most recently was featured in the musical revival of Jekyll and Hyde. He has starred in Hot Feet, featuring the music of Earth Wind and Fire, as Mufasa in The Lion King, in Bob Fosse's Big Deal, The Rink with Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera, Eubie!, and On the 20th Century. Mr Johnson also currently tours the nation starring in his one man show Frederick Douglas in the Shadow of Slavery, written and directed by Tom Dugan. His National Tour/Off-Broadway credits include, The Road to Damascus at 59E59, Stephen Sondheim's Road Show at The Public Theatre, Shakespeare in the Park's revival of Two Gentleman of Verona, Jelly's Last Jam with Maurice Hines, Boys from Syracuse Encores!; Pretty Hunger, Venus and Spell #7 at The Public Theatre; Hamlet with Roundabout Theatre, Rap Master Ronnie, and Do Lord Remember Me at The American Place Theatre. His extensive Regional Theatre work includes, among others, One Man Two Guvnors at Rep Theatre of St Louis, The Wiz at Baltimore CenterStage, Driving Miss Daisy at Hartford TheaterWorks, Pirates! at The Huntington Theatre, Raisin at Crossroads Theatre, Old Timers Game at Actors Theater of Louisville, History of the American Film at Hartford Stage Co., Sizwe Banzi is Dead at A.C.T Seattle, and The Blood Knot at The Virginia Museum Theatre. Among his notable film work was Co-Starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Benny in Total Recall, American Blue Note, Intimate Strangers, and In the Shadow of the Cobra. On television Mr. Johnson was a series regular on David Lynch's "On the Air" and guest starred on a variety of show's among them "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", "The Practice", "Fresh Prince of Bel Air", and "Liberty" the mini-series.

James Ludwig (Larry/Jake/Terry) Broadway: Spamalot (Original Cast), Little Shop of Horrors. Off Broadway: Two Point Oh, Blue Man Group, Bubbly Black Girl... (Playwrights Horizons), De La Guarda, john & jen (Original Cast); Tours: Spamalot (Las Vegas), 101 Dalmatians (1 st Nat'l); Regional: W.H.A.T.: Period of Adjustment; Baltimore CenterStage: Raisin Cycle; George Street: God of Carnage, Ctrl+Alt+Delete; Arena Stage: A Man's a Man; McCarter: Christmas Carol; Theatre Aspen: The Full Monty. Film/TV: That's News to Me, "Lipstick Jungle", "Chappelle's Show", Ghost Town. James owns Back40 Films, which produces the wildly popular show "The Happy Hour Guys" (thehappyhourguys.com). Education: BA, U of M (Go Blue!), MFA, U of Washington. Proud Actors' Equity Member, follow @JimmyLudwigNYC. Best gig ever: Husband to KB.