AVENUE X: Prologue
Ray Leslee
About this work:
AVENUE X, book & lyrics by John Jiler, was the first completely a cappella musical produced Off-Broadway. Since its extended and sold-out run at Playwright’s Horizons in New York, AVENUE X has played more than two dozen regional theatres, and won critics’ “Best Musical Of The Year” awards from Dallas (The Dallas Theatre Center) to Philadelphia (The Wilma Theatre) to Seattle (A Contemporary Theatre) and Cincinatti (The Cincinatti Playhouse). In New York, AVENUE X received both the Richard Rodgers Award and the Kleban Librettists’ Award.
AVENUE X is about racial tensions between blacks and Italians in the Brooklyn of the 1960’s. It attempts to be funny, tragic, passionate and truthful, as well as intensely musical. From Doo-wop to Gospel to Opera, AVENUE X is sung without accompaniment by the company of eight (6 men & 2 women).
Mr. Leslee produced the cast album for RCA Victor/BMG Classics. Script and score are published by Samuel French Inc.
“Rediscovering what musicals are all about - bursting with the kind of talent, wit and energy that separates the living theatre from all entertainment that comes in a can.” – Vincent Canby, The New York Times.
“There is a vitality about this show, a real freshness.” - Martin Gottfried, NY Law Journal.
"AVENUE X will thrill" - Clive Barnes, The NY Post.
"We are transported as cast members sing their hearts, throats and guts out." - John Simon, NY Magazine.
" Lush, booming, soaring! A musical for people who don't like musicals." - LA Weekly.
"Bracingly pure. The thrill goes right up the back of your neck." - The Dallas Morning News.
Year composed: 1994
Duration: 00:02:30
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Music Theater
Instrumentation: 8 Other choral Part(s)
Instrumentation notes: Featuring: Colette Hawley, Cheryl Alexander, Ted Brunetti, John Leone, John-Martin Green, Jerry Dixon, Chuck Cooper, Wilbur Pauley