The New York Musical Theatre Festival is pleased to announce the world premiere production of TRAV'LIN by Gary Holmes and Allan Shapiro, with musical direction by John DiPinto and choreographed and directed by Paul Stancato. TRAV'LIN will play a limited engagement at TBG Theatre, (312 West 36th Street, NY, NY 10018). Performances begin Monday, October 11 and continue through Sunday, October 17.
TRAV'LIN follows the romantic travails of three couples, in their 50s, 30s and 20s, learning about love in 1930s Harlem. The tuneful and jazzy period score rediscovers the music of Harlem Renaissance songwriter J.C. Johnson, a friend and colleague of such musical icons as Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters and Billie Holiday. The story centers on George, unofficial mayor of 132nd Street and self-styled expert on love, who meets his match when he befriends a down-on-her-luck stranger who is not who she seems.
The production stars Tony© Nominee Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe's Café-Tony© Nominee Chicago-revival, Dreamgirls, Cats) as Billie, RAndy Donaldson (Tommy Keeler in Annie Get Your Gun, Banzai in The Lion King, Richie in A Chorus Line and Wonderful Town) as Archie, Michael Jean Dozier as Nelson, Doug Eskew (Rev. Avery in The Color Purple, Big Moe in Five Guys Named Moe?NAACP nomination and LA Ovation Award, Truly Blessed) as George, Karla Mosley (TV: Hi-5!) as Ella, and Soara-Joye Ross (Les Miserables, the revival, and Dance of the Vampires) as Ros.
The production features scenic/lighting design by Christopher Ash and costume design by Janell Berté. David M. Beris* (Chita Rivera: The Dancer?s Life; The History Boys) is the stage manager.
Trav'lin plays the following schedule:
Monday, October 11 at 8:00 p.m. (performance not open to critics)
Tuesday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 133 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 15 at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 and are available online at http://www.nymf.org/show-1382.html
Running Time: 2:15 plus intermission
Website: travlinthemusical.com
BIOGRAPHIES
John DiPinto (Musical Director) has worked extensively in the NY theatre scene as a musical director and musician. Broadway credits include: Footloose, [title of show], Laughing Room Only and Victor/ Victoria. Off-Broadway: Langston in Harlem, Nor?mal, Streakin'!, Summer Of '42, Altar Boyz, Make Me A Song, Miracle Brothers, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, A Man Of No Importance, The Best Of Both Worlds and A Good Swift Kick.
Regional musical director credits include The Blackamoor Angel at Bard Summerscape, Songs For A New World at George Street Playhouse, The Honky Tonk Angels at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Are We There Yet? At Queens Theatre in The Park.
As an actor/singer John has appeared in the New York revivals of Oil City Symphony and The Good Doctor, and regionally in Pump Boys And Dinettes, Smoke On The Mountain, King Mackerel And The Blues are Running, Billy Bishop Goes To War and A Day In Hollywood/A Night In The Ukraine. He is currently performing as half of a vocal duo with singer Mary Foster Conklin in their show Maybe It?s Because Of Love in clubs around NYC.
John is also a songwriter and composer. His environmental show Kid Power And The Planet Protectors, for which he composed the music, is currently touring schools across the country.
J. C. Johnson (Composer and Lyricist) arrived in Harlem from Chicago in the 1920s and quickly established his reputation as a composer and lyricist. He co-wrote many numbers with Fats Waller and Andy Razaf individually and as a team, starting with their 1937 hit The Joint Is Jumpin. Among his other collaborators were George Whiting, Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson and Langston Hughes.
