Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of ROCK & ROLL MAN
Rock & Roll Man, starring Tony Award-nominee Constantine Maroulis and Emmy Award-winner Joe Pantoliano, officially opened at New World Stages, Stage 3 (340 West 50th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos here!
Joe Pantoliano Joins The Cast Of ROCK & ROLL MAN
Emmy Award-winner Joe Pantoliano has joined the cast of Rock & Roll Man. Pantoliano, known affectionately as “Joey Pants,” will star alongside the previously announced Tony Award-nominee Constantine Maroulis in the New York premiere of the new musical celebrating the life of the legendary Alan Freed.
BWW Feature: From Page to Stage - The Story Behind ROCK AND ROLL MAN: THE ALAN FREED STORY at Berkshire Theatre Group.
The impetus behind ROCK AND ROLL MAN: THE ALAN FREED STORY was not the Freed family. Gary Kupper was approached by Larry Marshak, with whom he had worked for many years, about a third party's desire to do a story about Alan Freed as a 'jukebox musical'. The intention was that Kupper might be able to write a couple of songs for the piece. Kupper realized that Freed's story is a classic one. A rise and fall and then redemption story that can't be told as a jukebox musical because Alan Freed wasn't a singer. He feels that a jukebox musical would have cheated the story. This is the story of this man, and the story of Rock-and-Roll. That notion gave birth to the 'book musical'. In 2011, Kupper started writing original songs and sometime later, the team started writing the script. Freed's son, Lance, stepped-in and helped to secure the rights to the Rock-and-Roll classics. They have combined the music of the era with storytelling. They admit it's both risky and tricky and has never really been done to the extent that it is in this show. Thirty to thirty-five original songs were written, most of which were thrown out. A little more than a dozen are in the current iteration of the show.
BWW Review: ROCK AND ROLL MAN: THE ALAN FREED STORY at Berkshire Theatre Group Puts A Spell On The Berkshires.
There is a lot to like packed into this production directed by Randal Myler. The action is well paced and well-staged. The use of turntables, tiering, and scrims are particularly effective elements of the scenic design by Tim Mackabee. The choreography by Brian Reeder, and costumes designed by Leon Dobkowski present a feast for the eyes. The entire 19-members of the cast deliver in acting, singing, and dancing. It would be an oversight not to call out the performance of Richard Crandle. His portrayal of Little Richard is brassy, sassy, and all kinds of Woooooooo. The audience is noticeably energized when Crandle is on stage and few wish he would 'shet-up' as if that were even remotely possible.
Photo: ROCK AND ROLL MAN: THE ALAN FREED STORY Holds First Read Through
The Berkshire Theatre Group cast of Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story had their first read through earlier this week in New York City! Rock and Roll Man is being presented by Berkshire Theatre Group, in association with five-time Tony Award-Winning Caiola Productions (Once on this Island, Dear Evan Hansen, The Color Purple, All The Way, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf). Rock and Roll Man has a book by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak and Rose Caiola, with original music and lyrics by Gary Kupper.
NY Singer/Songwriter Mark Newman to Perform in China with The Dave Keyes Band
As he gets ready for the release of his latest LP “Empirical Truth” (set to drop in late August or early September via Danal Music) - multi-talented singer/songwriter and guitarist Mark Newman is heading to China for a string of dates performing in the Dave Keyes Band beginning Wednesday, July 4th! (Full List of Tour Dates Below)
Photo Flash: ROCK AND ROLL MAN Celebrates Opening Night
A bevy of New York talent and Broadway producers mingled with guests in New Hope, PA, during the cast party held at Hotel du Village following the opening night performance of 'Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story', a Caiola Production, making its world premiere at Bucks County Playhouse through October 1, 2017. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!
Photo Flash: First Look at 'ROCK AND ROLL MAN' World Premiere at Bucks County Playhouse
'Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story' is making its world premiere at Bucks County Playhouse through October 1, 2017. The high energy musical drama stars Tony-nominee Alan Campbell ('Sunset Blvd.') as Alan Freed and multiple-Emmy nominee George Wendt (Norm from 'Cheers') as J. Edgar Hoover. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
40 Years Ago Tomorrow, Penguin Rep Was Born
When Penguin Rep Theatre opens its month-long run of COBB, Lee Blessing's play about the legendary baseball player Ty Cobb, today, it will be exactly 40 years to the day since the enterprising company gave its first performance...