A new CITIZENS BAND show starts THIS WEEK!

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The Citizens Band Announce New Show

“The Debt Rattle” to run for 3 nights at Henry Street Settlement

Show: The Debt Rattle
Dates: Thurs Oct 22^nd, Fri Oct 23^rd, Sat Oct 24^th (8 pm each night)

Location: Abrons Arts Center on Grand Street, b/w Pitt and Clinton St.

The Citizens Band, the sexy, ribald musical troupe renowned for their dazzling song and dance performances, will bring their eighth original show, “The Debt Rattle,” to the Henry Street Settlement this October.  “The Debt Rattle” is the troupe’s first show since the new political administration took office.

Performers for “The Debt Rattle” include Chelsea Bacon, Ian Buchanan, Michael Cavadias, Adam Crystal, Karen Elson, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Rachelle Garniez, Mike Jackson, Greg Jarrett, Zoe Kravitz, Dave Lebleu, Mark McAdam, Amy Miles, Jon Natchez, Nina Persson, Rain Phoenix and Ronin, with musical direction by Spring Awakening’s Kimberly Grigsby, and special guest performer Mr. Blue.  “The Debt Rattle” also reunites the troupe with acclaimed director Gordon Greenberg (Jacques Brel is Alive and Well; Assisted Loving) who worked with the troupe on their incredible 2008 show, “The Panic is On.”  Set designers Dino Siampos and Sam Wheeler round out the production, which will be nothing short of amazing.

Spurred into creative action by the outcome of the 2004 Presidential election The Citizens Band’s primary goal is to entertain, but always with a sharp jab of the elbow to remind the audience of the state of the world. Infusing politics with humor, The Citizens Band take their cues from the great European tradition of musical theater. Hailing from a fantastic Neverland set somewhere between 1918 and 1943, they’re an artistic collective with a revolving line-up and boundless creativity.

Set in the desperate world of marathon dancing, “The Debt Rattle,” finds our Citizens struggling to make sense of the post-crash social order. Fallen from grace, a disparate group of bankers, dust bowl nomads, Hooverville residents, down on their luck showgirls, and American sweethearts take shelter from the economic storm in a marathon dance hall promising food, warmth and prize money if they can outlast their competitors. Through their struggles, disappointments and victories, they reacquaint themselves with basic human values. Filled with classic and original songs ­from jug band, to Depression-era ballads, agit-prop to swing and aerial arts, dance and a sprinkling of Citizens Band magic, “The Debt Rattle” looks to the past to understand the present and the promise of a better future.

The Henry Street Settlement was founded in 1893 by social work pioneer Lillian Wald and based on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.  Delivering a wide range of social service and arts programming to more than 100,000 New Yorkers each year, Henry Street challenges the effects of urban poverty by helping families achieve better lives for themselves and their children.  More information can be found here:  http://www.henrystreet.org