Historic Presidential Inaugural Inspires MusicalFare Theatre To Premiere 'American Rhapsody' - Gershwin Style

Historic Presidential Inaugural Inspires MusicalFare Theatre To Premiere 'American Rhapsody' - Gershwin Style

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- To pay tribute to the melting pot ideal in the music of George Gershwin and the seminal spirit of the 2008 presidential election, MusicalFare Theatre, an award-winning musical theater company based in Buffalo, N.Y., has premiered "American Rhapsody."

The Buffalo News hailed the production, on stage through Feb. 8, as "a gushing love letter to George Gershwin with a gigantic CC to Barack Obama" and declared it "masterfully conceived."

So inspired by the events of the recent election, director and author Randall Kramer wrote "American Rhapsody" in just four weeks to coincide with the historic inaugural event this month. Opening to standing ovations during its first week (Jan. 7), the premiere production links American music with racial and political progress.

"Rhapsody is defined as an instrumental composition and also an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm," says Kramer. "In 2008, America experienced a watershed moment in its history and we decided that "Rhapsody in Blue" would perfectly describe that moment. Gershwin's music embraces a multitude of cultural influences. Blues, ragtime, jazz and popular song are all part of his unique compositional style."

Instrumental compositions performed in "American Rhapsody" include Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," "Rialto Rag," "Preludes 1, 2 & 3" as well as Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag." "American Rhapsody" also features songs by Stephen Foster, Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, W. C. Handy and Eubie Blake.

Choreography for "American Rhapsody" is by Jon Lehrer, founder and artistic director of the nationally acclaimed Lehrer Dance Company. Lehrer was previously the resident choreographer and associate director for the world-renowned jazz dance company Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Period choreography is by John Fredo, who has been mentored by Mercedes Ellington, Maurice Hines and Judith Jamison.

Since 1990, MusicalFare has produced a number of musicals celebrating American music and spirit. These original productions include the world premiere production of "Renewing Wright," an exploration of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural career in Buffalo, "Zooma Zooma," a revue of the boisterous singer Louis Prima, and "A Rainbow Journey", a musical about Buffalo-born songwriter Harold Arlen.

Tickets and more information on the production can be obtained by calling the theater at (716) 839- 8540 or online at www.musicalfare.com.

Source: MusicalFare Theatre

CONTACT: Randall Kramer, MusicalFare Theatre, +1-716-839-8565, or Cheryl
Carr, Carr Marketing Communications, +1-716-831-1500 x304

Web Site: http://www.musicalfare.com/

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