Joe Pantoliano Joins Rock & Roll Man New York Premiere

Emmy Award winner Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos) — best known by the name “Joey Pants” — will join the cast of Rock & Roll Man, a new musical about the life of legendary disc jockey Alan Freed. Pantoliano will play Morris Levy, the owner of the New York nightclub Birdland, and Leo Mintz, the owner of Cleveland’s Record Rendezvous, both of whom were instrumental in Alan Freed’s rise to fame.

As previously announced, Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis will lead the cast of the New York premiere as Freed. The musical takes place on the last day of Freed’s life during a fever dream in which J. Edgar Hoover (as prosecutor) and Little Richard (as defense attorney) face off in a fantasy courtroom with Freed’s legacy on trial.

Rock & Roll Man features original songs by Gary Kupper (Freckleface Strawberry The Musical) alongside classic hits by Little Richard, Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. The book is written by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak, and Rose Caiola. Tony nominee Randal Myler (It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues) directs the production.

Performances begin at New World Stages on June 2 ahead of a June 21 opening. Additional casting will be announced soon.