Tony-Winning Producer Sues Over Elusive POP NATION Musical

Tony-winning producer Allan Gordon has sued the party behind a PRODUCERS-level scam involving the new musical POP NATION.

According to the New York Daily News, Gordon gave $100,000 toward the project, which was announced in 2014 but was postponed, and then never opened.

Producer and director Anthony Cantalupo, against whom Gordon has filed papers in Manhattan Supreme Court, allegedly failed to raise the full $2.9 million goal stipulated when Gordon chose to invest. Gordon claims Cantalupo "was unable to account for how he spent his investors' cash on a musical that he said could be called 'Flop.'"

Cantalupo has not released an official statement on the lawsuit.

POP NATION, described as "a theatrical social event merging music, theater and the nightclub experience," was slated to open in January 2015 after a short delay. A press representative explained the postponement back in Fall 2014, saying "mounting the massive production has taken longer than expected." The company performed in concert at 54 Below in November of that year.

Set in the 90s, when iconic boy bands and pop princesses ruled the airwaves, POP NATION would have featured original music and lyrics by Damon Intrabartolo (bare, "Superman Returns," "X Men 2") and book by Kenny Finkle (Indoor/Outdoor). AMERICAN IDOL's Anthony Fedorov had been tapped for the lead role.

Gordon is a veteran stage producer, having worked with Broadway's RENT, HAIRSPRAY, SPAMALOT, CRY-BABY, BURN THE FLOOR, COME FLY AWAY, AMERICAN IDIOT, EVITA, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, KINKY BOOTS, PIPPIN and AFTER MIDNIGHT, as well as the upcoming tour of ON THE TOWN.