The Blank Theatre Company Revives Its 1994 Production of THE CRADLE WILL ROCK

Casting is complete and rehearsals have begun for The Blank Theatre Company's third production of its 20th anniversary season, Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock. Directed by The Blank's Founding Artistic Director Daniel Henning, and featuring musical direction by David O, Cradle will begin preview performances on Saturday, February 5, 2011 and is set to open one week later on Saturday, February 12 at 8pm. The engagement will run through Sunday, March 20.

Along with stage, television, and recording star Rex Smith (playing the role of Larry Foreman), the cast, in alphabetical order, is Tiffany Adams, Will Barker, Gigi Bermingham, Christopher Carroll, Rob Roy Cesar, Matthew Patrick Davis, Mikey Hawley, Jim Holdridge, Jack Laufer, Roland Rusinek, Meagan Smith, Lowe Taylor, David Trice, Peter Van Norden, Matt Wolpe, Adam Wylie, and Penelope Yates.

In The Cradle Will Rock, corporations and churches use their influence to shape laws to their favor, unemployment hits new heights, and millions of Americans are losing their homes. Sound like the new millennium? In 1937, Mark Blitzstein's musical called these issues into question with his scathing satire of greed, corruption and politics in the U.S.A. So scandalous, in fact, was The Cradle Will Rock that the U.S. Government tried to shut it down. But Blitzstein's humor, music and agitprop parody ruled the day and the public got to hear this terrific, fun, jazzy score. Snappy tunes, wonderful characters and deep questions about our nation will take you on a roller-coaster ride through the American patriotic psyche.

The Blank Theatre Company first presented The Cradle Will Rock in 1994, directed by Henning, and the production received two Ovation Award nominations (Musical in an Intimate Theatre, Director of a Musical), three Drama-Logue Awards (including Production and Director), and the L.A. Weekly Award for Musical of the Year. Philip Brandes of the Los Angeles Times said, "Sophisticated, witty ... Henning's insightful staging and the inspired performances showcase the enduring brilliance of this under-appreciated watershed musical." And in the L.A. Weekly, Martin Hernandez wrote, "Blitzstein's fervent, catchy score and earthy humor complement the piece's revolutionary politics." A complete recording ofthe score was released by The Blank in 1995; that recording will be re-released in celebration of this new production and The Blank's 20th Anniversary.

Preview performances of The Cradle Will Rock are Saturday, February 5 at 8pm, Sunday, February 6 at 2pm, and Tuesday, February 8 - Friday, February 11 at 8pm. Opening night is set for Saturday, February 12 at 8:00. The regular performance schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through March 20. All preview seats are $30; regular performance prices are $30 on Thursday and Sunday, $34.99 on Friday and Saturday. Tickets may be purchased by calling (323) 661-9827 or online at www.TheBlank.com. For group sales, call (323) 871-8018.

The Stella Adler Theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Boulevard (2nd Floor), in Hollywood. Validated parking ($2) is available at the Hollywood and Highland complex.

 

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