Rags – The Musical

RAGS On-Sale Square

2nd March to 6th April 2019 – Hope Mill Theatre
28th April 2014 – Lyric Theatre (Concert Version)

 

An Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre production

Book by Joseph Stein
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Revised Book by David Thompson 

By Arrangement with MTI Europe

Produced in association with Matthew Hopton of Knockhardy Productions.

 

Welcome to the new world!

 

RAGS The Musical tells the heart-warming and powerful tale of a group of Jewish immigrants as they arrive to start a new life in America.

 

Fresh from Ellis Island, a young mother and her son search for a new life and a sense of home as the 20th century beckons. The streets of Manhattan’s Lower East Side may not be paved with gold, but they echo with the music of opportunity, optimism and hope.

 

With a ravishing score by the songwriters of Wicked and Annie and the bookwriter of Fiddler On The Roof, this is a sweeping saga of America’s immigrant past. This is the UK premiere of this eagerly anticipated new version and is directed by Bronagh Lagan (Little Women, Putting it Together, Promises Promises).

 

RAGS The Musical is a story of love, loss and hope. Featuring a score celebrating the multicultural music which was filling the streets of New York in 1910. It is a saga of hope and disappointments, of power and greed, of strength and love, combined with memorable music.

HOPE MILL THEATRE PRODUCTION

CAST

REBECCA -Rebecca Trehearn
RACHEL – Valda Aviks
ENSEMBLE (Violin) – James Dangerfield
ENSEMBLE(Accordian/Clarinet) – Emma Fraser
ENSEMBLE (Clarinet) – James Hastings
BRONFMAN – Gavin James
ENSEMBLE (Violin) – Hanna Khogali
BEN – Sam Peggs
ANNA – Jane Quinn
AVRAM – Michael S. Siegel
SAL – Robert Tripolino
JACK – Tim Walton
BELLA – Lydia White
DAVID – George Varley/Lochlan White

 

CREATIVES

DIRECTOR – Bronagh Lagan
MUSICAL DIRECTOR/ORCHESTRATIONS – Nick Barstow
CHOREOGRAPHER/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Grant Murphy
SET DESIGNER – Gregor Donnelly
COSTUME DESIGNER – Maggie Harwood
LIGHTING DESIGNER – Derek Anderson
SOUND DESIGNER – James Nicholson
CASTING DIRECTOR – Jane Deitch
CHILDREN’S CASTING – Keston & Keston
MARKETING – Dressing Room 5
PR – Amanda Malpass PR
GENERAL MANAGEMENT – Chris Matanlé & Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – Knockhardy Productions
PRODUCER – Hope Mill Theatre
PRODUCER – Aria Entertainment

Photographs from the original Hope Mill Theatre production.

Reviews of 2019 Hope Mill Theatre Production

 

“..an unforgettable, unique and vibrant treat..” – JEWISH TELEGRAPH ★★★★★

 

“RAGS is beautifully executed theatre which will sweep you away with its gritty and poignant storytelling.” – OPENING NIGHT ★★★★★

 

“It’s another hit from the Manchester-based Hope Mill Theatre and Aria Entertainment,
who once again prove their commitment to nurturing musicals and producing first class productions.” – BEN HEWIS ★★★★★

 

“ ..a strong cast that give a breathtaking performance both individually and as an ensemble.” – SINCERELY AMY ★★★★★


2014 CONCERT NOMINATED AS THEATRICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR BY WHATSONSTAGE

 

Reviews of 2014 Concert

 

“Maureen Lipman as Narrator proved the icing on the cake. Who better to bring the necessary wry humour and warmth to Rags? Centrepoint will rightly benefit from this one-off staging, but it would be satisfying to see such a promising production given a longer lease of life.” – WHATSONSTAGE

 

“Rags in Concert was an absolute triumph, surprising and moving.” – POST SCRIPT JOURNAL

 

“Excellent traditional Jewish-inspired score of Charles Strouse to life
whilst the actors performed the songs around them.” – ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS ★★★★

 

“Had this been the production that had opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on 21st August 1986, it would probably still be running.” – REMOTE GOAT ★★★★