Bach at Leipzig
Heart of the Arts, Inc. and Moscow Art Theatre (Too) will present a special benefit staged reading of the hilarious “Bach at Leipzig” by Tony Award-winning playwright Itamar Moses. This one-time event is a fundraiser for the ongoing renovation of the second floor of the 1912 Center, and audience members have a rare opportunity to tour the un-renovated historic upper floors after the performance.
What’s it about? Imagine Amadeus as written by Neil Simon and you'll have some idea of the delicious madness that is “Bach at Leipzig.” The year is 1722. The place: Leipzig, Germany. When the town’s revered organist suddenly dies, leaving his post vacant, the town council invites a group of musicians to audition for the coveted position, among them young Johann Sebastian Bach. A vicious competition ensues, complete with collusions, swindles, shenanigans, skullduggery, and yes, even physical violence among the oddball organists. The LA Times called it "a funny, fiercely intelligent romp." And The Wall Street Journal advises, “If you like super-smart silliness, be ready to laugh until your ribs are sore.”
The cast features Dave Harlan (The Santaland Diaries at the Kenworthy, Artistic Director of Moscow Art Theatre (Too) ), Michael Kostroff (TV and stage actor best known for HBO’s The Wire), Daniel Haley (four years as Scrooge in IRT's A Christmas Carol), Dylan Paul (recently Gift of the Magi at U of I), David Lee-Painter (professor of theatre at U of I, director of IRT's A Christmas Carol), and Joseph Erhard-Hudson (Jellybeans vocal ensemble, RTOP’s Fiddler on the Roof).
