TV: RHAPSODY IN SETH Premieres at Triad Tonight, 10/11

Click Here to Play the Video!

Rhapsody in Seth, written by and starring Seth Rudetsky and directed by Peter Flynn, is a one-man, multi-media comedy about an obsession with high-belting Broadway divas, Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue," and growing up in Long Island's North Woodmere. The show traces Rudetsky's childhood on Long Island - where being musically talented was praised, but growing up gay wasn't - all the way to a successful Broadway musical director and comedy writer in New York City.

The show was first produced in the summer 2002 at Ars Nova Theater and enjoyed a run off-Broadway beginning in the spring of 2003 at The Actor's Playhouse. Rhapsody and Seth plays Mondays monthly at the Triad Theater in New York city, beginning tonight, October 11, as part of Rudetsky's Seth's Big Fat Broadway Show.  Rudetsky will also be taking Rhapsody on tour, playing the Ignition Theatre at The Matchbox at the Red Deer Lodge in Alberta, CA from October 14th - 16th, 2010.

While other kids were quoting the stats from their favorite sports teams, Rudetsky was quoting how may E's and F's Betty Buckley, Patti LuPone or Laurie Beechman were hitting. (Patti hit 16 E's in a row in Evita). The show features vintage footage of Rudetsky jazz dancing in leg warmers to "I Am What I Am," a comparison of sassy belting from Buckley (in Drood...), Lupone (in Evita), Beechman (in Joseph...) and Lauren Bacall's basso profundo attempt (in Applause) as well as a demonstration of chest and head voice placement courtesy of Janis Paige in The Pajama Game. Rhapsody In Seth shows how theatre and music was used as an escape and eventually a triumph over an awkward childhood.

Says Rudetsky of the show to BroadwayWorld: "Rhapsody and Seth' is about my life growing up gay and hating my high school. I hated myself and loved myself at the same time. I survived because I knew i had Broadway to go to one day.  The show is so relevant right now in light of all of the attention suicide amongst gay youth is getting. I honestly don't know how I would have survived without knowing I had my Broadway haven awaiting me.  What do they do if they don't have a 'Broadway'?"

"The show is high comedy, of course, but with a serious undertone to it.  It's been so fun revisiting the show."

For more information on Rhapsody in Seth, visit www.rhapsodyinseth.com.  For tickets to the Triad engagements, visit www.triadnyc.com.  For tickets to the Canada engagement this week, visit www.ignitiontheatre.ca. Click below for a video preview of Rhapsody in Seth!

Rudetsky, voted "New York's Funniest Gay Male" at Stand-up NY, is a three-time Emmy nominated writer for his work as a comedy writer on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." He is also responsible for writing the opening diva number for The 1998 Tony Awards and producing/conducting the recent Dreamgirls concert featuring Audra MacDonald and Heather Headley, recorded by Nonesuch Records. Each week he hosts a weekly celebrity talk show, "Seth's Broadway Chatterbox," which benefits Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS where he has interviewed numerous stars such as Matthew Broderick, Bebe Neuwirth and Megan Mullally. Rudetsky also plays piano for many Broadway shows including The Producers, Mamma Mia and Phantom and has played concerts for Broadway stars including Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, Lillias White among others.