54 Sings The Rink, feat. Karen Ziemba & more!
July 22, 2024
Charles Kirsch, the 16-year-old host of the theater podcast Backstage Babble, will host and produce this evening celebrating the underappreciated 1984 musical The Rink. The show tells the story of Anna, originally played by Chita Rivera, who is attempting to sell the decaying roller rink she owns, when her daughter Angel, portrayed by Liza Minnelli, returns home and throws a wrench in things. The score was penned by John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret) with a book by legendary playwright Terrence McNally.
The concert will feature Broadway and cabaret stars performing songs from the score, as well as original cast and creative team members sharing their memories of the Broadway production.
The concert will also celebrate the memory of beloved Broadway star Chita Rivera, who recently passed away at the age of 91. Her performance in this musical is among her most indelible, and her songs from the show, including “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer” and “Don’t Ah Ma Me,” will be brought back to thrilling life by this all-star cast.
Michael Lavine will serve as musical director for this evening celebrating one of Broadway’s hidden treasures. No theater fan should miss it!
Featuring:
John Bolton (Dames at Sea)
Tony® Honoree Ben Davis (New York, New York)
Sara Gettelfinger (Water for Elephants)
Ilene Graff (I Love My Wife)
Tony Award® nominee Mark Jacoby (Ragtime)
Mel Johnson, Jr. (The Rink)
Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown)
Bianca Marroquín (Chicago)
Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard)
Caroline O’Connor (Anastasia)
Stephanie Pope (Pippin)
Jenna Lea Rosen (Mack and Mabel at All Roads Theatre Company)
Jenny Lee Stern (Forbidden Broadway)
Tony Award® nominee Mary Testa (Oklahoma!)
Tony Award® winner Karen Ziemba (Contact)
plus a special video message from Tony Award® winner Jason Alexander (Jerome Robbins’ Broadway)
Male ensemble:
Quinn Corcoran (Lucky Stiff)
Danny Gardner (Flying Over Sunset)
Bruce Landry (Anastasia)
Andrew Leggieri (Bandstand)
With an introduction by Tony Award® nominee Scott Ellis (Doubt).
Please note that all artists and acts are subject to change at any time.
