Casting Set for Philly Premiere of The Immigrant: A New American Musical

Complete casting has been announced for the Philadelphia premiere of Mark Harelik's "The Immigrant: A New American Musical," playing in the Gershman Y Black Box at the University of The Arts September 2nd - 4th, 2011. Jarrod Markman directs the production with Music Direction from Barrymore award winner Eric Ebbenga.

"The Immigrant" is a four-person chamber musical and the biographical story of the author's grandfather, a young Jew who fled the pogroms of Czarist Russia in 1909 and pushed his banana cart into the tiny Baptist community of Hamilton, Texas. Haskell is being played by Aaron Catano (Virtually Me!) alongside local Philadelphia actress, Sarah Spangeberg as Leah, his wife. After arriving in Texas, Haskell and his wife are befriended by a Christian woman and her banker husband, Ima and Milton Perry. The Perry's will be portrayed by Shannon Remley and Matthew Dean Stewart as they help the Haskell's find their way in their new home.

On the surface, this musical does appear to be about coming to America and pursuing the American dream, but upon examination it is truly the story of a long, initially unlikely friendship decorated by love, tension, and ultimately respect.
The heart of this musical comes from the relationship between the two couples and their interactions, miscommunications and prejudices towards one another. Their relationship changes and grows as Haskell and his wife, Leah assimilate into the American culture facing many instances of missteps, misunderstandings and bigotry coupled with great acts of generosity from both sides. Hamilton, Texas and the Galveston movement introduce a story that is not your typicAl Ellis Island immigration legend. It is a narrative illustrating the struggle for personal survival juxtaposed by the fight to preserve religious tradition in a foreign land. Most importantly, it is a chronicle of love, hope and devotion.

The Immigrant: A New American Musical runs from September 2nd - 4th, with performances on Friday at 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 and 8:00 PM Tickets are available by visiting our website at www.ImmigrantPhillyMusical.com