1969 Recording of THE SHAGGS Gets Reissued

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) have announced that in connection with their co-production of the musical THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, the original 1969 recording "Philosophy of the World" by The Shaggs has been remastered and reissued on CD. 

The private-label recording is now being sold exclusively through the production in three ways: at performances of the musical at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street), online at www.TicketCentral.com and by calling (212) 564-1235 x3152. CDs are $16 each. In addition to the original liner notes from 1969, the booklet also features new liner notes written by Joy Gregory, book writer and co-lyricist for the musical.

Formed in 1968, the all-female rock group The Shaggs was composed of sisters Dorothy "Dot" Wiggin (vocals/lead guitar), Betty Wiggin (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Helen Wiggin (drums). Produced by Austin Wiggin, Jr. and The Shaggs, "Philosophy of the World" was originally recorded on March 9, 1969 at Fleetwood Studios in Revere, MA.

Originally released in 1969 on the small label Third World Records, "Philosophy of the World" was the only recording by the rock trio. Following an extremely limited release and only local performances centered around their New Hampshire hometown, the group disbanded in 1975 upon the death of their manager/father. The LP was reissued by Rounder Records in 1980, prompting Rolling Stone to proclaim the group "Comeback of the Year" and one reviewer to call it "the most stunningly awful wonderful record I've ever heard." Legendary rock critic Lester Bangs declared the record a "landmark in rock n' roll history" in The Village Voice. In 1996, Rolling Stone's Alt-Rock-A-Rama named the album among the "100 Most Influential Alternative Releases of All Time." Kurt Cobain loudly championed The Shaggs, cementing their reputation among indie artists as godmothers of the DIY movement. The LP was originally issued on CD by RCA Victor in 1999 and has been out of print until now.

THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD is a new musical based on the true story of the group. It features a book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. Directed by Mr. Langs, the co-production by the two non-profit theaters, Playwrights Horizons and New York Theatre Workshop, has an official Opening Night set for Tuesday, June 7. The limited engagement will play through Sunday, July 3 at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theatre (416 West 42nd Street).

Set in Fremont, New Hampshire in the late ‘60s, THE SHAGGS is based on the true story of a working class dad (Tony Award nominee and Obie Award winner Peter Friedman) who has a vision of rock n' roll destiny for his three talentless daughters (Jamey Hood, Sarah Sokolovic and Emily Walton), convinced they're his family's one-way ticket out of hardship and obscurity. But the girls have ideas of their own - and as their father's ambition turns to obsession, the price of familial obligation becomes all too clear.

The cast of THE SHAGGS also features Kevin Cahoon, Annie Golden, Steve Routman and Cory Michael Smith. The production features choreography by Ken Roht, scenic design by Mimi Lien, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Geoff Korf and sound design by Darron L West. Orchestrations and vocal arrangements are by Gunnar Madsen and musical direction is by Aaron Gandy.

The live band for THE SHAGGS features Mr. Gandy (music direction/keyboards), Wilco guitarist Leroy Bach (guitar), David Byrne drummer David Hilliard (drums) and Mark Vanderpoel (bass).

With THE SHAGGS, Playwrights Horizons and New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) continue their commitment to developing unique and ground-breaking new musicals. At Playwrights Horizons, these include Grey Gardens, James Joyce's The Dead, Floyd Collins, Assassins, Once on This Island and Sunday in the Park with George, and at NYTW these include Rent; The Seven; Bright Lights, Big City; and Songs From an Unmade Bed.

The performance schedule for THE SHAGGS is Tuesdays at 7PM, Wednesdays through Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2:30 PM & 8PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM. Single tickets, $75, may be purchased online via TicketCentral.com, by phone at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily), or in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, 416 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues). There will be an added performance on Monday, June 6 at 8PM.

Playwrights Horizons' season productions are generously supported by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The set and costume design of THE SHAGGS is generously supported by the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund. Playwrights Horizons is supported in part by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. In addition, Playwrights Horizons receives major support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Time Warner Inc., the Charina Endowment Fund and the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation.

New York Theatre Workshop receives public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Lead support for NYTW productions is provided by the Fund for the City of New York/Open Society Foundations, the Ford Foundation, the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation and The Shubert Foundation.

 

 

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