P.J. Benjamin to Reprise Role in CHARLIE AND ALGERNON at Feinstein's/54 Below
As previously announced, the 1980 musical based on the beloved novel Flowers For Algernon will come to life again for one night only at Feinstein's/54 Below. The show's original star, P.J. Benjamin (Wicked, Chicago, Sophisticated Ladies and more), will reprise several of the songs he originated on Broadway 46 years ago this September. He will be joined by his wife Louisa Flaningam (Guys and Dolls, The Most Happy Fella, The Magic Show).
From the team that is bringing ONWARD VICTORIA, Feinstein's/54 Below, comes another wonderful musical with a rarely-heard score. CHARLIE AND ALGERNON features a score by Charles Strouse, the Tony Award-winning composer of Annie, Applause, Rags and Bye, Bye, Birdie with a book and lyrics by David Rogers. The short-lived musical opened on Broadway at The Helen Hayes Theatre on September 14th, 1980 and closed on September 28th, only 17 performances later. It traces the mental and emotional development of Charlie Gordon, a disabled young man who becomes the first human test-subject for an ambitious experiment. Through his friendship with a white mouse named Algernon, we watch Charlie tackle the highs and lows of life.
Over the course of the evening, three different actors will play the title role, charting his progression and regression. In addition to P.J. Benjamin, Be More Chill star George Salazar and 2-time MAC Award-nominee Stearns Matthews will take turns as Charlie. Additional cast members include 7-time MAC Award-winner Natalie Douglas as Lita, Vanessa Spica as Alice Kinnian, Kristen Gehling as Mrs. Donner, Paul Thomas Ryan as Dr. Strauss and Thia Stephan as Charlie's Mom. The show's original Alice, Sandy Faison, will narrate the one-night-only concert. Additional casting will be announced at a later date. The evening is produced and directed by Steven Carl McCasland, with Musical Direction by James Horan.
Tickets are now available at 54below.com/events/charlie-algernon-concert.
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