Alysha Umphress, Derek Klena and More Join RAZIA'S SHADOW at Joe’s Pub; Full Cast Announced!

A slew of Broadway talent will rock songs from RAZIA'S SHADOW, the cult-sensation indie rock concept album making its stage debut at Joe's Pub November 28-29.

The cast includes Alysha Umphress (American Idiot, Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Derek Klena (Carrie, Dogfight), Katrina Rose Diderickson (Hairspray, RENT, Things to Ruin), Ryah Nixon (9 to 5), Corey Mach (Godspell, Wicked, RENT), Eric Michael Krop (Godspell), Damon Daunno (Brief Encounter), Molly Hager (Fat Camp), Jason Collins (The Blue Flower), Andi Alhadeff, and Razia's Shadow composer Thomas Dutton (lead singer of Forgive Durden) with Iris Elton, Amy Linden, Patrick Shelton, and Jonathan Whitton.

After years as a cult sensation, the concept album RAZIA'S SHADOW by Forgive Durden will make its New York stage debut in a concert presentation at Joe's Pub featuring a score by Thomas Dutton and Paul Dutton, book by Lonnie Angle, and direction by Brandon Ivie (assistant director, A Christmas Story). After quickly selling-out Wednesday, November 28th at 9:30pm, a second concert has been added on Thursday, November 29th at 7:30pm.

RAZIA'S SHADOW was originally a conceptual rock musical album released by the indie-rock band Forgive Durden in 2008 on Atlantic Records. Drawing on a love for Broadway musicals and a childhood filled with Disney VHS tapes, writers (and brothers) Thomas & Paul Dutton brought to life a story of star-crossed lovers fighting for their love in a divided world, featuring a plethora of guest singers and soaring orchestrations backed by thundering rock drums. After a year of touring and performing RAZIA'S SHADOW, Thomas wanted to bring the album to its next level--the stage.

With librettist Lonnie Angle on board, the trio has continued developing the piece with The Public Theater in New York. Exploring themes of tolerance, redemption, and the strength of the human spirit, RAZIA'S SHADOW tells a tale of parallel forbidden love stories set in an alternate universe before murder exists. With a massive mountain range splitting the world in two, only truelove's sacrifice can reunite the two halves. The show was a finalist for this year's Yale Institute for Music Theatre as well as NAMT's New Works Festival.

Director Brandon Ivie is currently assistant directing Broadway's A Christmas Story and has also worked on the Broadway productions of next to normal and Catch Me If You Can. Ivie is artistic director of Contemporary Classics, where RAZIA'S SHADOW had its initial development as a stage musical.

RAZIA'S SHADOW was originally released on Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Records in 2008 and featured guest performances from bands such as Panic At The Disco, Say Anything, Portugal. The Man, Saves The Day, mewithoutYou, The Hush Sound, The Dear Hunter, and others.

RAZIA'S SHADOW plays Joe's Pub at The Public Theater on Wednesday, November 28 at 9:30pm and Thursday, November 29 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 plus a two drink minimum and can be purchased at www.joespub.com.