The concert will take place Sept. 24 at 7 PM at 37 Arts Theatre, 450 West 37th Street.
The cast of performers includes Brendan Milburn, Michael Winther, Valerie Vigoda, Michael Arden, Lea DeLaria, John Gallagher, Jr., J. Robert Spencer, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kevin Cahoon, Anthony Rapp, and Alison Fraser. Jess McLeod will direct, with Brian J. Nash as musical director.
The program will include "Narcolepsy" – Kevin Cahoon, Christian Hebel on violin, "Zak and Sara" – Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin-Vega, "Boxing" – Kevyn Morrow, "The Last Polka" –Brendan Milburn, Val Vigoda, "Fair" – John Gallagher, Jr., Brendan Milburn, Val Vigoda, "Brick" –John Gallagher, Jr., "Philosophy" – Anthony Rapp, "Song for the Dumped" – Manoel Felciano, "Mess" – Daphne Rubin-Vega, "Eddie Walker" – Stephen Bogardus, Alison Fraser, Chip Zien, "Cigarette" – Chip Zien, "Fred Jones Part 2" – Michael Arden, Michael Winther, "Time" – Michael Winther, "Army" – Bobby Spencer, "Evaporated" – Michael Arden, "The Luckiest" – Alison Fraser, "Learn to Live With What You Are" – Liz McCartney.
Ben Folds' offbeat cast of characters have infiltrated concerts and cabarets by performers from Bette Midler to Michael Arden. His biting lyrics and virtuosic melodies have also influenced theatre composers such as Tom Kitt (High Fidelity, Feeling Electric) and Groovelily (Striking 12). Now, in a fusion of pop and musical theater, NYMF will take it o ne step farther with an evening of songs from Ben Folds Five, Whatever And Ever Amen, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner and Songs for Silverman.
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2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival website