Rachel Klein News

The cast of THE ANTHEM, an original musical lovingly inspired by the classic Ayn Rand Novella, 'Anthem', with a book by Gary Morgenstein, music by Jonnie Rockwell and lyrics by Erik Ransom, is currently in rehearsals. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal!

On April 27, 2014 a private reading of the upcoming musical adaptation of BRAVE NEW WORLD took place in an undisclosed Midtown Manhattan venue.

Libertine Idol Productions and Charles Czarnecki are presenting the world premiere of Erik Johannes von Ransom's GRINDR The Opera in concert on May 2nd and 3rd at The West End Cabaret, with direction by Rachel Klein. GRINDR is an unauthorized musical parody of the eponymous gay hook-up app that has sweepingly altered the course of modern gay intimacy.

JJJ Productions in Association with Culture Project and Aaron Grant Theatrical, Inc have announced that the world premiere of THE ANTHEM, an original musical lovingly inspired by the classic Ayn Rand Novella, 'Anthem', with a book by Gary Morgenstein, music by Jonnie Rockwell and lyrics by Erik Ransom will begin previews on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, Off-Broadway at Culture Project's Lynn Redgrave Theatre on 45 Bleecker Street. This musical helmed by Rachel Klein officially opens on Thursday, May 29, 2014. Spiderman's JASON GOTAY, Spring Awakening's REMY ZAKEN and RANDY JONES of The Village People lead a cast of theatrical favorites in this rollicking sci-fi musical, featuring an expansive aerial and circus environment, about a revolt of the young against an evil state.

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) is pleased to announce the initial slate of speakers confirmed to participate in the 6th annual Produced By Conference (PBC).

Just last night, Theater for the New City paid tribute to the playwright and theater critic Mario Fratti (whose adaptation of the Federico Fellini film 8 ½ became the Broadway musical NINE) at the 11th annual LOVE 'N COURAGE benefit at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) in New York City. An annual evening to benefit TNC's Emerging Playwrights Program, this year's LOVE 'N COURAGE event featured appearances by Liliane Montevecchi, Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham, two-time Tony winner Tammy Grimes accompanied by Alex Rybeck, singer Anna Bergman accompanied by William Hicks, Austin Pendleton, Katharine Cullison, cabaret star KT Sullivan, Inma Heredia, Human Kinetics Movement Arts, Rachel Klein Dance Company, Jocab Merrick Storms, the Yip Harburg Foundation Rainbow Troupe, and Michael-David Gordon and TNC's Street Theater Company. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the performances below!

Just last night, Theater for the New City paid tribute to the playwright and theater critic Mario Fratti (whose adaptation of the Federico Fellini film 8 ½ became the Broadway musical NINE) at the 11th annual LOVE 'N COURAGE benefit at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) in New York City. An annual evening to benefit TNC's Emerging Playwrights Program, this year's LOVE 'N COURAGE event featured appearances by Liliane Montevecchi, Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham, two-time Tony winner Tammy Grimes accompanied by Alex Rybeck, singer Anna Bergman accompanied by William Hicks, Austin Pendleton, Katharine Cullison, cabaret star KT Sullivan, Inma Heredia, Human Kinetics Movement Arts, Rachel Klein Dance Company, Jocab Merrick Storms, the Yip Harburg Foundation Rainbow Troupe, and Michael-David Gordon and TNC's Street Theater Company. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photo coverage below!

Liliane Montevecchi - the celebrated actress best-known for her Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning performance in the musical NINE - will lead the line-up for theatre artists paying tribute to the playwright and theater critic Mario Fratti (whose adaptation of the Federico Fellini film 8 ½ became the Broadway musical NINE), when Theater for the New City presents its 11th annual LOVE 'N COURAGE benefit on Monday, February 24 at 6 pm at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) in New York City.

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today that the 2014 Produced By Conference (PBC) will be hosted by Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. on June 7-8, 2014.

Urban Stages, in association with producer/director/lyricist Peter Napolitano have announced additions to WINTER RHYTHMS 2013 performer line-up now running throughSunday, December 15, 2013 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). Tickets are $30 per show (unless otherwise noted).Tickets may be purchased on www.smarttix.com or 212 868-4444.

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are thrilled to introduce the celebrity guest artists performing the role of SHAMAN in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, video art by Sean Gill and directed and choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days' Rachel Klein. In the final scene each night, the SHAMAN with sing a gothed out orchestral version of Nick Cave's 'There is a Kingdom.'

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are thrilled to introduce the celebrity guest artists performing the role of SHAMAN in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, video art by Sean Gill and directed and choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days' Rachel Klein. In the final scene each night, the SHAMAN with sing a gothed out orchestral version of Nick Cave's 'There is a Kingdom.'

RAGING SQUID INK & ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are pleased to announce the world premiere production of Jake Thomas' THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, which will play a limited engagement, from September 18 - October 13, at La Luz (135 Thames Street, Brooklyn, NY). Previews are Wednesday, September 18 & Thursday, September 19, opening on Friday, September 20. THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE features direction & choreography by Around the World in 80 Days' RACHEL KLEIN & video art direction by Sean Gill. Ben Kato is the lighting designer, with scenic design by Evan Collier, costume design by Juanita Cardenas & the RKP Ensemble Costume Collection, puppet design by Elena Delgado & original music by Sean Hagerty.

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are thrilled to celebrate Friday the 13th by introducing the terrifyingly awesome celebrity guest artists performing the role of SHAMAN in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE In an abandoned theater on the outskirts of town, an experiment is being conducted-one which extracts dreams! This crazed horror anthology incorporates song, dance, puppetry, aerial, magic and more to create an out of body theatrical experience. THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE will play a limited engagement at La Luz (135 Thames Street, Brooklyn, NY). Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show!

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER will welcome Randy Jones, actor, author, American Music Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist, the original Cowboy and founding member of Village People, as the special guest star (aka SHAMAN) in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein, on Opening NIght, Saturday, September 21st. Jones joins a line-up which includes Michael Musto and Mx Justin Vivian Bond among others. In the final scene each night, the SHAMAN with sing a gothed out orchestral version of Nick Cave's 'There is a Kingdom.'

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are thrilled to celebrate Friday the 13th by introducing the terrifyingly awesome celebrity guest artists performing the role of SHAMAN in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, video art by Sean Gill and directed and choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days' Rachel Klein, who has been called 'clever' by the New York Post, 'inventive' by Theatermania, and 'a new generation's Julie Taymor' by Woman Around Town. In the final scene each night, the SHAMAN with sing a gothed out orchestral version of Nick Cave's 'There is a Kingdom.'

Raging Squid Ink and Eric Schmalenberger have announced the Raging Squid Ink and Eric Schmalenberger have announced the world premiere production of Jake Thomas' THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, video art directed by Sean Gill and directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein. THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE will play a limited engagement at La Luz (135 Thames Street, Brooklyn, NY). Performances begin tonight, September 18 and continue through Saturday, October 13. Opening Night is Friday, September 20 (8 p.m.). Press are invited tonight, September 18 at 8 p.m., Thursday, September 19 at 8 p.m. and Friday, September 20 at 8 p.m. (and any subsequent performance).

Producer Cedric Yau has announced that James Seol will step into the 17 roles originated by Jimmy Ray Bennett in Around the World in 80 Days, beginning Tuesday, September 17th. Bennett's last performance will be Sunday, September 15th­ at 7pm. Guy LeMonnier heads the cast as the phlegmatic Phileas Fogg, with Shirine Babb, Matt Lutz, and Gary Littman rounding out the ensemble cast. Rachel Klein directs.

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are thrilled to celebrate Friday the 13th by introducing the terrifyingly awesome celebrity guest artists performing the role of SHAMAN in Jake Thomas' horror experience THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, video art by Sean Gill and directed and choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days' Rachel Klein, who has been called 'clever' by the New York Post, 'inventive' by Theatermania, and 'a new generation's Julie Taymor' by Woman Around Town. In the final scene each night, the SHAMAN with sing a gothed out orchestral version of Nick Cave's 'There is a Kingdom.'

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS continues off-Broadway, with Gary Littman & Matt Lutz having just stepped into the roles of Passepartout & Detective Fix, respectively, and Guy Lemonnier heading the cast as the phlegmatic Phileas Fogg, with Shirine Babb and Jimmy Ray Bennett rounding out the ensemble. Rachel Klein directs. Below, watch a fun, behind-the-scenes featurette showing the full transformation of The New Theater for Around the World in 80 Days!