Newsical - the Ever Changing New Topical Musical Comedy - Special BroadwayWorld Discount!

Fred M. Caruso is proud to present Rick Crom's pop-media satirizing Newsical directed by Donnie Drake opening at Upstairs at Studio 54 (located at 254 West 54th Street - harking back to the day when topical revues were as commonplace as the celebrity sightings). Previews begin Friday, September 10th, with the Opening set for Thursday, October 7th.

Performances are Mondays and Wednesdays – Saturdays at 8 PM, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. This is an open-ended run.

Tickets range from $20 - $60 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 212.307.4100 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please visit www.newsicalthemusical.com.

Newsical is a throwback to the kind of political satire on stage that was once as prevalent as it is in film and television now. Created at a breakneck pace to keep up with the day's news cycle, Newsical spoofs both current events (Martha Stewart, Michael Moore, George W.) as well as perennial media targets (Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, and, well, George W.) in a riotous musical send-up that is updated with new songs every week. Within several months it could likely be an entirely new show (depending on how active our celebrities and politicians have been in making asses of themselves)!

Newsical was created by veteran musical satirist and comedian Rick Crom (Composer and Lyricist). Rick has created many Off-Broadway and cabaret revues including Oh Fine RSVP, The Subject Was Neurosis, Absolutely Rude, Our Life and Times (1999 MAC & Bistro Awards for Outstanding Musical Revue) and What in the World (2003 Nightlife Award). His topical material is also featured at the Crystal Palace Theatre in Aspen.

Director/ Choreographer Donna Drake was in the original company of A Chorus Line and has many Broadway credits as a singer/dancer. As a director she directed Romance in the Dark, the Broadway Concert starring Jennifer Holiday, Boobs the Musical, Christmas with the Crawfords, et al.

The rest of the artistic team includes Ed Goldschneider (musical director – also Musical Director of Urinetown), David Kaley (costumes), Jason Hayes (Wigs and Make-Up) and Michael Flink (Sound/ Light Design) and Peter P. Allburn (scenic design).

The cast so far includes: Kim Cea (2003 MAC Award winner for Best Female Stand-Up Comedy, Emmy Award for the "News in Revue" on PBS, and Smokey Joe's Café on Broadway), Jeff Skowron (Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and High Society on Broadway, Debbie Does Dallas Off-Broadway), Stephanie Kurtzuba (The Boy From Oz on Broadway, The Joys of Sex and Bat Boy Off-Broadway) and Todd Alan Johnson (Aida on Broadway).