Photo Flash: First Look at RAGS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2016/2017 season with a musical saga of immigrant America, Rags. From the creators of Fiddler on the Roof and Wicked, this exhilarating musical follows the journey of Jewish immigrants Rebecca and her son David, who find themselves navigating the teeming, turn-of-the-century tenements of New York. A soaring, tuneful score (music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) illuminates this sweeping saga (book by Joseph Stein) of dreams and disillusions, love lost and inspiration found, and the heart and soul of the American character. It was declared "A winner, warm and witty. You are tempted to rise cheering," by The Mercury News. Rags will be directed by TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley, who notes "this production could not be timelier. As America debates immigration policies, what better time to present this deeper look at the newcomer's experience." Performances are April 5-30 (press opening: April 8) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($35-$86) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

Check out photos of the cast below!

In 1910 at the height of the immigration flooding into America from Eastern Europe, five Jewish refugees travel in the same boat, in search of a new life. Rebecca and her son David have left their destroyed village and hope to reunite with father and husband Nathan, who traveled to America years earlier. Also on the same boat are the Cohens, father Avram and daughter Bella, desperately seeking a better life. Last is young Ben Levitowitz, a young man in search of a start in the land of opportunity. Rags chronicles each of their journeys, from their travels to America, processing at Ellis Island, and as they navigate life in a new world. While in New York Rebecca takes a job sewing in a sweatshop. She meets union supporter Saul who broadens Rebecca's view of the American Dream.

The cast includes Kyra Miller, Jonah Broscow, Donald Corren, Julie Benko, Danny Rothman,Travis Leland, David Bryant, Michelle Drexler, Teressa Foss, Nic Roy Garcia, Brian Herndon, Jake A. Miller, Caitlyn O'Leary, Benjamin Pither, Darlene Popovic, and Christopher Reber.

Photo credit: Kevin Berne

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