Classic Stage Company has revealed complete casting for its upcoming benefit concert of Rags, featuring a book by Joseph Stein (the upcoming performance will feature a revised book by David Thompson), music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. As previously announced, the Leigh Silverman-directed performance will play the Off-Broadway company’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater September 28 and September 29.
Newly revealed to be joining the cast is Julie Benko (Ragtime) as Rebecca Hershkowitz, the role created on Broadway by Teresa Stratas. As previously announced, the performance will also feature Nicholas Barasch (Pirates! The Penzance Musical) as Ben Levitowitz, Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (The Baker’s Wife, Fun Home) as Rachel Halpern, Jenna Lea Rosen (Suffs) as Bella Cohen, and Tony nominee Steven Skybell (Cabaret) as Avram Cohen. Additional casting, by Alldaffer & Donadio Casting, is to be announced.
As previously announced, the cast will be led by Julie Benko (Ragtime) as Rebecca Hershkowitz, Nicholas Barasch (Pirates! The Penzance Musical) as Ben Levitowitz, Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (The Baker’s Wife, Fun Home) as Rachel Halpern, Jenna Lea Rosen (Suffs) as Bella Cohen, and Tony nominee Steven Skybell (Cabaret) as Avram Cohen.
Newly announced to be joining them are Jill Abramovitz (Beetlejuice) as Anna Blumberg, Reece Boyle (The Sound of Music) as David Hershkowitz, Rodd Cyrus (Ragtime) as Sal Russo, Adam Heller (Some Like It Hot) as Jack Blumberg, and Michael McCorry Rose (The Queen of Versailles) as Max Bronfman, with an ensemble including Erik Altemus (Pippin), Daniel Beeman (Chess), Sara Jean Ford (The Phantom of the Opera), Danyel Fulton (Suffs), Andrew Kober (The Queen of Versailles), Madison Mosley (Beetlejuice), and Matthew Stocke (Titanic). Casting is by Alldaffer & Donadio Casting.
Notably, after originating the role of Bella in the Broadway premiere, Kuhn returns to Rags as Rachel in this concert presentation. Rags follows CSC’s concerts of Fiorello! and The Rink. The evening will feature music direction by Mary Mitchell Campbel.
Rags takes place in the Lower East Side of New York in 1910, a time when America worried it was being overwhelmed by a flood of immigrants. Using the revised version of the 1986 Broadway musical, the show follows the struggles and triumphs of Jewish immigrants striving for the American Dream. After fleeing Russian pogroms, Rebecca and her young son arrive at Ellis Island, entering a world of sweatshops, pushcarts, and the birth of both the American labor movement and American popular song.
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