Theatre 80
80 St Marks Pl
212.598.9802
This event has passed.
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- When
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Thursday Sep 2, 2010 (8pm)
Friday Sep 3, 2010 (8pm)
Tuesday Sep 28, 2010 (8pm)
Wednesday Sep 29, 2010 (8pm)
- Where
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- Price
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$20
- Links
“Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock is more discussed than seen. The controversy surrounding the show overshadowed the composer's other work and helped establish its director Orson Welles' reputation as provocateur extraordinaire. Written in 1937 under the auspices of the Federal Theatre Project, the musical's unapologetic pro-union/anti-corporate sentiment freaked out the feds freaked, who closed it down before its premiere. Undeterred, Welles moved cast and audience to an empty theater for an opening night that is the stuff of legend — and an earnest film by Tim Robbins. In the spirit of Cradle's improvised debut, Downtown Music Productions is presenting a staged reading of the musical. It's hard overlooking Cradle's inspiring origins, but this angry musical's message is timely and relevant.”
Patricia Contino, Flavorpill
On a June evening in 1938, director Orson Welles, producer John Houseman, and the cast and crew of Marc Blitzstein's new Broadway musical THE CRADLE WILL ROCK were locked out of their theater on opening night 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. As legend has it, the entire libretto -- performed from the audience by actors forbidden to step onto the stage -- received a 40-minute standing ovation.
- Downtown Music Productions
