Natascia Diaz, Dan Cooney Lead Musically Human Theatre Project's Nevermore

Natascia-Diaz-and-Dan-Cooney-Lead-Cast-for-Musically-Human-Theatre-Projects-Nevermore-20010101

Musically Human Theatre Productions (MHTP) has announced casting for the concert staging of "Nevermore," a new musical with music by Matt Conner ("The Hollow", "Partial Eclipse"), book by Grace Barnes and lyrics adapted from the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. MHTP will produce the concert staging on Monday, November 7, 2011, at 9:30 p.m., at The Duplex, located at 61 Christopher Street in Manhattan.

Dan Cooney ("9 to 5" on Broadway, upcoming "Bonnie and Clyde) leads the cast in the role of Edgar Allan Poe, which he created in 2006 at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. Joining him will be Natascia Diaz (HELEN HAYES AWARD WINNER, The Capeman at The Delacorte, Jacques Brel) as Mother, Whitney Bashor ("The Hollow", "The Fantasticks") as Elmira, Helen Hayes Award-winner Eleasha Gamble ("Civil War" at Ford's Theater, "Oklahoma" at Arena Stage) as The Whore, and Margo Siebert ("The Hollow", "Saving Aimee") as Virginia. Casting for the role of Muddy will be announced shortly.

"Nevermore" sets Edgar Allan Poe's writings to music, telling the story of his relationships with five women in his life. The Washington Post described it as "a dreamscape of a musical" and described Cooney's performance as "robust" and "virile." Critics have had universal praise for Conner's score, calling it "hauntingly beautiful" (Theatermania.com) and "dark, lush and swooningly romantic" (Washington City Paper). MHTP will use the original Jonathan Tunick orchestrations for the concert. MHTP Artistic Director David Norwood will direct, with Kevin B. Winebold providing musical direction.

Composer Conner's other musical "The Hollow," which he co-wrote with Hunter Foster, recently finished a critically acclaimed run at Signature Theatre. MHTP's "Nevermore" concert will mark Conner's New York City debut. "New works," he said, "as well as new companies like Musically Human, should be fostered as if they were our children."

Following the concert on November 7, MHTP will produce a full run of "Nevermore" in June 2012. To reserve your seat to the "Nevermore" concert, please visit http://www.theduplex.com/~thedup/webcalendar/view_entry.php?id=6282&date=20111107.