The Directors Company will present a workshop of the new musical Big Famous March 20–21 in Manhattan at New 42 Studios.

Directed by Rachel Klein, the cast will feature Aaron Ramey (Young Frankenstein) as Jan Lewan, Dominique Scott (Rock & Roll Man) as Pally Pulaski, Britney Coleman (Company) as Diane Trent, Lisa Helmi Johanson (POTUS) as Rhoda Jeleski, Leenya Rideout (War Horse) as Zosia Brzeczyszczykiewicz, and Brian Russell Carey (Cabaret) as Vick, plus Devon Meddock, Tina Stafford, Avery Whitted, Louis Christian Jannuzzi III, Andy Paterson, Carlos Velasquez Escamilla, and Laura Elizabeth Flanagan.

The new musical comedy features a book, music, and lyrics by Nicholas Kaminski and music and lyrics by Grammy nominee Stephen Kaminski.

Big Famous is based on the true story of a Polish immigrant who turned his accordion-fueled dreams into a glittering empire. In the musical, Jan Lewan builds a polka dynasty, but when the money stops flowing, and the walls start closing in, will he con his way out of trouble?

“Big Famous is both an immigrant story and an exploration of identity in the face of an entertainment industry that demands conformity,” says co-creator Nicholas Kaminski in a statement. “It's also a show with heart, written by the people who lived it.”

"A polka Ponzi scheme? I was intrigued by this story from the moment I read it,” adds director Klein. “I'm excited to work with the Kaminskis, the incredible father-and-son writing team, who were authentically a part of this world of 1980s-'90s polka-mania, and tell this clever, heartfelt, and deeply entertaining story about an unconventional anti-hero."

The upcoming presentations will also feature music direction by Larry Pressgrove. The production stage manager is Morgan Holbrook, with assistant stage management from Kelly Merritt.

The developmental workshop is presented by The Directors Company with general management by Michalos Management. Casting is by Stephanie Klapper.

Visit DirectorsCompany.org.