In recent weeks, the disc has been available via the internet from the Ghostlight Records label at www.ghostlightrecords.com. Echoing their work from the 2004 Off-Broadway run of the show are Jacqueline Antaramian, Walter Charles, Adam Heller and Cass Morgan.
The tale of a Russian-Jewish fruit peddler (Heller) who is part of the so-called Galveston Plan, an immigration program that placed foreigners in Texas rather than teeming New York City, is based on the story of Harelik's grandfather.
In the musical and play, as in life, Haskell is befriended by a banker and his wife (played by Walter Charles and Cass Morgan), and ends up prospering. Antaramian played Haskell's wife, who joins him in Texas.
Playwright Harelik found great success regionally with the non-musical four-actor play of the same name in the last 15 years.
The 2004 all-sung musical — a tiny, prosaic show that has the feel of a folk opera — ended at Dodger Stages in Manhattan Nov. 28. Randal Myler directed, as he did the earlier play. Music director and conductor is Kimberly Grigsby. The 19-track album is produced by Jan Folkson. The recording is accompanied by a color booklet that includes the libretto and lyrics and color photos from the 2004 New York staging.
Produced by HELLO Entertainment, The Immigrant began preview performances on Oct. 19, 2004, and opened Nov. 4. The production played 19 previews and 29 performances by closing time. The production was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Orchestrations – Steven M. Alper).
The Immigrant, the musical, was originally presented by CAP21. Prior to its 2004 Off-Broadway run, the musical was seen in stagings by Denver Center Theatre Company and Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami.
Here's how the creators bill their work: "The Immigrant, based on the play of the same name, is the story of a young Jewish immigrant who fled the pogroms of Czarist Russia in 1909 and pushed his banana cart into the tiny Baptist community of Hamilton, Texas. Given shelter by a childless older couple, he sent for his wife, raised a family, and made this town his home. A true story of parents and children, newcomers and natives, Christians and Jews, and the realization of the American Dream."
The Immigrant is available for licensing via Samuel French.
For more information visit www.theimmigrantmusical.com or call Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200.
