"THE CRADLE WILL ROCK" BY MARC BLITZSTEIN
Iconic musical drama from the 1930s kicks off Thirtieth Anniversary Season
for Jean Cocteau Repertory
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Presented by Jean Cocteau Repertory, directed by David Fuller, Artistic Director.
Bouwerie Lane Theatre, 330 Bowery (at Bond Street).
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm (except where noted), Sundays at 3:00 pm, some Wednesdays at 8:00 pm
Admission $30, $24 seniors, $15 students, TDF accepted. Discount ticket packages available (traditional series or flexible pass).
Box office (212) 677-0060.
PERFORMANCE DATES: Aug. 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, September 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, October 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, November 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16.
Jean Cocteau Repertory, founded in 1971, opens its Thirtieth Anniversary Season with "The Cradle Will Rock" by Marc Blitzstein, directed by David Fuller, Artistic Director, August 18 to October 19. The Cocteau is committed to producing plays of classic scope and vision in rotating repertory with a resident company of actors. Its home since 1974 is the Bouwerie Lane Theatre, 330 Bowery.
A landmark of the American Musical Theatre, Blitzstein's powerful "play in music" was both novel and controversial when first performed in 1937. Dedicated to Bertolt Brecht and produced during a period of backlash against Labor's gains in the New Deal, it contended that the American system had become corrupt, with power over many being centralized in the hands of a few industrialists. It was written during a time of industrial turmoil and picket line violence. Its producer, The Federal Theatre Project, had begotten a steady drumbeat of aggressively leftist productions, making the agency (a part of the WPA) vulnerable to redbaiting and retaliation from conservatives in Congress. When 10% budget cuts were (predictably) imposed, an order was issued staying all productions opening between June 10 and July 1, 1937. Whether or not it was aimed at "The Cradle Will Rock," author Blitzstein, director Orson Welles and producer John Houseman were sure that it was. They arranged for a guerilla version of the show to be mounted at the Venice Theater (the Maxine Elliott Theatre, Cradle's intended home, being padlocked). This impromptu performance, with Blitzstein accompanying on a lone rented piano and the actors singing from seats in the audience, made theatrical magic, history and legend. "Cradle" toured incessantly through the country from that point on and became an iconic part of modern American drama. The birth and times of this play were chronicled last year in a Touchstone film by Tim Robbins.
In the piece, Moll, a streetwalker in "Steeltown USA," is arrested and finds herself in Night Court witnessing the arraignment of "The Liberty Committee," a handful of distinguished citizens who are opposed to organizing activities by the Steelworkers Union. In an ironic twist of fate, they have been mistaken for union organizers and arrested. A drunken vagrant, once a prospering pharmacist, explains to Moll how this minister, newspaper editor, doctor, college president, professor and artist have all sold their principles for money and power. The wealth and authority of Mister Mister, a leading industrial boss, has corrupted the city, and the process is also revealed in the committee members' furtive dialogues and strained efforts for release.
Ultimately the chief union organizer, Larry Foreman, is brought into court. An uncompromising and charismatic man, he exemplifies how one person can make a difference and gives hope to the bitter prostitute and druggist. When Steeltown's boss, Mister Mister, arrives at the courthouse to rescue his lackeys, he attempts to buy Foreman's loyalties but is rebuked. At the conclusion, word arrives that other unions have joined with the Steelworkers' struggle. Even the Liberty Committee, sensing the drift of things, abandons its rich patron. Mister Mister, cowardly and alone, realizes that working people have finally developed a backbone and that he has met his match.
Director David Fuller is beginning his second season as Artistic Director of Jean Cocteau Rep. He is the Company's first skipper to be equally adept in directing musicals as plays, having helmed a tuner a year since 1995. These include "The Fantastiks," "The Mikado," "The Pirates of Penzance" and the first New York City revivals of "Hollywood Pinafore" and "Park Avenue." (His success with "Hollywood Pinafore" resulted in its being published for the first time by Dramatists' Play Service.) Last season, he staged the Cocteau's revival of "The Butter and Egg Man" by George S. Kaufman. Fuller points to the current SAG/AFTRA strike as evidence that despite the relative prosperity of our time, union struggles are still close at hand. "We hope it will be self-evident that the concerns of the play are still at issue and an important part of our culture. Industrialists are still acting like gods. The corporate consolidations are mountainous. Artists are still prostituting themselves to rich people."
Musical director is Charles Berigan, who was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award in recognition of his original music for "The Triumph of Love" at Chicago's Court Theatre. Scenic Design is by Mark Fitzgibbons. Lighting Design is by Izzy Einsidler. Costume Design is by Irene V. Hatch. Choreography is by Barbara Brandt. Dramaturg is Liwen Lee. Assistant Director is Brian Williams. The cast includes Craig Smith, Harris Berlinksy, Elise Stone, Jason Crowl, Christopher Black, Angela Madden, Jolie Garrett, Tim Deak, Michael Sarabian, Kyra Himmelbaum, Taylor Bowyer and Jennifer Herzog.
Jean Cocteau Repertory will present "The Cradle Will Rock" August 18 to October 19, in rotating repertory with "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare, directed by Eve Adamson, (October 6 to December 14). The 30th Anniversary season also includes "Night and Day" by Tom Stoppard, directed by Earnest Johns, December 1 to February 22, "The Country Girl" by Clifford Odets, directed by David Fuller, February 9 to April 19, and "The Misanthrope" by Molière, translated (NY premiere) and directed by Rod Lucas, April 6 to May 27. [NYTW]
RELATED ARTICLE: Jean Cocteau Repertory's Thirtieth Anniversary Season
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