CRADLE WILL ROCK at Theatre 80 Opens HOWL! Art Project 9/2

Downtown Music Productions and St. Marks in the Bowery's acclaimed revival of Marc Blitzstein's infamous Depression-era musical THE CRADLE WILL ROCK is set to kick off HOWL! ARTS PROJECT 2010, with performances beginning Thursday, September 2 at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place). Larry Marshall is set to direct, with musical direction by Mimi Stern-Wolfe.

This revival of THE CRADLE WILL ROCK - a timely, controversial musical about greed, corruption and the plight of the worker -- was presented initially last year by Downtown Music Productions, East Village Concert Series and St. Mark's Church in the Bowery, and makes a return engagement to the HOWL! ARTS PROJECT 2010. The production is set to open and close the month-long series of theater, performance art, music, poetry, film, entertainment for and by kids, and much more. Proceeds benefit H.E.L.P. (Howl! Emergency Life Project), an emergency services assistance and health fund for eligible and qualifying East Village artists, administered by The Actors Fund.

Set in "Steeltown, USA," THE CRADLE WILL ROCK tells the story of Larry Foreman whose efforts to start a workers' union could be thwarted by the wealthy businessman Mr. Mister. Along the way, a wide range of societal characters become involved, taking sides in economic warfare that mirrors today's "great recession." Blitzstein's characters include Mr. Mister's wife and their spoiled children; artists who sell out; struggling shopkeepers and blue-collar workers; immigrant
families; a faithless priest; and a charming prostitute named Moll.

THE CRADLE WILL ROCK became a theatrical legend in 1938 when director Orson Welles, producer John Houseman, the cast, and crew were locked out of their Broadway theater by armed servicemen under orders from the Federal government. Without costumes, sets, lights or sound,
Welles and Houseman found an unused theater, rented an upright piano, and marched their audience up Broadway for what has become the most historic theatrical opening ever recorded. Reportedly, the entire libretto -- performed from the audience by actors forbidden to step onto the stage -- received a 40-minute standing ovation.

"The current economic crisis makes it an opportune time to hear this leftist theatre piece," wrote Anthony Tommasini in The New York Times regarding this revival during its initial presentation in February 2009. "THE CRADLE WILL ROCK is a landmark music-theatre work that audiences have heard about but seldom get to see. This bare-bones performance, with a cast of 16 singing on book and being accompanied only by piano, was appropriate to the piece," he added in his review.

Laura Wolfe will portray Moll, with Charles Baran as Larry Foreman and Paul Malamphy as Mr. Mister. The ensemble includes Ryan Cahill, Darcy Dunn, Gavin Esham, Brian Henry, Marcus Moss, Jeannine Otis, Zak Risinger, Tom Savage, Michael Schilke, Greg Senf, Steve Sieck, Mark Singer, and Go Takeuchi.

THE CRADLE WILL ROCK features book, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein. The creative team includes director Larry Marshall, music director Mimi Stern-Wolfe, artistic coordinator Jeannine Otis, and choreographer Laura Stilwell.

Performances of THE CRADLE WILL ROCK run at Theater 80 (80 St. Marks Place) on Thursday, September 2 at 8:00pm; Friday, September 3 at 8:00pm; Tuesday, September 28 at 8:00pm; and Wednesday, September 29 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $20. For reservations, visit www.brownpapertickets.com or call 800-838-3006. Cash only at the door.

For more information, including a complete schedule of event, visit www.howlfestival.com.