The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, the hit Broadway show produced by Steven Van Zandt and Maureen Van Zandt starring original band members Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati, Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish, is “Groovin’” to Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a limited engagement May 24 -27, 2013. The Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 shows will begin at 8 p.m. The Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27 shows will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
The Rascals, formerly known as The Young Rascals, are one of the most influential, and artistically important American bands in rock and roll history. In a time dominated by the English rock acts of the British Invasion, The Rascals drew from the same well that fed the then-burgeoning domestic garage rock scene. They would go on to lead the way for Blue-Eyed Soul to Folk Rock to Protest to Civil Rights, blending white pop melodies with black soul and R&B muscle. Though they never brandished their politics like some bands, the Rascals truly lived theirs, fighting discrimination by demanding that a black act appear on the bill at each of its concerts. Their music would span the entire decade from the early Go-Go dance parties right through the psychedelic era and beyond. They went their separate ways in the early 70s, finally reuniting for one night in May of 1997 when Steven Van Zandt inducted them into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, a hybrid of a rock and roll concert and a Broadway show, marks the first time that The Rascals, America’s classic blue-eyed soul band, have played together since that time. Original band members Felix Cavaliere (keyboard & vocals), Eddie Brigati (vocals), Dino Danelli (drums) and Gene Cornish (guitar) will present a complete concert performance including songs that captured the spirit of America in the 1960s including the smash hits “Good Lovin’,” “Lonely Too Long,” “It’s a Beautiful Morning,” “How Can I Be Sure” and, of course, “Groovin’.” The production will also feature the history of the iconic group told through archival footage, narration and dramatic film segments viewed on state-of-the-art LED screen technology.
The show made its debut at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Originally scheduled to play three performances in December 2012, an additional three shows had to be added to accommodate the demand for this unique concert experience. The production was named one of the top five concerts of the year by the Huffington Post. The New York Times proclaims, “The original four-man band is alive and stomping.” Rolling Stone stated that “the soul of The Rascals is intact,” while Showbiz 411 exclaimed, “Run, do not walk!” WCBS-FM raves, “The band doesn’t disappoint! It’s shocking how much Felix Cavaliere sounds like his younger self, Gene Cornish plays with the fury of a garage rocker playing at a ‘battle of the bands,’ Dino Danelli’s drumming propels the band and Eddie Brigati dances as good and sings as soulfully as he did all those decades ago.”
Directed by actor, producer and longtime guitarist for the E Street Band Steven Van Zandt and Marc Brickman, with music by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream features stage, video and lighting design by Brickman with music production and writing credits by legendary guitarist Van Zandt. Larry Magid and BASE Entertainment are executive producers.
Tickets cost $84, $74, $64 and $54*; all seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.myhrl.com, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one-hour prior to show start time. *Additional fees may apply.