Michael Londra & DEVCO’s Chris Paladino Present an AEA Reading of Larry Kirwan’s Rebel Girl at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
New Brunswick, NJ — Larry Kirwan & Michael Londra are joining forces to announce an Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) reading presentation of Rebel Girl, a new dramatic musical by acclaimed writer and musician Larry Kirwan, taking place on Saturday, September 27 at 2:30 PM and 8:00 PM at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC).
Directed by Peter Flynn (Henry IV at the Shakespeare Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), with music direction by Mark Fifer (Parade, Sweeney Todd), Rebel Girl explores a stirring chapter of American labor history through the eyes of women who refused to be silenced. 
About the Show
Rebel Girl, a dramatic musical, chronicles the fiery romance between labor activist Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and Italian revolutionary Carlo Tresca.
As they fight alongside Margaret Sanger, the birth control activist, and songwriter Joe Hill, they challenge the power of industrialists like John D. Rockefeller and Federal security services led by a young J. Edgar Hoover.
Although set in the 20th Century, there is a strong resemblance to contemporary America with its immigration issues, income inequality, and partisan divide.
The riotous original score is influenced by the Folk, Blues, Jazz, Opera, and Gospel music of the period—fortified by rock and modern musical theatre.
Joyful and defiant, Rebel Girl is an American musical made for these times.
Event Details:
What: AEA Reading of Rebel Girl by Larry Kirwan
When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 – 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM
Where: Arthur Laurents Theatre, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), New Brunswick, NJ
Presented by: Michael Londra & DEVCO
Directed by: Peter Flynn
Music Direction: Mark Fifer
Casting: TBD Casting
Cast
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn - Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful, Paradise Square)
Carlo Tresca - Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton)
Ben Fletcher - Daniel Yearwood (Sweeney Todd, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends)
Joe Hill - Van Hughes (American Idiot, Spring Awakening)
Margaret Sanger - Katie Thompson (Oklahoma)
J. Edgar Hoover - Jack Rento (Kafka’s Metamorphosis – the Musical)
Sabina Flynn - Becca Suskauer (Pretty Little Liars)
About the Author
Written and composed by Tony-nominated Larry Kirwan, conceiver of Paradise Square, and leader of the legendary Irish-American rock band Black 47.
Kirwan says “At a time when America badly needs a hero, it feels good to resurrect Elizabeth Gurley Flynn in all her passion, fury and idealism; look out Billionaire Boys Club, Rebel Girl is coming!”
“Larry has always been a hero of mine so to get to work on a project with him is special to me. The fact that we are both immigrants from Wexford town makes this all the sweeter” says Londra. “This historic piece speaks to what is happening in the US right now & Larry’s brilliance is connecting the lessons of the past to today with his truly one in a million talent.”
Presenters
New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO) led by Chris Paladino is a private nonprofit urban redevelopment company founded in the mid-1970’s to serve as a catalyst for New Brunswick’s revitalization. Recognized by the New York Times as a “powerful engine for economic growth” DEVCO has helped the city achieve a remarkable renaissance.
The reading will be executive produced by Michael Londra, the Emmy® nominated producer and host of Ireland with Michael on PBS® & a lead producer on Get Happy, a musical produced at Goodspeed in 2023 and coming to Broadway in 2026.
Larry Kirwans' Rebel Girl Reading at New Brunswick Performing Arts Ctr 9-27
