Photo Flash: WHATEVER MAN at NYMF

The New York Musical Theatre Festival presents the world premiere of WHATEVER MAN, a new American musical with book, music and lyrics by Benjamin Strouse. WHATVER MAN runs September 29th at 8:00pm, September 30th at 1:00pm, October 2nd at 7:30pm, October 3rd at 1:00 pm, October 4th 8:00pm, and October 8th at 1:00pm at the 45th Street Theatre (354 W. 45th Street).

For all his good intentions, Charlie Weiss just can't get it together. But everything changes after his strong-willed girlfriend, Anna Pink, forces him into a self-help group where Charlie encounters disturbed Superheros--The Swan, Ice Man and the legendary Mr. Perfect---desperate to share their troubles. When their petty squabbles escalate, will Charlie choose to save the world, his relationship or himself? Whatever Man.

The cast features: Paolo Montalban (The King and I and Pacific Overtures on Broadway, ABC/Disney telepic of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because), Russell Arden Koplin (Les Miserables, James Joyce’s The Dead), Kristin Maloney (The Streets of New York, How Now, Dow Jones), David Andrew Anderson (The Wild Party, Man of La Mancha), Alfred Christmas (Ragtime, Porgy and Bess, Margaret Garner at NYC Opera), Philip Hoffman (A Catered Affair, Fiddler on the Roof), Laiona Michelle (Dinah Was, Crowns, Yellow Man) and Austin Ku (The Pirates of Penzance, Anything Goes).

WHATEVER MAN is directed by Hilary Adams (2004 Drama Desk Nominee, Outstanding Director, Moby Dick, Love Jerry, NYMF 2009; Assistant Director: Aida, Reckless and upcoming Collected Stories this spring on Broadway) and choreographed by Dax Valdes (Pinkalicious, The Musical, A (Tooth) Fairy Tale) with musical direction by Ed Rosenberg (Bang-On-A-Can Marathon, Jerseyband).

The set is designed by Ken Larson (Beechwood Drive, Rum and Coke) and the lighting is designed by Julian Rad (Moby Dick, The Kids Left, the Dog Died, Now What, Love Jerry). Costume design is by Elizabeth Dellario (Broadway Bares 19, Pamela’s First Musical), sound design is by Andy Parsegian (The Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, EST) and the fight director is Michael Yahn (Spring Awakening, The Lieutenant of Inishmore).

Tickets for WHATEVER MAN are $20, and the show plays at the 45th Street Theater (354 W. 45th Street) from September 29– October 8, 2009. Tickets go on sale September 1st and can be purchased by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.nymf.org. For more information: www.WhateverManOnstage.com or www.nymf.org.

Photo Credit: Julian Rad

Paolo Montalban, Kristin Maloney and Colin Hanlon