Nick Cearley Performs an Evening of Bill Russell Songs, 6/9

Bill Russell directs Nick Cearley in 'still bill - lyrics and poems by Bill Russell' at the Canal Room, June 9th with special guests Alice Ripley and Lauren Molina.

Nick Cearley, a young performer who has enjoyed a long association with Tony nominee Bill Russell, will perform an evening of Russell's lyrics and poems on June 9th at the Canal Room, directed by Russell. He will be joined by special guests Alice Ripley (Next To Normal, Side Show) and Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages, Sweeney Todd). The band includes Shannon Ford, Christian Imboden and Chris Schelling.

Cearley was seen in the First National Tour of All Shook Up and in recent regional premieres of Altar Boyz, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Pageant (directed by Russell) and is slated for the upcoming Diary of a Dabbler at Luna Stage. Nick also appeared in early workshops and readings of Russell's recent musicals: The Last Smoker in America and A Bad Spell.

Russell received Tony nominations for the book and lyrics for Side Show. He wrote book and lyrics for Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens and Lucky Duck and co-authored the same for the Off-Broadway hit Pageant. Ripley shared a nomination with Emily Skinner for her portrayal of conjoined twin Violet Hilton in Side Show, and received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical last year for her performance in Next To Normal.

The one night concert promises "re-funkified" highlights from Bill Russell's collection of poems and songs. Musicals represented include Side Show, Kept, Fourtune, Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens and recent shows and works-in-progress including The Last Smoker in America, Up in the Air, Patter for the Floating Lady, Unexpected Joy, and A Bad Spell. Music is composed by Russell's collaborators Henry Krieger, Janet Hood, Peter Melnick and Ron Melrose and will feature an original tune by Cearley and Molina set to one of Russell's poems.

The Canal Room is located in Manhattan at 285 West Broadway (at Canal Street). Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at canalroom.com or by calling (212) 941- 8100.

 

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