Ars Nova Presents World Premiere Of RAGS PARKLAND SINGS THE SONGS OF THE FUTURE

Ars Nova, under the leadership of Founding Artistic Director Jason Eagan and Managing Director Renee Blinkwolt, kicks off its 2018-2019 season at its original home with the world premiere of Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future. Created by Andrew R. Butler, a former Ars Nova resident artist and 2018 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient, this sci-fi folk concert is directed by Jordan Fein (Erin Markey's Singlet) and strengthens Ars Nova's reputation as an innovator in stretching the bounds of music-driven theater.

250 years from now, constructed humans are built in black market labs, Mars is a forced labor camp and underground outlaws are brewing rebellion. You might not remember how Beaux Weathers and her band of "illegal intelligence" fought for the right to exist, but Rags Parkland does. Back on Earth for the first time in 10 years, Rags plays the music that carried us to where we are today. But on this planet, the more things change, the more we stay the same.

Founding Artistic Director Jason Eagan remarked,"Since meeting Andrew, and his spellbinding character Rags Parkland, in ANT Fest 2010, we've had the privilege of deepening our relationship with him as both a composer during his Ars Nova residency and as part of the mighty company of actor-musicians from Cesár Alvarez's FUTURITY. Through subsequent concerts and workshops, we've enthusiastically witnessed the development of his character and music into a fully realized, theatrical concert, confirming our hunch that Andrew is both a fascinating performer and a dexterous, versatile composer. We're looking forward to turning the Ars Nova spotlight on him this Fall."

The cast for Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future includes Rick Burkhardt as Rick, Andrew R. Butler as Rags Parkland, Jessie Linden at Devo, Stacey Sargeant at Beaux Weathers, Debbie Christine Tjong as Ess Pinvint and one more artist to be announced.

The creative team includes Madeline Smith (music director), Laura Jellinek (scenic design), Andy Jean (costume design), Barbara Samuels (lighting design), Mikaal Sulaiman (sound design), Jhanaë K-C Bonnick (production stage manager), John C. Moore (assistant stage manager) and Henry Russell Berrgstein, CSA (casting director).

Performances of Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future will take place September 25-October 27 at Ars Nova at 54th Street, 511 West 54th Street in Manhattan. Critics are welcome as of October 3 for an opening on Monday, October 8. Tickets, priced at $35 general and $65 reserved, can be purchased by visiting arsnovanyc.com or by calling 212-352-3101.

Ars Nova's Ticket Initiative, generously supported in part by New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs, underwrites the cost of tickets for all performances, allowing the company to make theater accessible to the next generation of theater-goers. Through that initiative, $20 tickets are available with code MARS for performances September 25-29 and $25 tickets are available with code EARTH for performances October 1-6.

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