(via David Coffman and Linda Chichester)
HIP HOP CINDERELLA is a new musical, brought to our attention through the TRU Zoom Community Gatherings, free on Fridays at 4:30 pm–also don’t forget: ESTELLA SCROOGE TICKETS, TRU’s 12/18 VIEWING PARTY.
AMAS MUSICAL THEATRE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH HIPHOPMUSICALS.COM
ANNOUNCE
“HIP HOP CINDERELLA – A NEW MUSICAL”
AN OUT OF THIS WORLD MUSICAL ADVENTURE
BOOK BY SCOTT ELMEGREEN
MUSIC & LYRICS BY RONA SIDDIQUI
STORY ADAPTED BY LINDA CHICHESTER AND DAVID COFFMAN
A FAMILY-FRIENDLY VIRTUAL THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE
FEATURING ALUMNI STUDENTS OF
THE ROSETTA LENOIRE MUSICAL THEATRE ACADEMY
STREAM LAUNCH BEGINS DECEMBER 10, 2020
New York, NY (11/12/20) – Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) in association with HipHopMusicals.com (Linda Chichester and David Coffman, Co-Founders) will present “Hip Hop Cinderella – A New Musical,”a family-friendly intergalactic romp with a cool, hip hop vibe, laughs, adventure and unforgettable songs. This virtual theatrical experience will launch online beginning Thursday, December 10 at 7pm and will be available on demand through December 27, 2020. Tickets are priced at $20 (general admission), $15 (students/seniors) and $25 (viewing family) and may be purchased at www.amasmusical.org. All proceeds will benefit Amas Musical Theatre’s education programs.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, teenage Cinderella and her rapping robot companion Runka live on planet Zolla. They toil under the thumb of Cinderella’s stepmom, Lady Zurka, and her two social media obsessed stepsisters, Zig and Zag. The galaxy has lost its groove, and the Prince is throwing a Hip Hop Ball and Rap Competition to turn the beat around. Traveling via a quantum time warp, Cinderella transforms into “Ella C” and fights to win the competition. Upon returning to planet Zolla, Ella C is forced into a royal rap battle against Lady Zurka with a surprising result.
“It’s a new world and it’s time for new ways of storytelling,” says David Coffman, Co-Founder of HipHopMusicals.com. “Rap, Hip Hop, TikTok, Pop, Virtual Theater and Musical Theatre are all part of a thriving new language. We are happy to join the conversation!” While Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Director of Amas Musical Theatre, says “It’s very satisfying to see our young people embracing this new form of theatrical performance. And there is a new opportunity to share our work to with a greater audience through this medium.”
Directed by Christopher Scott, Amas Artistic Associate, with musical direction by Evan Alparone, the cast features alumni students of the Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy. They are: Alexis Aguiar, Cassandra Barckett, Jamiel Tako L. Burkhart, Brian Criado, Emily Lang and Lexy Piton. The stage manager is Benjamin A. Vigil and Nikki Wen is assistant stage manager. Video Editor is Matt Gurren.
Creative Team Bios
Scott Elmegreen (Book) Scott’s family shows include The Magic School Bus, Live! The Climate Challenge (Bay Area Children’s Theatre, National Tour); Ivy + Bean, The Musical (BACT; South Coast Rep; Atlantic Theater Company; National Tour; pub. Theatrical Rights Worldwide); Ladybug Girl And Bumblebee Boy, The Musical (BACT; national tour); and Awesome Allie, First Kid Astronaut (Vital Theatre, planetariums, pub. TRW). He wrote the music for Colin Quinn Long Story Short (Broadway/Helen Hayes Theater; HBO; national tour), and his play Straight (NYTimes Critics’ Pick Off-Broadway; pub. Dramatic Publishing Company) has been produced across the country and around the world. He teaches musical theatre libretto- and songwriting at the University of Chicago, and writes sci-fi novels under a pseudonym (HarperCollins Publishers). Education: Princeton University.
Rona Siddiqui (Music and Lyrics) is a composer/lyricist based in NYC. Awards: 2020 Jonathan Larson Grant, 2019 Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award, ASCAP Foundation Mary Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Award, ASCAP Foundation/Max Dreyfus Scholarship. Named one of Broadway Women’s Fund’s Women to Watch. Shows: Salaam Medina: Tales of a Halfghan, One Good Day, The Tin, Treasure in NYC. Concerts: Rona Siddiqui: Halfghan on a Mission at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Rona’s Turn at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Featured Artist: Wicked’s 16th anniversary commemoration Flying Free, 24 Hour Musicals, Prospect Theater Company, The Civilians, the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, 52nd St Project.
David Coffman (Story Adaptation) conceived and produced the Latino Off Broadway musical 4 Guys Named José. Conceived and produced the musical Blackbirds of Broadway which started at the National Alliance of Musical Theater Festival and played regional theaters across the U.S., the Montreal Jazz Festival and two European tours. David is also the Managing Director of Sundance Productions Inc, which is the New York office of BB Promotion GmbH, which is one of the leading firms providing high quality musicals and live entertainment in Europe including international tours of West Side Story and The Harlem Gospel Singers. Also New York representative for Scandinavia’s largest theatrical stage rights agency, Nordiska ApS, David has negotiated international licenses the foreign language live stage rights for many Broadway musicals including: The Addams Family, Flashdance, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, The Full Monty, Avenue Q (Helsinki), Wicked (Helsinki), The Last Ship, Next to Normal. Additionally, negotiated licenses for Cats and Rock of Ages in Mexico. David speaks at Commercial Theater Institute and at the seminars on the international licensing of Broadway musicals.
Linda Chichester (Story Adaptation) is a BFA graduate of Hofstra University and CTI Commercial Theater Institute Seminars. A member of Women In Music, Linda has shepherded the development process various musicals through readings, workshops, productions, and raised financing. Additionally, Linda scouts shows Broadway and Off Broadway shows for overseas buyers.
Christopher Scott (Director) Director/acting teacher and Artistic Associate, Amas Musical Theatre. Artistic Director, Masterworks Theater Company. Off-Broadway: The Glass Menagerie (Audelco Nom.), EDWIN: The Story Of Edwin Booth, A Class Act, Nancy Friday’s My Secret Garden, Golf:The Musical (Drama Desk Nom.), For Lovers Only, Tails, The Big Bang, and Greed: A Musical For Our Times. Baruch PAC/Great Works: Endgame, Miss Julie, Antigone, Hedda Gabler, Medea and Zoo Story. Other NYC: The Morons (Best Director Nom. – First Irish Festival); Years Of Sky (59e59); Best Night Ever and Sitting Shiva (fringeNYC); I Am, I Will I Do and Lorenzo (NYMF); In Pursuit Of Peace and Picked Up (BBTF). Member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Workshop, also Many shows for Theatreworks/USA. Faculty: Baruch/CUNY, CAP21-NYU/Tisch, The Michael Howard Studio. Graduate Boston Conservatory. Website: xscottnyc.com
Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) is a non-profit, multi-ethnic theatrical organization founded in 1968 by Ms. Rosetta LeNoire. Amas (“you love” in Latin) is devoted to the creation, development and professional production of new American musicals, the celebration of cultural equity and minority perspectives, the emergence of new artistic talent, and the training and encouragement of inner-city young people. Amas celebrates its impact in pioneering multi-ethnic casting in the American Theatre and reiterates its commitment to this reflection of our diverse society.
Cast Bios
Alexis Aguiar (Cinderella) started acting at Queens College Summer Camp, where she performed in junior musicals such as Hairspray and Seussical. In 2019, she participated in the first All-in All-City Teen Theater Ensemble hosted by Peter Avery. There she helped create an original musical that was performed at the Music Box Theater and the FIAF theater. Alexis entered the Rosetta LeNoire Academy this year and performed in this year’s online performance of Into the Woods as Cinderella. She is very excited to be reprising her role as Cinderella in this new musical.
Cassandra Barckett (Zig) is thrilled to be back with Amas and working on this production of Hip Hop Cinderella. She was in the Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Teen Academy for six years since she was 15. Previous Amas credits include Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Urinetown, Fame, and 9 to 5. She recently graduated this year from William Paterson University with a BA in Communications with an Emphasis on Theatre and Comedy. She would like to thank her family and friends for the love and support, her teachers for guiding her in the right direction, and a special shout out to Chris, Evan, Donna, and the whole creative team for giving her this wonderful opportunity to be part of a fun show. “Peace and Love Everyone!”
Jamiel Tako L. Burkhart (Prince) is thrilled to take part in his first Zoomsical! He’s a LaGuardia HS grad who’s worked with MCC and done various productions around the city and is blessed to be able to do what he loves every day! Thank you to Chris and Donna for this great opportunity to work with all these wonderful cast and crew members!!! Recent credits include: Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/the Wolf), Rent (Angel Dumonte Shunard), Newsies (Henry), Pippin (Pippin/Lewis), Annie (President Roosevelt/Servant/NYC Tourist), Jesus Christ Superstar (Caiaphas). Insta:@Jamiel Burkhart FB:@Jamiel Burkhart. Twitter:@burkhart.jamiel
Brian Criado (Runka) has been performing theatrical productions since his sophomore year of high school. He has also been in theater programs such as the NYCDOE Teen Theater Ensemble, The Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theater Academy as the Baker in their production of Into The Woods, and the Broadway For All Summer Conservatory.
Emily Lang (Zag) is ecstatic to be a part of Hip Hop Cinderella! She is a sophomore music and theatre double-major at Muhlenberg College. Favorite Amas productions include: Pippin (Fastrada), Jesus Christ Superstar (Pontius Pilate), Urinetown (Soupy Sue). Other favorites include: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), Into the Woods (Witch), Nunsense (Mother Superior), Shrek (Princess Fiona). Thanks to the creative team for this awesome opportunity.
Lexy Piton (Lady Zurka) is excited to be apart of her fourth production with Amas! She is a recent graduate of LaGuardia High School and will continue to study theater at Dartmouth College. She would like to thank Amas Musical Theatre for three years of wonderful shows and her family and friends for their continued support.
Benjamin A. Vigil (Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be back with Amas Musical Theatre after collaborating on Keaton and the Whale last fall! He is a NYC-based stage manager and actor. Select SM credits: Freedom Riders, Bayard, Walt and Roy, Legendary (Allen and Gray), Much Ado About Nothing (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival), Citizen Be Heard (Girl Be Heard), Vietnam..through my lens (LSNelson Productions), Cabaret (The Gallery Players), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (PPAS), Galapagos (Arboretum Productions). Thanks to Mom, Dad, Sam, Brittany, and everyone who has helped, in any capacity, along the way! During these difficult times, please consider donating to the organization of your choice to help advance this country forward that so many individuals call home. @benjaminavigil
Nikki Wen (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to join the Amas creative team for the first time. She has been stage managing since high school and worked on productions such as 1776, Peter and the Starcatcher, and The Little Mermaid. Her enthusiasm for theater has not faded in college where she has assisted in managing As Is and Gone Missing (Baruch College). Nikki is currently a Finance major with minors in Theatre Arts and New York Studies. Oftentimes she can be found spike taping everything in sight.
About HipHopMusicals.com
We are on a mission to create the next generation of musicals. Together with our amazing writing teams, our goal is to disrupt the traditional musical theater narrative by creating exciting, new forms of storytelling. We are fully committed to inclusion, diversity, respect, and the continued growth of hip hop. Our goal is to create an inclusive, creative culture that celebrates diverse voices. Together we will make discoveries and progress with respect and love to those who have come before us. These new musicals are available for license and truly are . . . “New Musicals For The Next Generation.”
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