Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time at one of the final rehearsals for the musical, "Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade," which opens tonight!
Rehearsal for Mother Jones - Lynne Wintersteller (ctr), Robert Mammana (far right)
"Mother Jones" has received lots of positive pre-opening press - and demand has been strong enough that they have added not one, but two performances. If you like an uplifting show with a strong message, this show could be for you.
Producer Ben Simpson and writer Cheryl E. Kemeny
Writer Cheryl E. Kemeny definitely knows her away around a musical. Co-founder of Crystal Theatre, a non-profit 501C-3 performing arts school since 1987, she is author/co-author/composer of over 30 produced musicals. Kemeny says she started writing musicals out of self-preservation - no one was writing the right roles, the right singing parts for kids.
Lynne Wintersteller and Kevin Reed
"Mother Jones" features four such kids, as well as musical theatre notables Lynne Wintersteller ("Annie") and Robin de Jesus ("In the Heights," "La Cage"). Coincidentally, Lynne played the role of Diane de Poitiers in the show I (Beth Blatt) wrote for NYMF, The Mistress Cycle. Director Michelle Tattenbaum received fabulous press for her direction of "Nobody Loves You," by Gaby Alter and Itamar Moses. Choreographer Clare Cook has her own way-cool dance company.
Lynne Wintersteller and director Michelle Tattenbaum
Lots of other great shows at NYMF as well - check them out!