Philadelphia Theatre Presents Musical Song Cycle STARS OF DAVID World Premiere, Now thru 11/18

Philadelphia Theatre Company opens its 2012-2013 season with the world premiere of the new musical song cycle Stars of David tonight, October 17 - November 18 at Philadelphia Theatre Company's home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Stars of David is a musical stage adaptation of Abigail Pogrebin's highly-acclaimed book Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk about Being Jewish. Conceived by Aaron Harnick, it is a snapshot of Jewish identity through the interviews with some of America's most recognizable public figures, including: Gloria Steinem, Aaron Sorkin, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Edgar Bronfman, Sr., Joan Rivers, Norman Lear, Tony Kushner and Wendy Wasserstein.

With a book by Charles Busch (The Tale of the Allergist's Wife) and directed by Gordon Greenberg, the interviews will be transformed into songs by composers and lyricists including William Finn (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening), Tom Kitt (Next To Normal), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, Or Change), Michael Friedman (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Marilyn & Alan Bergman (Yentl), Amanda Green (High Fidelity), Nathan Tysen & Chris Miller (The Burnt Part Boys), Susan Birkenhead (Jelly's Last Jam), and one of the last songs written by the late Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line), among others.

Stars of David was given its first public reading by Philadelphia Theatre Company in their PTC@Play Festival of new work in February, 2012.

Stars of David brings together an ensemble cast featuring Nancy Balbirer, Alex Brightman, Joanna Glushak, Brad Oscar, and Donna Vivino.

Previews begin tonight, October 17 with opening night on Wednesday, October 24. Performances run Tuesday through Sunday until November 18. Tickets starting at $51 are available by calling the Box Office at 215-985-0420 or visiting PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org.

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