Larry Kirwan's HARD TIMES to Open 1/13 at the cell

Having received critical and popular acclaim last season, Larry Kirwan's Stephen Foster musical 'Hard Times' will return to Off Broadway at the the cell, A Twenty First Century Salon (Founding Artistic Director, Nancy Manocherian), (338 West 23rd Street), opening Monday, January 13th (7PM) --- to commemorate the 150 anniversary of Mr. Foster's death. Directed by Kira Simring, choreographed by Joe Barros and produced by the cell, Hard Times will start preview performances on Thursday, January 9th (8PM).

Set in a saloon in Lower Manhattan's notorious Five Points in 1863, Hard Times combines the story of America's first great songwriter Stephen Foster and a neighborhood under siege and about to explode with ethnic frictions that will determine the destiny of contemporary New York. Through a re-imagining of Stephen Foster's songbook, combined with new music material by Mr. Kirwan, Hard Times explores New York City Civil War tensions with a modern musical and dramatic sensibility.

The Acting Company includes: Jed Peterson as Stephen Foster, Jennifer Lorae as Jane Foster, Almeria Campbell as Nelly Blythe, James Sasser as Michael Jenkins, Stephane Duret as Thomas Jefferson and John Charles McLaughlin as Owen Duignan.

The production features scenic and prop design by Dara Wishingrad; lighting design by Gertjan Houben; Orchestrations by Andrew Smithson; musical direction by Rona Siddiqui; Casting director is Jason Najjoum.

Hard Times will play a limited engagement from January 9 to February 2nd at the cell (338 West 23rd Street New York, NY 10011) with performances on Thurs. thru Sat. at 8 and Sundays at 3. There will be no performance on Sunday, January 19th. Tickets are $18 and will be available online at www.thecelltheatre.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the cell, half an hour prior to performance. Running Time: 120 minutes (with intermission).

Photo by: Steven Simring

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