Photo Flash: Theatreworks Presents WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS!

Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Dir.; Ken Arthur, Producing Dir.),the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, is pleased to announce that Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond will serve as Opening Night Co-Chairs for its 22nd Annual Free Summer Theatre Program. This summer's featured production is the world premiere of the new musical WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS!

WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS! begins performances on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher St.) and continues through Friday, August 13. The Opening Night benefit performance is Wednesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Rock out with America's original "boy band" -- The Founding Fathers! Join George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin as they trade in their powdered wigs for power chords to help an ambitious teen.

On a quest to win her school election, Dawn cares more about padding her college applications than making her school a better place. With the help of these Fab Four, she discovers that "We the People" have the power to raise a patriotic ruckus and make a difference!

Jon Stewart meets the Jonas Brothers in the world premiere of WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS!, a hip new musical for the whole family.

Directed by Gordon Greenberg (Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well...) and choreographed by Michele Lynch (Everyday Rapture), WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS! features a book by Joe Iconis (Bloodsong of Love) and songs from Brad Alexander and Kevin Del Aguila; Sam Forman and Eli Bolin; Joe Iconis; Tommy Newman; Ryan Scott Oliver; Adam Overett; and Erik Weiner, Mark Weiner and Jordan Allen-Dutton.

WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS! features F. Michael Haynie as John Adams, Abe Goldfarb as Benjamin Franklin, Jamie LaVerdiere as Thomas Jefferson, Colin McAdoo as George Washington and Badia Farha as Dawn. Justin Flagg and Brittany N. Williams are the understudies.

The production features scenic design by Adam Koch, costume design by Lora LaVon, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, sound design by Michael Eisenberg, music direction by J. Oconer Navarro and orchestrations by Greg Pliska.

Launched in 1989, the mission of Theatreworks USA's Free Summer Theatre Program is to provide New York City youth with their own free theatre tradition that not only entertains, but also educates and fosters positive values and an appreciation for theatre. More than 20,000 FREE tickets will be distributed to WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS! this summer.

TICKETING AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tickets for WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS! are FREE and available on a first-come, first-served basis in-person at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Box Office (121 Christopher St.) on the day of the performance, one hour prior to curtain time. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per adult.

WE THE PEOPLE: AMERICA ROCKS! is a 60-minute, one-act musical, recommended for children ages eight (8) and up. The performance schedule is as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Thursday - 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sunday - 2 p.m.

SCHEDULE EXCEPTIONS: There is no 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. performance on Thursday, July 8, and no 1 p.m. performance on Friday, July 9. There is an added 10:30 a.m. performance on Saturday, July 10. There is no 10:30 a.m. performance on Wednesday, July 14.

(There are no free tickets available for the Opening Night benefit performance on Wednesday, July 14, although tickets for this performance can be purchased by calling 212-647-1100 ext 126.)

Summer camps, youth programs and social service organizations can make reservations for groups of ten (10) or more by calling 212-627-7373.

Because Theatreworks USA accepts reservations from summer camps, public distribution tickets are extremely limited for the weekday daytime performances. Availability is usually better for evening and weekend performances. Once all tickets are distributed, any remaining patrons will be admitted at curtain time on a space-available basis.

Reservations cannot be made by the general public*. Theatreworks USA only accepts reservations from not-for-profit and educational organizations. Therefore, public distribution tickets are limited for the weekday morning/afternoon performances. Individual ticket availability is better for evening and weekend performances, which are entirely open to the public.

* DON'T WANT TO WAIT IN LINE, BUT STILL WANT TO SEE THE SHOW?
If you want great reserved seats in the orchestra then make a donation to Free Summer Theatre! All donations are 100% tax-deductible and will go directly to offset program costs.For every $50 you donate, you are entitled to one reserved VIP seat for the performance of your choice. Limit 10 tickets per donor. No exchanges or refunds. For more information, call 212-647-1100 ext. 126 or email development@twusa.org.

For more information, please visit www.twusa.org.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Jamie LaVerdiere, Badia Farha, Colin McAdoo and F. Michael Haynie

Jamie LaVerdiere, F. Michael Haynie and Colin McAdoo

Jamie LaVerdiere, F. Michael Haynie, Colin McAdoo and Badia Farha