ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK – MARCH 28, 2022 – Penguin Rep Theatre presents the world premiere of FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE, a concert presentation of the iconic songs from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as reimagined by bandleader extraordinaire Paul Shapiro with a unique multicultural take.
The concert, which features four musicians, three singers, and lots of heart and soul, will be presented for eight performances only, April 2 through April 10.
Joe Brancato, Penguin’s artistic director, was inspired to conceive of the piece after seeing a video of Mr. Shapiro performing one of Fiddler’s songs to an enthusiastic crowd in Krakow, Poland. “I thought why don’t we take the score and give it some universality,” says Brancato. “Maybe someone’s Anatevka is in South America or another part of the world which they are forced to leave.”
Saxophonist, bandleader and composer Shapiro has recorded with Lou Reed, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Rufus Wainwright, David Byrne, Michael Jackson, and many others. He was a founding member of Brooklyn Funk Essentials, a charter member of The Microscopic Septet, and led his own band Foreign Legion throughout the 1980s performing at iconic clubs The Ritz, CBGB and the Mudd Club. He has also performed his music at festivals in Poland, Israel, Slovakia, Mexico, Canada and throughout the U.S.
Other musicians in the band are: Tony Allen, Booker King and Gary Schreiner.
Performing in FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE are: Jennifer Apple, who originated the role of Anna in the first national tour of the Tony Award-winning THE BAND’S VISIT and has performed at regional theatres including Chautauqua Theater Company, American Conservatory Theater, Goodspeed Musicals, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival; Freedom Bremner, recording artist, producer, actor and activist, who began his career as a vocalist with D’Tripp, a fixture in New York’s funk-rock scene and went on to become the lead singer for the jazz-punk band Screaming Headless Torsos; and Meadow Nguy who has starred Off Broadway and in numerous regional theatres.
Performances of FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE are scheduled at Penguin’s intimate, 108-seat theatre, located at 7 Crickettown Road. “The converted barn, circa 1880, has never been more inviting” (The New York Times). Says Mr. Horn, “it’s theatre so close you can feel it, with comfy upholstered seats and no seat more than 30 feet from the stage.” The theatre is air conditioned, handicapped accessible, and has plenty of free parking.
Performances are scheduled: Saturdays, April 2 and 9 at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays, April 3 and 10 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Tickets are $30 each and available online at Penguin Rep’s website at www.penguinrep.org or by calling 845-786-2873.
April 2 – April 10
FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE
Songs by JERRY BOCK & SHELDON HARNICK
Arranged by PAUL SHAPIRO
Experience the iconic songs from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as reimagined by bandleader extraordinaire Paul Shapiro with a unique multicultural take. The concert, which will be presented for eight performances only, features four musicians, three singers, and lots of heart and soul. World premiere.