Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy), which is described as a comic oratorio based on Monty Python's "Life of Brian," will play Carnegie Hall Dec. 15-16. Penned by Eric Idle and John DuPrez, the cast will feature Idle, Tony winner Victoria Clark, Marc Kudisch, Lauren Worsham and William Ferguson with director Ted Sperling conducting the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
The season will continue Feb. 3, 2015, at Town Hall with a performance of George F. Handel's Susanna. Performers include Isabel Leonard, Daniela Mack, Javier Abreu and Zachary James. Tony winner Sperling will direct; James Bagwell is the conductor. Based on an apocryphal chapter from the biblical Book of Daniel, Susanna, according to press notes, "tells the story of a virtuous young woman who is falsely accused of sexual promiscuity by two lecherous elders. Aided by the boy prophet Daniel, the true nature of the elders is exposed and Susanna is proven innocent."
The season will conclude with the U.S. premiere of a concert adaptation of The Eternal Road May 6-7, 2015, at Carnegie Hall. Featuring music by Kurt Weill, a libretto by Franz Werfel and an adaptation by Ed Harsh, the cast will include Anthony Dean Griffey, Danny Burstein, Mark Delavan, Philip Cutlip, Lauren Michelle, Megan Marino and Justin Hopkins. Director Sperling will conduct the Orchestra of St. Luke's. The Road of Promise tells the story of a "young boy left in the care of a Rabbi and his congregation in the wake of a pogrom. To calm the boy's fears and help him understand his faith and heritage, the Rabbi recounts ancient biblical tales, and as he does, the stories of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Rachel, Moses, Ruth, Saul, and David all come to life."
For more information about The Collegiate Chorale, visit www.collegiatechorale.org.