The musical began previews at the Little Shubert Theatre Oct. 7. Q Records recorded the new cast last month, and the CD is expected in stores Nov. 18. Song titles include "Hard Work," "I Want to Make Magic," "Can't Keep It Down," "Dance Class," "Tyrone's Rap," "There She Goes," "Fame," "Let's Play a Love Scene," "Bring on Tomorrow," "The Teacher's Argument," "Pray I Make P.A.," "The Junior Festival," "Think of Meryl Streep," "Mabel's Prayer," "Dancin' on the Sidewalk," "These Are My Children," "Reconnecting With Iris (Pas de Deux)" and "In L.A."
Heading the cast of Fame are Jenna Coker as Grace "Lambchops" Lamb, a drummer; Emily Corney as Iris Kelly, a classically trained dancer; Shakiem Evans as Tyrone Jackson, a street dancer; Christopher J. Hanke as Nick Piazza, an actor; Nancy Hess as Ms. Greta Bell, the dance teacher; Michael Kary as Goodman "Goody King," a trumpet player; Nicole Leach as Carmen Diaz, a dancer; Gannon McHale as Mr. Sheinkopf, the music teacher; Dennis Moench as Schlomo Metzenbaum, a violinist; Peter Reardon as Mr. Myers, the drama teacher, José Restrepo as José "Joe" Vegas, an actor; Sara Schmidt as Serena Katz, an actress; Q. Smith as Mabel Washington, a dancer; and Cheryl Freeman as Miss Esther Sherman, the English/homeroom teacher.
The ensemble comprises Angela Brydon, Alexis Carra, Ryan Christopher Chotto, David Garcia, Jesse Nager, Jennifer Parsinen, Dawn Noel Pignuola, Eduardo Rioseco, Enrico Rodriguez and Danita Salamida. The latter also serves as the choreography supervisor.
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Conceived and developed by David De Silva, Fame is set in the 1980's and concerns the lives of up-n-coming performing artists attending New York's High School for the Performing Arts. The musical features a book by Jose Fernandez and a score by Jacques Levy (lyrics) and Steve Margoshes (music). The title song — originally performed by Irene Cara in the film "Fame" — was written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore. Drew Scott Harris directs the New York production with choreography by Lars Bethke. The creative team also includes Norbert Kolb (sets), Ken Billington (lights), Paul Tazwell (costumes) and Christopher "Kit" Bond (sound). Fame is being produced Off-Broadway by Richard Martini, Allen Spivak and Dodger Stage Holding by arrangement with The Father Fame Foundation.
Tickets — priced $65-$75 — for Fame on 42nd Street are available by calling (212) 239-6200. The performance schedule at the Little Shubert (422 West 42nd Street) is Tuesdays at 7 PM, Wednesday Saturday evenings at 8 PM with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. For more information, visit www.fameon42.com.
Student rush tickets are available day of performance, for $25 cash only, in person at the Little Shubert box office. Rush tickets will be on sale two hours prior to the performance, subject to availability.
