Wildcat Benefit to Feature Restored Song; Luba Mason and Robert Cuccioli Star | Playbill

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News Wildcat Benefit to Feature Restored Song; Luba Mason and Robert Cuccioli Star The upcoming Theatrical Gems production of the musical Wildcat, which will be presented Dec. 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund, will feature the wistful ballad "That's What I Want (For Janie)," which was cut from the original production after opening night to ease the vocal demands for star Lucille Ball.

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Robert Cuccioli Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Jacob Shoesmith Fox, who will direct the upcoming benefit, states, "I am so excited that the authors' estates have given us special permission to perform 'That’s What I Want (For Janie).' This song adds so much heart to the character of Wildy and presents a side of her that is not seen in the rest of the show."

Wildcat, with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and book by N. Richard Nash, tells the story of "a frontier woman named Wildcat Jackson who arrives in a border town in the American southwest with dreams of striking oil and tricks foreman Joe Dynamite into helping her," according to press notes.

The 7 PM benefit at The Julia Miles Theatre at the Women’s Project, 424 West 55th Street, will feature musical direction by Steven H. Taylor and a cast led by Luba Mason (Chicago, Jekyll and Hyde) as Wildcat “Wildy” Jackson, Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll and Hyde) as Joe Dynamite, Beth Fowler (The Boy From Oz, Beauty and the Beast) as Countess Emily O’Brien, Lenny Wolpe (Wicked, The Drowsy Chaperone) as the local hermit Sookie, Jenn Gambatese (All Shook Up, Tarzan) as Wildcat’s sister Janie, and newcomer Junior Mendez (CBS’s "My Broadway Debut") as Joe’s young sidekick Hank.

The company will also include Vincent D’Elia (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Grease), Lawrence E. Street (Urinetown), Pierce Cravens (Ragtime, A Christmas Carol), Kenneth Kasch, Tony Castellanos, Gregory Couba, Michal Salonia, Spencer Andrew Taylor, and Michael Puglia. The ensemble comprises Lital Abrahams, Andrea Andert, Kiarri D. Andrews, Jaime Lyn Beatty, Christopher DeRosa, Jonathan Juarbe, James LaRosa, Nolan Muña, Alison Rose Munn, Tara Novie, Erin O’Neil, Tony Ramos, Jillian Schochet, and Bradley Vile.

Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by emailing [email protected]. Tickets will be purchased at the door. Proceeds benefit the Actors Fund.

 
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