CHARLIE AND ALGERNON Adds New Stars to Lineup at Feinstein's/54 Below
by BWW News Desk Jul. 13, 2016
Additional casting has been announced for Charlie and Algernon: In Concert at Feinstein's/54 Below. As previously reported, the 1980 musical based on the beloved novel Flowers For Algernon will come to life again for one night only, with the show's original star, P.J. Benjamin (Wicked, Chicago, Sophisticated Ladies and more).
Joining the cast are Daniel Walstad as Frank and Bruce Ward as Charlie's Dad. The show's original Alice, Sandy Faison, now a teacher at The Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, will introduce her student Marilyn Murphy to sing a song Ms. Faison originated.
From the team that is bringing ONWARD VICTORIA, Feinstein's/54 Below, comes another wonderful musical with a rarely-heard score. CHARLIE AND ALGERNON features a score by Charles Strouse, the Tony Award-winning composer of Annie, Applause, Rags and Bye, Bye, Birdie with a book and lyrics by David Rogers.
The short-lived musical opened on Broadway at The Helen Hayes Theatre on September 14th, 1980 and closed on September 28th, only 17 performances later. It traces the mental and emotional development of Charlie Gordon, a disabled young man who becomes the first human test-subject for an ambitious experiment. Through his friendship with a white mouse named Algernon, we watch Charlie tackle the highs and lows of life.
Over the course of the evening, three different actors will play the title role, charting his progression and regression. In addition to P.J. Benjamin, Be More Chill star George Salazar and 2-time MAC Award-nominee Stearns Matthews will take turns as Charlie.
Additional cast members include 7-time MAC Award-winner Natalie Douglas as Lita, Vanessa Spica as Alice Kinnian, Kristen Gehling as Mrs. Donner, Paul Thomas Ryan as Dr. Strauss and Thia Stephan as Charlie's Mom. The show's original Alice, Sandy Faison, will narrate the one-night-only concert. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
The evening is produced and directed by Steven Carl McCasland, with Musical Direction by James Horan.
Tickets are now available at 54below.com/events/charlie-algernon-concert.
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