UPDATE 8/23/2011
Thank you so much to all of our donors!!! WE HAVE REACHED OUR FUNDING GOAL!!! This production would not have been possible without your generous support.
If you still want to donate, it's not too late! Wars & Whores will be in the Fringe and beyond and any further donations will be put toward the following:
-Cast Recording
-Future Show Development,
-Improved Sound Equipment
Thanks again for all your help! We hope to see you in a few weeks!!
(Note: You can still watch the original video [with more song previews from the musical] right here.)
UPDATE 8/12/2011
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Wars & Whores! Your generous support goes a long way to making our production possible. In just a few short weeks, we have almost reached our fund-raising goal of $3500! With only a few hundred dollars more, we will be able to present a performance unlike any you've seen before. Many thanks to all our financial contributors and all those who support us professionally and emotionally. Thank you!
Our Story
Welcome to the Underground Shakespeare Company's indiegogo campaign for our production of Wars & Whores: The Henry IV Musical! Wars & Whores is an original musical collaboration based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part I and will be presented as a world premiere at the 2011 Philly Fringe!
The Underground Shakespeare Company was founded at the University of Pennsylvania, and since its creation ten years ago, has been devoted to bringing quality Shakespeare-related performances to the university and the West Philadelphia community. The company has had an exciting year with the celebration of its tenth anniversary, and now with its first original and professional production: Wars & Whores!
You never knew Shakespeare was all about the hootenanny. This raucous original new musical presents the Bards classic tale of a princes coming-of-age as it was intended--with all the foot-stomping, harmonica-blowing, acoustic-throwdown tunes your boxcar-riding bones can handle. And yes, whores.
We've begun this campaign because we are starting from scratch! Our company members have written and composed the show and will be acting, directing, and committing a major portion of their non-existent free time to this production. We've incorporated local and out-of-town artists to bring you the best production of our show we can present. We're all here because we love theatre and are committed to reaching as many people as we can with our energetic take on a treasured classic.
With this campaign, we are hoping to raise $3500 to get our production off the ground and to hopefully continue to bring the Philadelphia more original and reinterpreted Renaissance works! Your tax deductible contribution to our fundraising project will help cover the following costs outlined in this rough budget:
Performance and rehearsal space ~$1300
Physical Production including set, sound, and lighting ~$1000
Publicity and Marketing ~$500
Transportation Expenses ~$1000
Fringe Festival Requirements ~$300
As you can see, your contribution is vital to the success of our project, and any money we receive goes straight into the development of our show rather than anyone's pocket.
Any and all contributions are appreciated. For donations of $1 or more, we provide benefits and prizes, including posters, mugs, free tickets, personalized songs, artistic lessons, and much more! Check out the cast and crew to see if you already know some of the artists involved with Wars & Whores!
Cast: Ron Bopst*, Thomas Crawford, Eric Johnson*, Zane Johnston, David Kurnov, Gary Kurnov, Sarah Levine, and Jesse Tendler
Band Members: Jeffrey Barg, Jim Jordan, and Byron Kho
Director: Benjamin Kamine
Assistant Director: Sean Leo
Fight Director: Peterson Townsend
Composer and Lyricist: Jeffrey Barg
Book Adapter: Sarah Ollove
Stage Manager: Monica Valentin
Costume Designer: K. Moriah Smith
Lighting Designer: Charles Foster
Consultant: Miriam White
Producers: Chris Bresky* & Megan Edelman
*Member of Actors Equity Association
The show has been developed and rehearsals are in full-swing! All we need now is your generous support! And whether or not you can contribute financially, we would love to see you at our show. All performances are at the beautiful and rarely-seen Sanctuary of the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street), conveniently located in University City! Tickets can be purchased on the web here: http://ticketing.theatrealliance.org/sites/live...
Performance dates and times are as follows:
Friday, September 9th at 7PM
Saturday, September 10th at 2PM
Saturday, September 10th at 7PM
Sunday, September 11th at 2PM
Thank you for your support!
The Underground Shakespeare Company is resident at and sponsored by Rodin College House.
