Hoff, Arden, Rapp and Others Perform Shakespeare 'Variations'

On Monday, August 4th, at 8:00pm the New Globe Theater will be presenting VARIATIONS ON SHAKESPEARE: An Evening of Songs Inspired by the Bard. This benefit concert will highlight songs from musicals based on the works of William Shakespeare with performances by some of Broadway's hottest stars.

The works of William Shakespeare have always served as a true inspiration for many playwrights and composers over the years, with some of the most famous musical theatre pieces inspired by the Bard's plays. Kiss Me, Kate inspired Cole Porter to transform the classic Taming of the Shrew, and gave us such great songs as "Too Darn Hot" and "So In Love." The Comedy of Errors was the play that inspired Rodgers and Hart to pen the hit musical The Boys From Syracuse and the most famous musical of them all, West Side Story, is a beautiful musical re-telling of Romeo And Juliet set in 1950's New York City.

The evening will be hosted by Tony Award winner Mark Rylance, the first Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe in London who is currently treading the boards in the hilarious hit revival of Boeing-Boeing, with appearances and performances by Broadway and TV Star Tom Cavanagh (TV's Ed, Urinetown, Shenandoah), Anthony Rapp (original cast of RENT, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown), Tony Award winner Christian Hoff (Jersey Boys, upcoming Pal Joey), Tony Award nominee Alice Ripley (Side Show, Next to Normal), and Michael Arden (The Times They Are A Changing, BARE) with more names to be announced shortly! The evening will be directed by Igor Goldin with musical direction by David Andrews Rogers.

Ticket prices range from $50 (general admission) to $150 (VIP). The concert will be held at the New World Stages, located at 340 West 50th Street in the heart of New York City. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, July 7th and can be purchased through www.newglobe.org.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.