Rags The Musical to make its London premiere at the Park Theatre
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Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels
From Manchester to riches! It has just been confirmed that the highly-acclaimed, revised version of Rags The Musical is set to open at the Park Theatre in London this January following a sell-out run at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Musical theatre tickets for Rags are on sale now from £23.
Pictured: Rebecca Trehearn as Rebecca in Rags at the Hope Mill. The musical finally heads to London after all these years and following a hit run in Manchester. Photo credit: Nathan Chandler
Rags The Musical to transfer to London's Park Theatre
It has been announced that the spectacular Hope Mill Theatre production of Rags that took Manchester audiences by storm is set to open on 9 January 2020 at London's Park Theatre, where it is booking until 8 February 2020.
Rags The Musical synopsis
Set in the 20th century during the great immigration boom, Rags follows the story of Rebecca, a young Russian-Jewish mother who journeys to America with her son in search of a new life. After her initial processing at Ellis Island, she slaves away at a New York sweatshop while she desperately searches for her husband who arrived to The States before her to set up their life. When she finally reunites with Nathan, Rebecca finds herself at odds with his newfound rejection of their ethnic culture. Struggling to assimilate into society, she becomes conflicted with the decision of whether she should stay true to her heritage or adopt a new American identity in her pursuit of happiness and the American Dream.
Rags musical creative team & cast
The musical features a book written by Fiddler On The Roof writer Joseph Stein, music by Annie's Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Wicked's Stephen Schwartz. Rags received its world premiere in 1986 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Broadway and was later nominated for five Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards, taking home the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for Teresa Stratas' performance in the lead role of Rebecca Hershkowitz.
The Manchester revival of Rags opened back in March 2019 at the Hope Mill. The show is directed by Bronagh Lagan and features set and costume design from Gregor Donnelly, sound design by James Nicholson, orchestrations by Nick Barstow, musical direction by Joe Bunker, choreography by Philip Michael Thomas, lighting design by Derek Anderson, and casting direction by Jane Deitch.
The original 1986 Broadway cast of Rags starred Dick Latessa as Avram Cohen, Judy Kuhn as Bella Cohen, Larry Kert as Nathan Hershkowitz, Lonny Price as Ben, Marcia Lewis as Rachel Halpern, Teresa Stratas as Rebecca Hershkowitz, and Terrence Mann as the trade union organiser Saul.
Casting for the long-awaited London premiere of Rags will be announced in due course.
Rags The Musical tickets on sale now for the London Park Theatre run!
Don't miss the highly anticipated Off-West End premiere of Joseph Stein's Rags, which finally opens in London at the Park Theatre more than 33 years after it first premiered on Broadway! The gripping story about hope, loss, identity, and optimism will have you on the edge of your seat while the show's catchy numbers, including "Bread and Freedom", "Brand New World", and "Nothing Will Hurt Us", are guaranteed to move you and touch you to your core. Rags tickets are now on sale at affordable prices, but given the show's strictly limited run, you'll want to book your seats now for this American classic to secure your spot at the Park Theatre whilst stocks last!