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Rags, the musical

PARK THEATRE, 2020

RAGS, THE MUSICAL IN REHEARSALS, 2020

RAGS, THE MUSICAL IN REHEARSALS, 2019

RAGS, THE MUSICAL, HOPE MILL THEATRE 2019

Jan-Feb 2020- The Park Theatre

March-April 2019 – Hope Mill Theatre
28th April 2014 – Lyric Theatre (Concert Version)

 

An Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre production

 

Book by Joseph Stein
Music by Charles Strouse

Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Revised Book by David Thompson 

Produced in association with Matthew Hopton of Knockhardy Productions.

 

RAGS The Musical tells the heart-warming and powerful tale of a group of Jewish immigrants as they arrive to start a new life in America.

 

Fresh from Ellis Island, a young mother and her son search for a new life and a sense of home as the 20th century beckons. The streets of Manhattan’s Lower East Side may not be paved with gold, but they echo with the music of opportunity, optimism and hope.

 

With a ravishing score by the songwriters of Wicked and Annie and the book-writer of Fiddler on the Roof, this is a sweeping saga of America’s immigrant past.

 

This is a transfer of the UK premiere of this eagerly anticipated new version which premiered at Hope Mill Theatre in February 2019 and is directed by 

Bronagh Lagan (Little Women, Putting It Together, Promises, Promises).

 

RAGS The Musical is a story of love, loss and hope. Featuring a score celebrating the multicultural music which was filling the streets of New York in 1910. It is a saga of both hope and disappointment, of power and greed, of strength and love, combined with memorable music.

 

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Ltd

RAGS, THE MUSICAL, PARK THEATRE 2020

RAGS, THE MUSICAL, HOPE MILL THEATRE 2019

 

CREATIVES

DIRECTOR – Bronagh Lagan

MUSICAL DIRECTOR – Joe Bunker

ORCHESTRATIONS – Nick Barstow

CHOREOGRAPHER – Philip Thomas

SET & COSTUME DESIGNER – Gregor Donnelly

LIGHTING DESIGNER – Derek Anderson

SOUND DESIGNER – James Nicholson

CASTING DIRECTOR – Jane Deitch

CHILDREN’S CASTING – Keston & Keston

PHOTOS - Pamela Raith

GENERAL MANAGEMENT – Chris Matanlé & Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – Knockhardy Productions

PRODUCER – Hope Mill Theatre

PRODUCER – Aria Entertainment


CAST

REBECCA- Carolyn Maitland

AVRAM- Dave Willets

BRONFMAN- Sam Attwater

ANNA- Debbie Chazen

SAL- Alex Gibson

RACHEL- Rachel Izen

DAVID- Samuel Jones & Jude Muir

BELLA- Martha Kirby

BEN-Oisin Nolan

JACK- Jeremy Rose

ENSEMBLE- Arthur Boan

ENSEMBLE- Angela Caesar

AMERICAN- Adam Crossley

ENSEMBLE- Drew Dillon

ENSEMBLE-Matthew Gent

ENSEMBLE- Natasha Karp 

REVIEWS

Under Bronagh Lagan’s nuanced direction, complemented by Philip Michael Thomas’s choreography, the Park’s space accommodates a story at once intimate and huge. Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics with Charles Strouse’s music nail the emotional impact. Rags is a rich, rewarding must-see experience.

By Judi Herman- Jewish renaissance 5stars

★★★★★

 

Director Bronagh Lagan and choreograper Philip Michael Thomas have done a terrific job of bringing the big Broadway feel to a very small space and having the musicians perform on stage works beautifully. -

London living large 

★★★★★

“This American musical brings a welcome and progressive voice to today’s stage. Don’t miss it.”

“...outstanding music and performances.”

London Living Large - Jewish Chronical

★★★★★

“Like an immigrant who has to fight for what they deserve, this troubled show has finally claimed its place in (musical theatre) history.”

Metro - John Nathan

★★★★

“...a heartfelt sincerity and yearning poignancy that swept me away.”

 

‘’Bronagh Lagan's production, has been lovingly staged on an evocative set by Gregor Donnelly, constructed out of banks of old suitcases, to bring out the full power of this gorgeous, life-affirming show.’’

Londontheatre.co.uk - Mark Shenton

★★★★

“Bronagh Lagan’s audacious production accentuates the parallels between attitudes to immigration then and now. 

Evening Standard

★★★★

“Beautifully written and performed…”

 

“...it’s themes of immigration, female liberation and cultural integration are as current as they have ever been.”

Daily Express - Neil Norman

★★★★

“Bronagh Lagan directs with great sensitivity on Gregor Donnelly’s suitcase-strewn set.”

Sunday Express - Michael Arditti

★★★★

“...an aptly timed and brilliantly performed production of a musical that deserves to be better known.”

British Theatre - Danny Coleman-Cooke

★★★★

“Bronagh Lagan's production has heart in spades and provides a real impact through the thoughtful way its themes are tackled.”

Rewrite This Story - Olivia Mitchell

★★★★

This musical is not exactly ragged. Rather it is a patchwork of the good and the ordinary, but Lagan’s vivid, emotionally charged and beautifully sung staging raises it to a higher level.”

The Reviews Hub

★★★★

 

CREATIVES

 

DIRECTOR – Bronagh Lagan

MUSICAL DIRECTOR & ORCHESTRATOR – Nick Barstow

CHOREOGRAPHER – Grant Murphy

SET DESIGNER – Gregor Donnelly

COSTUME DESIGNER – Maggie Harwood

LIGHTING DESIGNER – Derek Anderson

SOUND DESIGNER – James Nicholson

CASTING DIRECTOR – Jane Deitch

CHILDREN’S CASTING – Keston & Keston

PR – Amanda Malpass PR

MARKETING – Dressing Room 5

PHOTOS - Pamela Raith

GENERAL MANAGEMENT – Chris Matanlé 

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – Knockhardy Productions

PRODUCER – Hope Mill Theatre

PRODUCER – Aria Entertainment

CAST

 REBECCA- Rebecca Trehearn

AVRAM- Michael S. Siegel

BRONFMAN- Gavin James

ANNA- Jane Quinn

SAL- Robert Tripolino

RACHEL- Valda Aviks

DAVID- George Varley

DAVID- Lochlan White

BELLA- Lydia White

BEN- Sam Peggs

JACK- Tim Walton

ENSEMBLE- James Dangerfield

ENSEMBLE- Emma Fraser

ENSEMBLE- James Hastings

ENSEMBLE- Hannah Khogali

REVIEWS

 

“..an unforgettable, unique and vibrant treat..” – 

Jewish Telegraph

★★★★★

 

 

 “RAGS is beautifully executed theatre which will sweep you away with its gritty and poignant storytelling.” 

Opening Night

★★★★★

 

 

“It’s another hit from the Manchester-based Hope Mill Theatre and Aria Entertainment, who once again prove their commitment to nurturing musicals and producing first class productions.” 

Ben Hewis

★★★★★

 

 

“ ..a strong cast that give a breathtaking performance both individually and as an ensemble.” 

Sincerely Amy

★★★★★

NOMINATIONS

 

Best Director by Off West End Awards  2020

 

Best Musical Production by Off West End Awards 2020

 

Best Lighting Design in a musical by Off West End Awards 2020

 

Best Set Design in a musical by Off West End Awards 2020

 

Best Musical Direction in a musical by Off West End Awards 2020

 

Lead Performance in a musical by Off West End Awards 2020

 

3x Best Supporting Performance in a Musical by Off West End Awards 2020

 

Rags, in concert 2014

 

Theatrical Event of the Year by Whatsonstage 2014

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