By Don Church and Tony Schillaci, Critics On The Aisle

Photo of Samantha Massell as Rebecca and Davis Harris as Bronfman by Diane Sobolewski

An exceptional "new" musical has opened at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, CT. Playing through December 10, the quintessentially American tale illustrates the struggles, hopes and optimism of

immigrants who came to find their dream in the "Brand New World" in the beginning of the 20th Century.

As the newcomers disembark from a long ocean crossing in steerage, the main characters, Rebecca Hershkowitz and her son David, along with their new friend Bella sing "If We Never Meet Again" a glorious anthem which sets the tone for the rest of this engaging show.

When the displaced foreigners arrive on Ellis Island, a quintet of exploitive wealthy bigots sneeringly confront

the newcomers. They voice their displeasure of the new arrivals in a ragtime ditty "Greenhorns." This memorable tune, often reprieved, illustrates the difficult future the immigrants will face living eight to a room in squalid tenements while trying to find their place in life on Manhattan's lower East side.



Although RAGS appeared briefly on Broadway in 1986, the original creators Charles Strouse (music) and Stephen Schwartz (lyrics) have teamed up with writer David Thompson, who has adapted the

late Joseph Stein's book. The result is this uplifting piece that reveals the determination of all those hard-working immigrants who eventually built America and generations later still do - with the promise of a better life.

Rebecca is played and sung magnificently by Samantha Massell*, who brings to the character the

strength and fortitude of a widowed young woman alone in a somewhat hostile environment. Rebecca uses her talent for sewing to design and create a new look in women's fashion – hence the title RAGS. Her fashion sense comes to the attention of factory owner Bronfman (David Harris*) who uses his charms (and lovely tenor voice) to beguilingly exploit the seamstress. Competing for Rebecca's attention is downstairs neighbor "the Italian" Sal (Sean MacLaughlin*)– whose booming baritone is showcased in the delicious

duet "Blame It on The Summer Night" – played out on the tenement rooftop. Through all this turmoil, Rebecca's young son David (convincingly portrayed by Christian Michael Camporin*) struggles to keep

his mother close while trying to keep her suitors at arm's length.



Rebecca's friend Bella is a bundle of energy and optimism as played by Sara Kapner* who beautifully

duets with Ms. Massell in "Children of The Wind", and the aforementioned "If We Never Meet Again." Bella's song-writing beau Ben is dazzlingly played by show-stopping Nathan Salstone* ("Bella's Song," "Yankee Boy"). Mr. Salstone's character is probably based on the Tin Pan Alley songwriters of the day – Irving Berlin instantly comes to mind.



The brilliant Adam Heller* is perfectly cast as Bella's father Avram, who is reduced from being a

teacher in the Old World to a peddler in the new one. A more experienced street peddler, Rachel,

sets her cap on snaring Avram into sharing her "Three Sunny Rooms," a show stopping lovely, witty, and melodic song which highlights the buoyant spirits of the newcomers to New York. Lori Wilner* delightfully portrays Rachel as a world-wise widow who uses wit and guile to catch Avram's heart.



In the tenement, struggling to get out as much piece work as possible each day, is Jack (Mitch Greenberg*) and Anna (Emily Zacharias*) who keep the Jewish traditions alive in their crowded apartment while making a new life for themselves surrounded by the chaos of their daily struggle to put challah on the table.

Vocal arranger David Loud beautifully blends the voices of the quintet (J.D.Daw*, Ellie Fishman*,

Danny Lindgren*, Sarah Solie* and Jeff Williams*). These talented actors do double duty as

immigrants in many scenes, often magically appearing throughout the theater in the balcony, in the aisles, or in front of the first row of the orchestra. This terrific staging technique makes for an even more intimate feel during this poignant musical.

