LADY LIBERTY SINGS THE BLUES IN NEW MUSICAL REVUE "IF THIS AIN'T IT!"
Performances begin January 7 at Theater for the New City
IF THIS AIN'T IT! -- a musical revue by Don Arrington that reflects on living, loving, and getting by in New York City during these hard times -- will be presented Off-Broadway by Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue at 10 St., with previews beginning January 7, 2010, prior to an official press opening on January 9.
IF THIS AIN'T IT! is a satire that brings to life the whirlwind events that envelop a theater company when it loses its funding and its home. The colorful characters in the troupe join forces with a homeless transsexual, Lady Liberty, a savvy person of the streets who helps them round up an audience for their performances in a bid for publicity and a new home for their work. Will the despair of loss become the joy of salvation? The musical ponders: IF THIS AIN'T IT! - what is?
IF THIS AIN'T IT! is written and directed by Don Arrington, whose credits include work at La MaMa ETC, Theater for the New City, and the WPA as creator of ALLEGROS!, WITHOUT APPARENT MOTIVE, ON THE BLOCK, DADDY'S GIRL (The Duplex) and BAR '98, as well as his contributions to numerous theater and cabaret events since the early 70s. He is a recipient of the Fletcher Scholar Award, presented to him by Robert F. Kennedy, a Meet the Composer Grant and a Jerome Fellowship. As a performer he was one of the original members of The ETC Company of La MaMa under the direction of Wilford Leach, and he originated many roles for John Vaccaro's Playhouse of the Ridiculous.
The cast of IF THIS AIN'T IT! features the beloved staple of the downtown drag scene, Michael Lynch, in the role of Lady Liberty. Also in the cast: Ellen Scarsella, Andy Weiss, Erik Stevens, Luisa Bradshaw, Lauren Lindsey, Bradley Wantz, Alena Acker, Kyle T. Cheng, Alissa Stahler, Christian Harmon, Mr. Arrington and Camille Tibaldeo in the role of Selma Russo, a cross-addicted New York cable TV personality. Ms. Tibaldeo, a longtime collaborator of Mr. Arrington and member of the ETC Company of LaMaMa, is an accomplished jazz and blues vocalist seen most recently at La MaMa as Rosemary Clooney in I WANNA BE ROSIE.
The musical ensemble for THIS AIN'T IT! will be led by Rick Cutler, percussionist for the late Gregory Hines, and currently touring with Liza Minnelli.
Performance dates at Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets, will be January 7-24, 2010: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8PM with matinees Sundays at 3PM. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 212 254 1109 or online at www.theaterforthenewcity.net.
