JUDSON MEMORIAL CHURCH PRESENTS:
The 50th Anniversary Concert Version of
Al Carmines' Christmas Rappings!
Musical Director and Conductor: Henco Espag
Director: Kelly O'Donnell
Choreographer: Lisette Glodowski
Consultant: Russell Treyz
Producers: Abigail Hastings, Scott Munson & Mark Perry
Production Stage Manager: Jared Goldstein
Stage Manager: Anna Fearheiley
Additional Choreography by Thom Fogarty
With Original Cast Members: Essie Bordon, Lee Guilliatt & Craig Kuehl
Cast Members: Rick Alessa, Roy Atwood, Dane Berman, Christine Binder, Sarah Blaze, Richard Bull, T.J. Burkett, Sarah Nelson Craft, Julie Dafydd, Mere Davis, Ted Dawson, Alexandra de Suze, Suzanne Dickerson, Erin Evers, Lulu Fogarty, Thom Fogarty, Paul Fraccalvieri, Nicholas Gottlieb, Martha Gotwals, Jason Hart, Martha-Emily Harvel, Marnee Hollis, Kristin Keating, Sam Kinsman, Suan, Kirby, Kimberly Larkin, Ryan S. Lowe, Robert Lydiard, Marion Markham, Robin Manning, Christian Mansfield, Marilyn Matarrese, Christopher Michael McLamb, Peggy McNamara, Eric Oliver, Kurt Perry, Leila Rinehart, Jenny Selig, Bill Smith, JessAnn Smith, Megan Thomas, Reggie Whitehead, Amanda Yachechak & Elisabeth Zimmerman
Christmas Rappings, a December favorite at Judson Memorial Church since its inception in 1969, is a joyous oratorio based on the Christmas story as presented in the four gospels. The music by the late Al Carmines' covers all genres, from country to classical to blues to gospel, plus a tango to "show tunes."
From 1962 to 1981, Al Carmines' the composer/lyricist/playwright, wrote over 40 productions for Judson Poets Theater, which he founded. He had seven musicals move to commercial off-Broadway runs, and won four Obies in 1964, '65, 68, and 79, including the first Obie for Sustained Achievement. Carmines was among the first to write about gay relationships, notably with The Faggot (1973). Promenade (1965) was a commercial success and ran off-Broadway in a theater that was then named Promenade. Meanwhile, he was a minister at Judson Memorial Church serving the congregation and the avant-garde arts scene of the Village.
In his tribute to Carmines, Village Voice critic Michael Feingold recalled past Christmas Rappings he had attended. "As performed by Carmines himself at the piano," he wrote, "it was a yearly source of ineffable joy."
