HIGH PRIEST

Written by Paul Iacono

Directed by Rachel Klein

 

HIGH PRIEST tells the story of Warhol Superstar Ondine (Robert Olivo) and his role in the rise and fall of the Silver Factory (Andy Warhol's legendary 1960s studio). Ondine, a brilliant young gay performance artist, also known as The Pope of the amphetamine people, comes to the Big Apple with one goal in mind: to become a star. He is discovered by Andy Warhol, who makes his dream come true when he turns Ondine into a Superstar and the reigning High Priest of his Factory. But at what cost? The story also features an ensemble of some of Andy Warhol's most outlandish and fascinating Superstars like Edie Sedgwick, Billy Name, Brigid Polk, Gerard Malanga, Paul Morrissey, Lou Reed, Nico, Valerie Solanas, and more. HIGH PRIEST is an epic roller coaster through the Silver Sixties and beyond.

 More Info can be found on Playbill

 

The World to Come: The Fellowship of Fiveboro is now available on:

Spotify 

Apple Music

Amazon 

 

 

 

Songs of the Serpent

Introducing Songs from Medusa,  A New Pop Opera

World Premier at Ludlow House NYC

Directed and Styled by Rachel Klein

Music Direction by Dan Pardo 

Music by David James Boyd

Lyrics by Erik Ransom

Creative Production by Chad Kessler

The evening featured Christina Sajous (Spider Man: Turn Off The Dark; Spongebob; Holler If Ya Hear Me; American Idiot) as Medusa, Badia Farha (School of Rock; Broadway Bounty Hunter) as Athena and PJ Griffith (Rock of Ages; We Will Rock You) as Poseidon, with Christian Brailsford (Broadway Dreams; Cleopatra, the Musical Experience), Christopher Isolano (Rope at Lincoln Center), Alexandra Mazzucchelli (Hallmark’s “Christmas Camp”) and Debbie Christine Tjong (Red Roses, Green Gold; Rags Parkland) with a set spun by DJ Rogue set and ambience performed by the Love Show Dancers

The World to Come

 The Iconoclast Theatre Collective and David Treatman Creative Present

    An audio adventure, musical saga

Created by Rachel Klein, Andy Peterson, & Erik Ransom

Scripts and Lyrics by Erik Ransom

Composed and Orchestrated by Andy Peterson 

Directed and Showrun by Rachel Klein

 

Available wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Check out our press here:

Broadway World

DC Metro Arts 

Gay City News 

The Knockturnal 

Gilfriend From Hell: The Musical

Girlfriend From Hell: The Musical 

She's the girl next door..... to Satan! 

A new musical by Sean Matthew Whitford

Produced by Bryan Campione 

Directed by Rachel Klein

Coming Soon.....

Red Roses, Green Gold on Broadway.com

Director Rachel Klein discusses Off-Broadway's

RED ROSES, GREEN GOLD

Featuring the music of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter
Currently extended through March 18th at the Minetta Lane Theatre in NYC!

Upcoming: Red Roses, Green Gold, Featuring the music of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter.
Directed by Rachel Klein.
Opening this October at the Minetta Lane Theatre. 

As Featured in: 

                          The Rolling Stone                           

The New York Times

Variety

              Playbill             

  Broadway World 

  

 Rachel Klein Directs Erik Ransom's 

More Than All the World

A Rock Musical Epic inspired by Christopher Marlowe's Edward II

Huffington Post says "More Than All the World is the musical we need right now"

Gay City News says "(Ransom) has crafted a highly theatrical piece, elevated by Klein's ingenious staging, which connects on an emotional level"

Rachel Klein Directs 

At the Jenny Wiley Theatre in Pikeville, KY. 

Performances October 13th through October 30th.

Tink! A New Musical opens at the New York Musical Festival in NYC!

Check out a great interview about the piece HERE.

Book by Anthony Marino
Music by Lena Gabrielle
Lyrics by Greg Kerestan and Lena Gabrielle
Music Direction by Josh Walker
Fight Direction by Rod Kinter
Co-Choreography by Danielle Marie Fusco
Direction and Co-Choreography by Rachel Klein

More Than All the World at The York Theatre Company

James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director of York Theater Company has announced that as part of its Developmental Reading Series, it will present Erik Ransom's "More Than All the World" directed by Rachel Klein (‘Around the World in 80 Days’, ‘The Anthem’) with music direction and arrangements by Andy Peterson (‘Atomic’). 

Tuesday, March 15th at 2pm

The York Theatre Company

Theatre at Saint Peter's

54th Street just East of Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

The cast features: 

Kate Loprest (B’way: ‘First Date’, ‘Hairspray’) as Queen Isabella

Sean MacLaughlin (B’way: ‘Phantom’, ‘Lestat’) as Sir Piers Gaveston

Paul Iacono (TV: ‘Hard Times of RJ Berger’, Film: ‘Fame’) as Edward III 

Mel Johnson Jr. (B’way: ‘Lion King’, Film: ‘Total Recall’) as Edward I 

Marrick Smith (B’way: ‘Fun Home’, NY: ‘Pretty Filthy’) as Robin/Hugh le Despenser

PJ Griffith (B’way: ’American Idiot’, NY: [Public Theatre]: ‘Giant’) as Roger Mortimer

Rachel Izen (B’way: ‘Les Miz’, West End: ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie” ) as the Countess of Sandwich

Ted Keegan (B’way: ‘Phantom’, ‘Sweeney Todd’.) as the Earl of Lancaster

Erik Ransom (NY: ‘Grindr the Opera’, ‘My Big Gay Italian Wedding’ ) as Marlowe/Edward II

Luis Villabon (NY: Reefer Madness, Naked Boys Singing) as the Archbishop of Canterbury

Marissa Rosen (NY: ‘Bedbugs’, ‘My Big Gay Italian Wedding/Funeral’) as Lady Cataline

Terrance Johnson (Nat’l Tour: ‘Dreamgirls’ Film: ‘Happy Yummy Chicken’) as Prince Edmund

Kate Hoover (NY: 'The Imbible', 'Cranky Cabaret') rounds out the ensemble. 

Casting by Michael Cassara Casting/Jamie C. Anderson. 

Publicity by DDPR/Dan Demello.

For more info about our piece, see us on Broadway World!

Save the Date!

Erik Ransom's 

More Than All the World 

will have a world premier staged reading presented by  The York Theatre Company

on Tuesday, March 15th, at 2:00pm

Musical Direction and Arrangements by Andy Peterson

Direction by Rachel Klein

More information coming soon!

Find out how you can contribute HERE. 

Coming to Off-Broadway in the 2016/2017 Season.....

GRINDR The Opera, written by Erik J. Ransom, puts the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera. With musical styles ranging from baroque to contemporary pop, GRINDR The Opera is a daring, humorous look at the changing landscape of gay relationships, and the greatest catalyst for the shift: GRINDR.

We meet GRINDR, a mythical siren from remote antiquity who has been awoken from her millennial slumber by technology. Her power, which is derived from human lust, is exhibited as she manipulates her gay devotees in a soaring soprano.

Next we meet the boys: Devon is a romantic, Tom is a cynic, Jack is a twink and Don is a daddy. These four gay men of different "Tribes" meet via the medium of the Grindr app, each seeking a different type of connection. GRINDR guides them to intersect to hilarious and calamitous results, culminating in a grand finale wherein all the dirty laundry tumbles out.

Though the opera lives in the world of parody, it touches on some very serious, hot-button issues that exist in the gay community as it transitions into a time of wider acceptance and easy access to opportunities of both romance and lust to be sated. GRINDR The Opera is entirely sung-through and intended to be staged with a cast of five actors: The four men and the Siren, GRINDR, who is intended to be a masked man in drag. It is arranged to be performed by a band of three to five musicians.

Glamour Macabre at Urban Stages!

The Rachel Klein Theater Ensemble Presents:
Glamour Macabre
A go-go dancing, rock n'roll, Broadway belting, sequin tossin' evening of entertainment!
Co-Hosted by Eric Schmalenberger and Miriam! (That's right!)

Saturday, December 14th

At Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St

10:00pm

Featuring:
The Whimsical Horror Stylings of The Rachel Klein Theater Ensemble in "Killer Workout!" "Beyond the Valley of the Pussycats" and "The Egyptian Queen"
Modern Dance Macabre Soloist, Danielle Marie Fusco (Martha Graham)
Sexy Contemporary Ballet by The Love Show (the Nutcracker Rated R)
The Vivacious Vocals of:
Erik Ransom as Damian from his rock musical "Coming"

The Love Show's David F. Slone, Esq
Broadway's Leasen Almquist (Annie Get Your Gun)
RKP's own Red Headed Spitfire, Scooter Pie (Shaken and Stirred)
and Broadway's Ashley Kate Adams debuting "Run", an original song by Miss Adams featuring Glendon Emmons
Musical Talents by:
Sean Hagerty on the electric violin
and the Gothic Romantic stylings of Cornelius Loy on the theremin!

Tickets are $15!
http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=WIN25

The Dead Dream Machine

Now Playing Off-Broadway!

 Cedric Yau and the Yow! Theater Company Present

Around the World in 80 Days 

 A Play by Mark Brown, based on the Novel by Jules Verne

Directed and Designed by Rachel Klein

A fantastic update of the visionary classic

39 characters deftly portrayed by 5 physically unparalleled actors

 

  Performing now the New Theater at 45th Street

354 West 45th Street

www.aroundtheworldinnyc.com

"Director Rachel Klein’s endlessly clever production is being performed at the New Theater at 45th Street... From the wonderfully silly costumes to the ingenious low-tech scenic design, this “Around the World in 80 Days” is a trip well worth taking."

 --The New York Post

"Rachel Klein's thoroughly inventive production of Mark Brown's five-actor play based on Jules Verne's globetrotting adventure, does quite a lot to measure up to its cinematic predecessor."

--Theater Mania

"Mark Brown’s play has been reimagined by Director/Designer Rachel Klein with a cohesive, iconoclastic point of view that speaks of a new generation’s Julie Taymor."

--Woman Around Town

 

 

The Tragedy Of Maria Macabre

at La MaMa
November 4th...

At 5:30pm....

Maria Macabre is resurrected!!! Come see the Tragedy of Maria Macabre for a one-night only presentation at La MaMa.ETC  for Howl Festival in association with the Actor's Fund.

 

Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/9732266

Proceeds go to Howl Help. 

 “The Tragedy of Maria Macabre brought a group of zany characters in front of the audience to tell a visually stunning tale of disillusion.”  Michael Roderick, Broadway World

“The space illuminates with the gothic contortions of Klein’s company.”

Rachel Simhon, The Avant Guardian 

Starring the exquisite talents of: Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Porsche, Danielle Marie Fusco, Preston Burger, Megan O'Connor, Eric Schmalenberger, Freddy Mancilla, Brian Rubiano, and special guest starring as Maria Macabre the Love Show's Angela Harriell. 

After debuting out new show Symphony of Shadows, at Dixon Place last June (to critical acclaim)

the Rachel Klein Theater Ensemble is proud to revive their silent skeleton opus, The Tragedy of Maria Macabre. Join Maria Macabre on her journey through a kaleidoscopic carnival of horrors!

For More info:
www.rachelkleinproductions.com

www.howlfestival.com/about/howlhelp/

 

The Howl Emergency Life Project was created to provide emergency financial assistance and social service support to artists who have participated in the annual Howl Festival or who make their careers in New York City's East Village and Lower East Side arts community and whose work challenges the traditional boundaries of dance, theatre, music, multimedia and the spoken word.

Services include counseling and referrals for personal, family or work-related problems. Linkage to community resources for such needs as medical care, legal services, public benefits or elder care. Workshops are offered on a variety of topics and include: finding affordable housing, financial education as well as health insurance options.

Financial assistance is available for rent, utilities, mental health and medical care as well as other basic living expenses. Grants are approved on a case-by-case basis based on need.

Photos by Michael Blase. 

 

Coming this June....

Dixon Place Presents a World Premier in Dance...

A Mondo Cané Dance Commission.  

Not to be missed! 

 

Who: The Rachel Klein Theater Ensemble

What: Symphony of Shadows: A Tale From the Land Beyond the Veil

When: Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays in June

June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30

Where: Dixon Place / 161A Chrystie Street / New York, NY 10002

Tickets: Advance online: $15 General Admission / $12 Students & Seniors

www.dixonplace.org / 212 219-0736

Photo by Michael Blase.

Sneak Preview Trailer by Ryan Garretson. Watch it on Vimeo:

 www.vimeo.com/41104077

This October: THE TRAGEDY OF MARIA MACABRE at the Wild Project!

THE RKP THEATER ENSEMBLE
PRESENTS
THE TRAGEDY OF MARIA MACABRE
CONCEIVED, DESIGNED & CHOREOGRAPHED BY RACHEL KLEIN

... OCTOBER 20-30 @ THE WILD PROJECT (195 EAST 3RD STREET, BETWEEN A AND B)

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAYS AT 8:00PM, SUNDAYS AT 5:00PM

VIDEO TRAILER:
www.vimeo.com/28088659


After performing to sold out houses at Dixon Place and the Access Theater last March, back by audience demand is The Tragedy of Maria Macabre!

This theatrical dance piece is inspired by 19th century European Circus imagery, silent horror films, and el Dia de los Muertos. The story begins at the end of the life of our twisted heroine, Miss Macabre.

Upon dying, Maria Macabre is not granted eternal slumber, but instead a whirling, kaleidoscopic carnival of horrors: a morbid funhouse where humanity is stripped away and a permanent place in the gruesome chorus line is all but assured.

RKP Theater Ensemble’s haunting dance piece The Tragedy of Maria Macabre will feature

Abigail Hawk (Baker in “Blue Bloods” on CBS)
Elizabeth Stewart (The Hunter and the Swan Discuss Their Meeting at Sundance).
Michael Porsche (Metro; Go-Go Killers!)
Preston Burger (lead dancer in The Forms “Fire To The Ground” music video)
Danielle Maria Fusco (Joyce Soho; Martha Graham Repertory)
Danny Mendoza (Graham Company II)
Megan O’Connor (Sir Sheever; Beat Girl)
Ethan O’Hara (the House of Yes)
Scooter Pie (Co-host, Shaken and Stirred Burlesque)
Brian Rubiano (Night of 1000 Stevies; Lowlife)
Eric Schmalenberger (House of Yes; The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black)


The production is conceived, designed and choreographed by New York Innovative Theatre Award nominated directed and choreographer Rachel Klein (Circus of Circus at The House of Yes). The creative team will include Costume Design by Rachel Klein and Kae Burke (Winner of the 2011 New York Innovative Theatre Award for Innovative Design), Sound Design by Sean Gill, Lighting Design by Ben Kato (nominated for the 2009 Drama Desk for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play), Calligraphy Design by Pak Kei Mak, Feather Design by Ashley Monroe, Makeup Design by Anita Rundles, and Costume Construction by Make Fun Studios. The production will be Stage Managed by Marina Steinberg. Press by Emily Owens PR.


The Tragedy of Maria Macabre will play a limited two-week engagement at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street between A and B), October 20-30; Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets ($20) may be purchased online at www.smarttix.com or by calling 212-868-4444.

RKP THEATER ENSEMBLE PRESENTS A NIGHT OF MACABRE AT THE HOUSE OF YES!

SEPTEMBER 29 @ THE HOUSE OF YES

A NIGHT OF MACABRE AT THE HOUSE OF YES will feature special performances by burlesque chanteuse Ashley Morgan Monroe (Circus of Circus), The Love Show (Nutcracker: Rated R), Scooter Pie (Shaken and Stirred Burlesque), Go-Go Harder (Meaner, Harder, Leather), singer Juliette Campbell (of Shanghai Mermaid), musician Benjamin Ickies (of This Ambitious Orchestra), aerial acts by Airin Deskies (of Lady Circus), Kae Burke (2011 New York Innovative Theatre Award for Circus of Circus), Nicki Miller (of the Skybox) and Anya Sapozhnikova (of House of Yes), acrobatics by Ryan Shinji Murray and fire performances by Evgeniya Radilova with special appearances by Eric Schmalenberger as Miriam, and a screening of the video trailer for RKP Theater Ensemble’s upcoming show, The Tragedy of Maria Macabre. The evening will be emceed by the Empress of NYC Nightlife herself, Chi Chi Valenti (Jackie Factory; HOWL! Festival).

RKP Theater Ensemble will present A NIGHT OF MACABRE AT THE HOUSE OF YES on Thursday, September 29 @ 10pm at The House of Yes (342 Maujer Street, Brooklyn; L Train to Grand Street). Tickets (Suggested donation of $20) may be purchased online at www.smarttix.com or by calling 212-868-4444. All proceeds will benefit RKP Theatre Ensemble’s upcoming production of The Tragedy of Maria Macabre, October 20-30 at The Wild Project. If you’re unable to make it to the event on September 29 but would still like to donate to the production, please visit www.indiegogo.com/The-Tragedy-Of-Maria-Macabre-1.

The Tragedy of Maria Macabre is a theatrical dance piece inspired by 19^th century European Circus imagery, silent horror films, and el Dia de los Muertos. The story begins at the end of the life of our twisted heroine, Miss Macabre. Upon dying, Maria Macabre is not granted eternal slumber, but instead a whirling, kaleidoscopic carnival of horrors: a morbid funhouse where humanity is stripped away and a permanent place in the gruesome chorus line is all but assured. Arriving in the land of the dead, Maria Macabre is greeted by the King and the Queen of the Dead, and many other ghoulish Hades-Dwellers including a maniacal Ringmistress, a Beauty Queen burnt to a crisp, a menacing French Clown, and three skeletal Mariachis.

The Tragedy of Maria Macabre will play a limited two-week engagement at The Wild Project (195 East 3^rd Street between A and B), October 20-30; Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets ($20) may be purchased online at www.smarttix.com or by calling 212-868-4444.