Samonsky replaces original Titanic cast member Clarke Thorell in the role of Jim Farrell; Thorell is unable to perform due to a scheduling conflict. Samonsky also played Bob Wallace in White Christmas at the Denver Theater Center and was seen in the national tour of Disney's On The Record.
Produced by Sarah Melissa Rotker in association with Josh Wellman, the Titanic concert will be held in NYSEC's 800-seat Concert Hall. Matthew Hamel will direct the evening, which will feature musical direction by Jonathan Tessero, who will lead an orchestra of 20 and a cast of 24.
The company will also feature Jeffry Denman, Doug Kreeger, Eamon Foley, Martin Moran, Matthew Scott, Ryan LaTour, Henry Stram, Jennifer Piech, Don Stephenson, Emily Loesser, Bruce Sabath, Alma Cuervo, John Jellison, Tim Jerome, John Hickock, Liz McConahay, Robert Petkoff, Blair Ross, Alison Cimmet, Michael Mulheren, Bailey Hanks, Brian O’Brien, Autumn Hurlbert, Kevin Crewell and Brian Scott Lipton.
Samonsky (as third-class passenger Jim Farrell) will perform the New York debut of "Three Days." Composer Yeston will participate in a pre-show panel with NYSEC Leader Anne Klaeysen. The panel, moderated by associate producer Wellman, will focus on "the creative process for the show, as well as the ethical issues and historical events surrounding the disaster and the great loss of life," according to press notes.
The evening will begin at 6:30 PM with the pre-show talkback followed by the 7:30 PM concert. A VIP reception will follow performance. Producer Rotker stated, "The New York Society for Ethical Culture holds a special place in the social history of New York City, and Titanic is the perfect vehicle to raise money for this important institution. With its issues of class and the human costs of industrialization, I can't think of a more relevant show at this point in our history."
Titanic won 1997 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical (Peter Stone), Best Musical, Best Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick), Best Score (Maury Yeston) and Best Lighting Design (Stewart Laing).
Concert tickets, priced $15-$20, and VIP packages, priced $50-$75, are available by visiting https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/7972095 or by calling (212) 352-3101. All proceeds benefit the New York Society for Ethical Culture in celebration of its 2010 Building Centennial.
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New York Society for Ethical Culture is the "cornerstone of a humanist movement where Ethics is central and dedicated to social justice for all."
