SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT PRESENTS MARC BLITZSTEIN’S GROUNDBREAKING MUSICAL COMEDY, “THE CRADLE WILL ROCK” 

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Southwestern College Theatre Arts Department announces the first production of its 2023-2024 season, “The Cradle Will Rock”, by Marc Blitzstein. Writen in 1936 and first produced in 1937, the groundbreaking musical comedy has been noted as a thoroughly American work, not only for its themes and its tunes, but in the ways is author captures the voice of the Depression-era working class in his musical phrasing. 

“The Cradle Will Rock” is set in 1937 in Steeltown, USA, when the workers at the steel mill owned by Mr. Mister are on a drive to unionize their factory. Mister, a wealthy industrialist, holds Steeltown’s political, financial, social, and religious activities in his iron grip. He forms the Liberty Commitee, (comprised of the local minister, newspaper editor, physician, university president, and others) to apply pressure on the working class to keep them from unionizing. Larry Foreman, leader of the union drive proves more than a match for Mister. The conflict rages when the union drive intensifies and threatens Mr. Mister’s hold on power. 

As a composer, Blitzstein wrote in an advanced musical style, using a variety of rhythms, structures, and forms. His passion for the important issues he cared about are evident in the musical’s many songs, most notably “The Nickel Under Your Foot”, “The Cradle Will Rock”, and “Joe Worker” which all became anthems for the burgeoning union movement of the 1930s. The musical’s sa􀆟rical, comedic style encompasses Bach’s fugue inventions, early 1900’s ragtime, 1920’s Charleston dance tunes, and heart-pounding modern ballads. 

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Director: Ruff Yeager

Musical Director and Accompanist: Imahni King

Scenic, Lighting, and Properties Designer: Mike Buckley

Costume Designer: Jeanne Reith

Sound Designer: Brandon Waterson

Stage Manager: Jaena-Mae Caguiat

Assistant Director: Giancarlo Lugo 

Assistant Stage Manager: Alyssa Reyes

Dramaturg: Xochitl Ramos 

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Cast:

Moll – Ina Lelevier

Gent, Junior, Gus – Santiago Gordillo

Dick – Antonio Echevarria-Ortiz

Cop, Reporter – Isaac Fortunado

Dr. Specialist – Andrew Gerken

Reverend Salvation – Kevin Stevens

Dauber – Julian Ortega Flores

Yasha – Lalo Sanchez

Prof. Trixie – Michaelangelo Sansano

President Prexy – Jacob-Adam Lopez

Editor Daily – Xochitl Ramos

Harry Druggist – Francisco Ochoa

Clerk, Stevie, Prof. Scoot – Flynn Leiter

Prof. Mamie – Kylie Ma Suy

Mr. Mister – Samuel Castillo

Mrs. Mister – Clarissa Contreras

Sister Mister – Emilia Molina

Larry Foreman – Julyun Cabogasan

Ella Hammer – Aimee Sanchez

Bugs, Reporter – Ricardo Chavez