THE BLACK CROOK
Written by Charles M. Barras
Adapted and Directed by Joshua William Gelb
New Music Arrangements and Compositions by Alaina Ferris and Justin Levine
Kate Weber (left), Alaina Ferris (middle), Steven Ratazzi (right). Photo by Kelly Stuart.
"...A sort of redemptive love letter to theater history, faithful in a minimalist way to the promise of their subtitle: “An Original Magical and Spectacular Musical Drama.” With live music (played mainly by members of the eight-person cast) that is often arrestingly lovely, it is fluent in the stage language of then and now. "
-The New York Times
A year after the Civil War ended, on September 12, 1866, The Black Crook opened at Niblo’s Garden on Broadway and Prince Street in New York City. The show featured a melodrama about a painter who sells his soul to a Sorcerer and mashed together dance numbers by a Parisian ballet troupe set to popular music. It ran a whopping five hours, boasting 100 performers and was the beginning of Broadway as we know it.
In September 2016, The Black Crook returnd to its downtown roots to celebrate its 150th anniversary at Abrons Arts Center, marking the rumored birth of the American Musical. With new tex and new songs, a team of only eight actor / musician / dancers will perform the full 1866 musical and bring the biggest of all American spectacles into the tiniest of spaces. From Broadway to East Broadway, 150 years later, The Black Crook returns!
PERFORMANCES
Abrons Arts Center
September 17th-October 7th, 2016
CREDITS
Writer: Charles M. Barras
Director: Joshua William Gelb
Arrangements and Additional Compositions: Alaina Ferris and Justin Levine
Featuring: Randy Blair, Alaina Ferris, Lizzie Hagstedt, Steven Rattazzi, Jessie Shelton, Christopher Tocco, Kate Weber, and Merlin Whitehawk
Music Director: Alaina Ferris
Artistic Producer: Moe Yousuf
Choreographer: Katie Rose McLaughlin
Costume Designer: Normandy Sherwood
Lighting Designer: Bradley King
Scenic Designer: Carolyn Mraz
Sound Designer: Matt Stine
Stage Manager: Elena Chapman
Technical Director / Production Manager: Aaron Minerbrook
Assistant Director / Associate Stage Manager: Sam Silbiger
Dramaturgy & Additional text: Dan O’Neill
Photos by Kelly Stuart
PRESS
New York Times
Critic's Pick
September 27th, 2016
Village Voice
Critic's Pick
September 21st, 2016
New Yorker
Goings On About Town
Stage Buddy
September, 22nd, 2016
Culture Catch
September, 26th, 2016
