Katrina Rose, Diana DeGarmo, Philip Hoffman, and Ace Young Will Star In Reading Of ROCK AND ROLL REFUGEE
Royal Family Productions will present a special invite-only reading of the musical Rock and Roll Refugee. Written by Chris Henry and Genya Ravan, directed by Joann Hunter with musical direction by Daniel A. Weiss, the readings will take place March 14-16 at Royal Family Performing Art Space (145 West 46th street). For more information please email jessica@royalfamilyproductions.org.
Based on the life and music of holocaust survivor Genya Ravan (who the New York Daily News states paved the path for strong female musicians to come like Madonna and Lady Gaga ), Rock and Roll Refugee is the incredible true story of Ravan's meteoric rise as one of the first female pioneers of rock and roll. Before leading Goldie and The Gingerbreads - the first successful all-female rock band in 1962 - Genya Ravan was known as Genyusha Zelkovicz, a young girl who fled Nazi-occupied Poland with her family in search of a hopeful start in America. After passing through Ellis Island and moving to the Lower East Side of New York City, Genyusha - now "Goldie" - faced grief, poverty, abuse and loss of identity. With no one to turn to, she forged her own path, and changed history.
Royal Family Productions presented an abbreviated version of Rock and Roll Refugee in 2016. During that run The New York Times called it an invigorating coming-of-age bio-musical with powerhouse production numbers. They went on to say Rock and Roll Refugee is only part-way to its destination. I'm eager to see where it arrives.
The reading cast features: Katrina Rose (NBC's The Voice, NYC: RENT, A Night With Janis Joplin), Diana DeGarmo (American Idol, BROADWAY: Godspell, Hairspray), Charlotte Cohn (BROADWAY: Boheme, Coram Boy), Philip Hoffman (BROADWAY: Our Mother's Brief Affair, Cabaret, On A Clear Day , A Catered Affair, Fiddler On The Roof), Jesse Swimm (BROADWAY: School of Rock, Mary Poppins), Charles Wallace (BROADWAY: Amazing Grace) and Ace Young (American Idol, BROADWAY: Grease, Hair), with Carol Angeli (BROADWAY: Miss Saigon, TOUR: Mary Poppins), Gina Naomi Baez (NETFLIX: She's Gotta Have It Too , FILM: "Triple Threat", REGIONAL: Hunchback Of Notre Dame), English Bernhardt (TOUR: If/Then), and Mariela Flor Olivo (NY POPS Song and Dance).
For more information please visit www.royalfamilyproductions.org
