DIVIDED, the powerful new musical by Kristen and Luanne Rosenfeld, and directed by Paul Stancato, will premiere in a concert performance by some of Broadway’s brightest stars at Feinstein’s/54 Below, in New York City on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at 9:30 PM.
An explosive tale of young love and old prejudice set in Boston during the tenuous peace of the post-Civil War era, DIVIDED is the story of Bridget O’Neill, a young woman who finds a mysterious packet of letters in a trunk. The revelation sparks a journey of self-discovery to find and understand the parents who left her so long ago – so that she can, in the end, understand and define her own story. Bridget’s search leads to astonishing revelations, culminating in confrontations that will shatter her assumptions about life, family, love, and community, forever.
Taking place in a time of strife, massive change, and rebirth, DIVIDED is a story with soaring melodies, timeless characters, and powerful echoes to the past. It’s also a story offering haunting, timely and powerful parallels to America’s fractured racial and political landscape today. The musical’s score reflects that rich diversity, with distinct elements from the Civil War, Irish immigrants, and the African American spiritual, welding the past to the present for an unforgettable musical and theatrical experience that is nevertheless wholly modern.
The concert performance of DIVIDED will feature an array of some of the brightest and most exciting talents found on Broadway today, including the vocal talents of Andrew Chappelle (HAMILTON, MAMMA MIA); Samantha Massell (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, LA BOHÈME); Julie Benko (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, LES MISÉRABLES); L. Steven Taylor (THE LION KING); Bart Shatto (LES MISÉRABLES, HANDS ON A HARDBODY), Kissy Simmons (THE LION KING), as well as Glenn Seven Allen, Leslie Becker, LaDonna Burns, Julie Foldesi, Elizabeth Loyacano, Nick Rehberger, and Deborah Tranelli. The ensemble also includes PJ Adzima, Cedric Cannon, Ashley Jackson, Sarita Lilly, and Richard E. Waits.
Together, the acclaimed mother-daughter writing team behind DIVIDED, Luanne Rosenfeld and Kristen Lee Rosenfeld, brings a unique voice to the theatre – one that speaks to all generations. Kristen is a well-known NYC composer and music director whose work has appeared at venues such as Joe’s Pub, The Beechman, The Triad, The Metropolitan Room, and Feinstein’s/54 Below. Writer and lyricist Luanne, meanwhile, is a Seattle-based playwright and lyricist whose works have included EQUAL TIME, QUEEN OF VALLELUNA and more. Kristen and Luanne’s musical CARDBOARD CASTLES is currently in development now as a feature film by Rubic House.
DIVIDED concert director Paul Stancato is an award-winning director/choreographer who has directed the National Tours of JEKYLL AND HYDE, THE LION KING, and THE WEDDING SINGER. Upcoming projects include the Palm Beach Dramaworks production COLLECTED STORIES by Donald Margolis in 2017, as well as a new spectacular for Universal Studios Beijing in 2020. He is also hard at work on developing a new musical for Broadway based on the life of 80’s art sensation Jean-Michel Basquiat.
DIVIDED plays Feinstein’s/54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on November 20,2016. There is a $35 cover
charge and a $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Please note that tickets on the day of performance after 4 p.m. are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.