PAGEANT Cast Album Gets Released Today; Launch Concert Tonight at 54 Below

The first ever cast recording of the critically-acclaimed musical PAGEANT will be released today, June 22, 2015, digitally and on compact disc via select outlets. The cast of the recent revival - nominated for a 2015 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Musical and a 2015 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical Revival - will reunite to launch the Original Cast Recording at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) tonight, June 22, 2015, at 9:30pm.

Hosted by co-author Bill Russell (Side Show), the launch party will feature highlights from the album, including the opening number "Natural Born Females," the evening gown competition "Something Extra," and several of the contestants' talents. It will star Drama Desk nominee John Bolton (A Christmas Story) as genial host Frankie Cavalier, and the contestants vying for Miss Glamouresse: Nick Cearley as Miss Great Plains, Nic Cory as Miss Industrial Northeast, Alex Ringler as Miss Texas, Marty Thomas as Miss Deep South, Seth Tucker as Miss West Coast, and Curtis Wiley as Miss Bible Belt. Swings Luke McCollum and Fred Odgaard will also be participating in the concert. Micah Young will serve as Musical Director. Members of the cast and creative team will be on hand afterwards to autograph CDs.

There is a $30-$40 cover charge and $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.

PAGEANT has book and lyrics by Bill Russell & Frank Kelly, with music by Albert Evans and a concept by Robert Longbottom. Following a sold-out benefit run for BC/EFA, PAGEANT returned in a limited Off-Broadway engagement that began June 29, 2014, at The Davenport Theatre (354 West 45th Street), and after three extensions, played its final performance on October 26, 2014. The revival was directed by Matt Lenz and choreographed by Shea Sullivan. The creative team also included scenic design by Paul Tate De Poo III, costumes by Stephen Yearick, lighting by Paul Miller & Kirk Fitzgerald, and sound design by David Sanderson. PAGEANT was produced by SAS Productions, Kitty Potapow, Michelle R. Rogers, Drew Desky, and ABS Productions.

Like every beauty pageant you've seen before, PAGEANT features contestants desperately vying for a glittering tiara. With swimsuit, talent, and evening gown competitions - the show includes both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! Unlike some beauty pageants you've seen before, the female contestants are all played by men. And the audience gets to select the winner each night. Filled with excitement and suspense, but first and foremost, beauty. Let the beauty begin!

PAGEANT debuted Off-Broadway in 1991 at the Blue Angel in New York where it ran for more than a year before playing successful engagements on the West End and around the world. Prior to the 2014 Off-Broadway revival, PAGEANT was seen earlier that year in a sold-out five-show special engagement that benefitted Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS at the Red Lacquer Club, which was the first time it had returned to the New York stage in more than twenty years.