The Tank Presents Celluloid 5/13-16

CELLULOID is the story of a Philadelphia filmmaker, Jack Hudson, pursuing his dream in the late 1970's. Film production is being threatened by video. The industry for small filmmakers is faltering but Jack will never give up in his search for the "Big One"; the contract that will put his company, Motion Picture Arts, on top. He remains upbeat regardless of the disappointments and set backs that beleaguer him. His faithful employee's romances, personal tragedies and love affairs evolve around him but Jack's crazy schemes to make a buck keeps them driving relentlessly forward to reach the success they are dreaming of; a dream, that is perhaps, just a dream.

The show is alive with an upbeat musical score composed by award winning jazz pianist/composer Dick Durham and includes show tunes, ballads and jazz. It offers finger snapping, introspective, off the wall and romantic moments that will get you thinking and leave you laughing. It grabs the hearts of all of us who have experienced the universal problems surrounding life, love, relationships and careers.

Thursday, May 13, 2010; 7:00pm - $15
Friday, May 14, 2010; 7:00pm - $15
Saturday, May 15, 2010; 3:00 & 7:00pm - $15
Sunday, May 16, 2010; 3:00 & 7:00pm - $15
Location: The Tank at 354 W. 45th Street, New York, NY 10036
A, C, E, to 42nd Street; 1, 2, 3, S, 7 to Time Square

Book and lyrics by Earl Lewin
Score by Dick Durham

The show is directed by Earl Lewin and accompanied by The Dick Durham Trio live.

Cast Includes:
Tim Mullally
Kaitie Iacona
Rhonda Jensen
Mark Epperson
Ben Prayz
Matthew Cowan
George Golden
Bob Brower
Angelo Angrisani

http://www.celluloidthemusical.com

Presale tickets are available here:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/103435

"Celluloid", with book and lyrics by Earl Lewin of Chestertown, Maryland and music by Dick Durham of Church Hill, Maryland premiered in 2006 to critical acclaim at Church Hill Theatre on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It is currently in the final weeks of rehearsal with a professional New York cast. The cast includes Tim Mullally, Katie Iacona, Rhonda Jensen, Joel Cardona, Mark Epperson, Ben Prayz, Matthew Cowan, George Golden, Bob Brower and Angelo Angisani. Production Stage Manager is Ruth Gersh and Lighting is by Fabio Blazina

Lewin and Durham decided to bring the play to New York after encouragement from respected Broadway professionals who reviewed the work, including director Mark Bramble, and George White, founder of the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theatre.

The 2006 production of "Celluloid" drew critical praise, including such comments as, "good pacing, catchy tunes, clever lyrics and extraordinarily disciplined rhyme schemes," to "a helluva diverting evening," to "reaches out to a more reflective level of human feeling."

Lewin, the author and director of a number of dinner theater musicals has also directed and acted. He is a published playwright. He wrote and directed film for GE for many years and started his own company that produced film and video for major businesses and the government. He holds degrees in theater, radio, film and communications from Temple University, and has been an adjunct professor of film at Rowan University.

Durham, pianist, composer and arranger, has been playing standard jazz for 45 years, first throughout the nation, before returning more than 30 years ago to his East Coast roots. He has performed or worked in conjunction with such notables as Count Basie, Grover Washington and Stefan Scaggiari. He holds advanced degrees in music, and his many recordings are available on cdbaby.com. He was awarded the Maryland Governor's Citation for Artistic Merit for his scores of "Celluloid" and an earlier Lewin-Durham musical comedy collaboration, "She Stoops to Conquer".
About The Tank
Founded in 2003, The Tank is a non-profit arts presenter whose mission is to provide a welcoming, creative, collaborative, and affordable environment for artists and activists engaged in the pursuit of new ideas. Through a wide range of low-cost, high-concept arts and public affairs programming, The Tank seeks to cultivate a new generation of audience for live performance, civic discourse, and the work of emerging artists.

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