Champlin, Grové, Etc. Set for Ludlow Ladd Benefit Concert

Donna Lynne Champlin and Jessica Grové will be among the stars of Ludlow Ladd, which will be presented at the TADA! Theatre (15 West 28th Street, 2nd Floor) as a staged benefit concert on Sunday, December 10th and Monday, December 11th.  The show is a prequel to the Off-Broadway hit Charlotte Sweet.

In addition to Champlin (Sweeney Todd, Hollywood Arms) and Grové (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Miserables), the concert will star Barbara Rosenblat (The Secret Garden), Ben Rauch (Emerald Man at NYMF) and Eric Michael Gillett (The Frogs).

The event will be produced by Sharell Productions (Sandi Durell, producer "Timeless Divas!," "Broadway: The Golden Age," producing partner of Shout!; and Shari Upbin, producer/director "Timeless Divas!", producer One Mo' Time).  "Sara Louise Lazarus will direct a cast including some of Broadway's top talents," according to press materials. There will be 3 performances, slated for 4:00 PM and 7 PM on Sunday, and 7 PM on Monday. 

Ludlow Ladd features a libretto by Michael Colby and music by Gerald Jay Markoe (both Drama Desk Award nominees for Charlotte Sweet).  "This is a comic Christmas musical—about a homeless orphan—described as a 'fractured fairytale reminiscent of  Charles Dickens.'"

The staged concert will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Previously, Ludlow Ladd has been a success in regional and radio (WBAI-FM) productions.  The concert will mark the premiere of an expanded version with several new songs.

Charlotte Sweet played the Westside Arts Theatre in 1982.  It starred Merle Louise and Polly Pen, among others.

Tickets for Ludlow Ladd will be $30 (tax deductible).   Call (212) 615-6966.  Visit www.pedaids.org for more on the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.