Rebecca Reading Features Ashmanskas, Huffman, Kudisch, Peil and More

By Andrew Gans
November 3, 2008

A by-invitation-only reading of the new musical Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is being presented in Manhattan Nov. 3.

The reading of the musical, which is based on the novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin and the 1938 film of the same name, features the talents of Jill Abramovitz, Brooks Ashmanskas, Wendi Bergamani, Brigid Brady, Alexandra Berro, Stephen Bienske, Nicole Bocchi, Brianna Gentilella, Adam Heller, Cady Huffman, Marc Kudisch, Dick Latessa, Gabby Malek, Alli Mauzey, Katie Micha, Catherine Missal, Mary Beth Peil, Seth Rudetsky, Asa Somers and Nikayla Tucker. East of Doheny produces.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm features music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead and a book by Daniel Goldfarb. Christopher Gattelli directs and choreographs.

"Life is tough for Rebecca Winstead," according to press notes. "She's lost both her parents, and she is being raised by her no-good stepfather and then by her puritanical and cranky aunt. And if that's not tough enough for a little girl, it's the middle of the depression! But you'd never know it to look at Rebecca. Rebecca's sweet voice and the radio bring Rebecca closer to her mother. Her can-do spirit is infectious and her talent immense. When Rebecca sings, America listens. You see, Rebecca is one very self-reliant ten-year-old. With a potent combination of charm, street smarts, gumption, a sense of humor and one glorious voice, Rebecca turns her life around as she triumphs on the radio as a most unlikely 'Lucky Little Radio Girl.'"