RHAPSODY IN SETH - ABOUT THE SHOW

Rhapsody In Seth at The Actors' Playhouse with Seth Rudetsky

ABOUT THE SHOW
Rhapsody in Seth, written by and starring Seth Rudetsky and directed by Peter Flynn, is a one-man, multi-media comedy about an obsession with high-belting Broadway divas, Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue," and growing up in Long Island's North Woodmere. The show traces Rudetsky's childhood on Long Island - where being musically talented was praised, but growing up gay wasn't - all the way to a successful Broadway musical director and comedy writer in New York City.

While other kids were quoting the stats from their favorite sports teams, Rudetsky was quoting how may E's and F's Betty Buckley, Patti Lupone or Laurie Beechman were hitting. (Patti hit 16 E's in a row in Evita). The show features vintage footage of Rudetsky jazz dancing in leg warmers to "I Am What I Am," a comparison of sassy belting from Buckley (in Drood...), Lupone (in Evita), Beechman (in Joseph...) and Lauren Bacall's basso profundo attempt (in Applause) as well as a demonstration of chest and head voice placement courtesy of Janis Paige in The Pajama Game. Rhapsody In Seth shows how theatre and music was used as an escape and eventually a triumph over an awkward childhood.

Rudetsky, voted "New York's Funniest Gay Male" at Stand-up NY, is a three-time Emmy nominated writer for his work as a comedy writer on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." He is also responsible for writing the opening diva number for The 1998 Tony Awards and producing/conducting the recent Dreamgirls concert featuring Audra MacDonald and Heather Headley, recorded by Nonesuch Records. Each week he hosts a weekly celebrity talk show, "Seth's Broadway Chatterbox," which benefits Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS where he has interviewed numerous stars such as Matthew Broderick, Bebe Neuwirth and Megan Mullally. Rudetsky also plays piano for many Broadway shows including The Producers, Mamma Mia and Phantom and has played concerts for Broadway stars including Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, Lillias White among others.

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