Cast Announced for FUREE on Pins & Needles: A New Revolutionary Musical

The Foundry Theatre and FUREE (Families United for Racial and Economic Equality) has announced casting for FUREE on Pins & Needles: A New Revolutionary Musical, to be presented at Irondale Center, June 22 – July 9. Ken Rus Schmoll will direct.

Performed by Members of FUREE, this is an adaptation of Pins & Needles, the 1937 musical revue that ran for four years on Broadway. The original was written for and performed by members of the ILGWU (The International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union), which fought for and won many of the laws now protecting the rights of workers.

Ten of the approximately 20 songs and sketches that make up the show come from the original, while the music of Josh White, Lead Belly, and others has been added to reflect the African American experience of that period. Original songs and sketches have been updated with contemporary references, and there are additional scenes by Lynn Nottage, Arthur Arent and Hallie Flanagan (from their Federal Theatre Project plays), Sara Zatz/Ping Chong & Co., and members of the company.

The cast includes FUREE members: Shannon Barber, Stephen Barnes, Latisha Butler, Cynthia Butts, Marilyn Charles, Donna Douglas, Earlyn Ferguson, Lillian Hamilton, Ermias Harper, Yosef Harper, Debbie Howell, Wanda Imasuen, Euston James, Cory Jeminez, Rita Michelle, Jackie Phillip Valerie Phillips, Christopher Robinson, Nova Strachan, and Marsha Zeigler.

The production will feature choreography by Camille A. Brown, musical direction by Richard Harper, set and costume design by Arnulfo Maldonado, lighting design by Sara Sidman, and sound design by David A. Schnirman.

For tickets and more information, click here.