ROCKWELL: LIFE ON A PALETTE A New Musical About Norman Rockwell Comes to Pittsfield

Life on a Palette, a new musical based on Norman Rockwell's covers for the Saturday Evening Post, will present excerpts at Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, MA on Monday, June 25 at its annual gala fundraiser. Rockwell features book and lyrics by Eleanor Albano and Anthony Barnao, and music by Ron Abel.

Norman Rockwell's stories transcend color and time. His work is undeniably successful by any measure ... popularity, longevity, commerciality, and mass appeal. Rockwell: Life on a Palette will bring Rockwell's stories into a new arena, musical theatre. From ragtime innocence through the roaring 20s, to the tap dancing 30s, World War II big band and swing, Broadway show tunes, a rousing gospel chorus, and contemporary country, Rockwell has a score that reflects the sounds of the entire 20th century.

Performing excerpts from Rockwell will be (in alphabetical order) Jim Walton as Norman Rockwell (Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard, She Loves Me, and On the Twentieth Century); and (in alphabetical order) English Bernhardt (Broadway's If/Then), Jordan Bondurant (Broadway's A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder and Mamma Mia!), Pamela Myers (Tony Award-nominee for Company on Broadway), Andrea Prestinario (award-winning actress from Chicago and Steppenwolf Theatre graduate), and Lance Roberts (currently appearing in the acclaimed revival of My Fair Lady on Broadway).

Eleanor Albano (book & lyrics) has been a theatre marketing and advertising design consultant for regional and commercial houses in Los Angeles since 1983. Other writing credits include the stage musical It's A Jungle Out There and the TV series The Music Shoppe, and with Dale Gonyea, the animated musical holiday fable Christmas Is for Everyone. Anthony Barnao (book & lyrics) is the founding artistic director of the highly acclaimed Blue Sphere Alliance, a Los Angeles theatre company known for presenting new work. He has directed numerous original plays, including award-winning productions of The Big Voice (which moved off-Broadway), Home Sweet Hell, a hip-hop version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and In the Bargain starring Catherine Keener. Ron Abel (music) is a multi-award-winning composer, producer, and musical director who has composed the scores for Bricktop, Re-Introducing Laurette Bishop, the award-winning Twist of Fate, and most recently Hazel. Abel has worked with Jessye Norman, Taylor Dayne, Lucie Arnaz, Michele Lee, and Valarie Pettiford, among many others.

Knesset Israel is a warm and welcoming egalitarian synagogue serving the entire Berkshire region. Founded in 1893, K.I. is a friendly, caring, dynamic synagogue community committed to participatory prayer, life-long Jewish learning, social action, and sharing the joys and challenges of life. The synagogue facility features a beautiful and spiritually inviting sanctuary and newly renovated chapel, a large social hall for events of all types, a kosher kitchen, a busy, well-stocked library, and offices and classrooms situated on grassy, tree-lined grounds. K.I. is a proud member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Knesset Israel's gala fundraiser will take place on Monday, June 25. The evening will include hors d'oeuvres, a four-course catered dinner, wine, and champagne. Admission to the event is open to the public and tickets are available by phone at (413) 445-4872, ext. 10. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. K.I. is located at 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield, MA, 01201.