Jerry Springer - The Opera
Gird your loins, it's back
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This sacred and profane oratorio of angel-winged songs about heaven, hell and a talk-show host has taken a while to find a berth in Manhattan. But now that it's here, it soars like never before, in a New Group production that fully finds the compassion.
New York Times
Start preparing your protest signs, the show that launched a thousand pickets is back in this revival from John Rando, finally making its New York debut. An irreverent portrait of our times, this profanity-laden satirical masterpiece sees everyone's favorite day-time talk show host dragged to the depths of hell where angels and demons battle it out with the same fervor and unrestrained nastiness displayed by the regular human guests. 14 years on from the show's notorious premiere this provocative and surreal work still holds a sway in our public humiliation obsessed culture, providing commentary with unabashed verve, glee, and obscenity. You have been warned.
Endorsed by the man himself, Jerry Springer - The Opera comes from Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee, two men who along with the rest of the original cast and crew, were forced into hiding by the sheer volume of outrage their creation attracted. Blasphemy irred the Christians and the highly misreported amount of profanity and curse words got the conservatives riled up to the point that the response to a planned television screening was even discussed in the UK's Parliament. Despite this, the show was a critical success.
Entirely sung through, Jerry Springer is accompanied on his journey by soaring ballads, and heartfelt arias full of hilarious lyrics and touching flourishes worthy of any grand opera. If you can stand to cross the picket line, this is a must see!
Terrence Mann as Jerry Springer (until March 11)
Matt McGrath as Jerry Springer (from March 12)
Will Swenson as the Devil
Jennifer Allen
Florrie Bagel
Brandon Contreras
Sean Patrick Doyle
Bradley Greer
Luke Grooms
Nathaniel Hackmann
Billy Hepfinger
Justin Keyes
Beth Kirkpatrick
Elizabeth Loyacano
Tiffany Mann
Jill Paice
Kim Steele
Nichole Turner
Music by Richard Thomas
Book & Additional Lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas
Choreography by Chris Bailey
Directed by John Rando
Set Design by Derek McLane
Costume Design by Sarah Laux
Lighting Design by Jeff Croiter
Sound Design by John Shivers
Projection Design by Olivia Sebesky
Orchestrations by Greg Anthony Ressen
Music Direction by Michael Brennan
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