A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME and EMMA to Make NYC Debuts in York Theatre Company's 47th Season

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the line-up for its 47th anniversary season at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The 2016-2017 season will include the New York premieres of two new musicals: A Taste of Things to Come and Emma. The acclaimed "Musicals in Mufti" Series takes a look at musicals from the past: Milk and Honey, Dear World, and a third to be announced shortly. And, the return of the "New2NY" Series will bring two new musicals, How to Be an American! and Mark Felt, Superstar.

Special events throughout the season will include The 25th Annual Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala; the second annual Winter Intensive for College Students, part of The York's Musical Theatre Training Program that trains and inspires young performers; a benefit Spring Concert Celebration Honoring James Morgan, commemorating his 20th Anniversary as York Producing Artistic Director; the ever popular Developmental

Reading Series happening throughout the year, and more. The York will also present the Marymount Manhattan College production of the musical Love's Labour's Lost.

The launch of the 2016-2017 season in September opens with the return of the New2NY Series and the new musicalHow to Be an American!, a political cabaret. Tammany Trumps Truth! Real life lecture on Honest Graft, Dishonest Graft, and the American Way! Featuring songs from the early 20th Century American Songbook adapted by T. Cat Ford, with direction by Bill Castellino (Cagney, Storyville), and music direction by Satomi Hoffman. Performances are set to begin September 17, 2016 for a limited run through September 25, 2016.

In November, the first mainstage production of the season will inaugurate the newly renovated York Theater space - new seats, new carpeting, new look - with the New York premiere of the musical A Taste of Things to Come, with book, music and lyrics by Debra Barsha (Radiant Baby) and Hollye Levin (Funny Business), with an original concept by Hollye Levin, and direction and choreography by Lorin Latarro (Waitress). Winnetka, Illinois, 1950s. Smack dab in the middle of America, four women enter a Betty Crocker cooking contest in the hopes of changing their lives. Little do they know that it's a recipe for disaster-one that will set off a chain reaction that will change their lives forever. When they reunite ten years later, they are very different people in a very different world-but can they still be as close as they once were? In an age when the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they'll discover that the way to a woman's heart is through her best friends. A Taste of Things to Come is presented in association with Staci Levine and What's Cookin' LLC. Performances are set to begin November 9, 2016 for a limited engagement through December 11, 2016.

The York season continues into the new year with the second New2NY Series production of the new musical Mark Felt, Superstar with book, music and lyrics by Joshua Rosenblum (Fermat's Last Tango). Though his name is little known today, Mark Felt was the retired FBI man who revealed in 2005 that he had been Deep Throat, the secret source for journalists Woodward and Bernstein during the Watergate scandal. Deep Throat's identity was the greatest political mystery of all time and Felt's story is thrilling, heartbreaking, and funny in equal parts. Mark Felt, Superstar is a whimsical and unexpectedly touching musical romp through Watergate and its aftermath from Deep Throat's unique perspective. A limited engagement is slated for January 2017.

The winter season continues with the acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series, which has played host to over 100 productions of simply-staged concert readings of musical theater gems from the past. The series this year includes a second look at the new musicals Milk and Honey, with book by Don Appell (A Girl Could Get Lucky) and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!), January 28, 2017 - February 5, 2017; Dear World, with book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (Mame), and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles), February 25, 2017- March 5, 2017; and a third production to be announced shortly that is set to play February 11-19, 2017. "Mufti" means "in street clothes, without the trappings associated with a full production."

The York welcomes the spring with a Spring Concert Celebration Honoring James Morgan commemorating his 20th anniversary as York Producing Artistic Director. The special one-night only benefit concert is set for Monday, April 3, 2017.

The 2016-17 mainstage season continues with the New York premiere of Emma, a musical romance, with music, lyrics and book by Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre), adapted from the novel by Jane Austen. Emma Woodhouse is one of Jane Austen's most delightful heroines, an effervescent ingénue whose matchmaking mischief inevitably misfires. Obsessed with romance but clueless about her own feelings, Emma navigates the course of true love with a generous heart and an indomitable spirit. A record-breaking success in earlier productions in California, Cincinnati and St. Louis, this funny, irresistible musical features a glorious score by the Tony Award-nominated composer of Jane Eyre and Daddy Long Legs. Performances are set to begin April 25, 2017 for a limited engagement through May 28, 2017.

"We could not be more excited to announce these highlights of our own 47th season," said York Producing Artistic Director James Morgan. "There will be more announced soon." He went on to add, "We encourage patrons to become York Members and avail themselves of all the perks involved that include discounts and special events throughout the year."

Special events throughout the season will include The 25th Annual Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala, December 5, 2016; the second annual Winter Intensive for College Students, part of The York's Musical Theatre Training Program that trains and inspires young performers, January 9-21, 2017; and the Marymount Manhattan College presentation, in association with The York Theatre Company and its continuing education program, presentation of the musical Love's Labour's Lost, with book by Alex Timbers (Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson) and music & lyrics byMichael Friedman (The Fortress of Solitude), March 22-26, 2017.

York Theatre Company offers the York! Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $75.00 - with elite benefits that includes a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions, exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member-only receptions. The York also offers a York Plus! Membership Program with additional perks, including complimentary tickets to Mainstage productions and invites to several VIP-only presentations throughout the season.

York Memberships can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by visiting the York Theatre Company Box Office (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), or by calling the Box Office at (212) 935-5820 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

For additional information, visit www.yorktheatre.org.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City - and one of very few in the world - dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused on new musicals in its Mainstage Series - most of them world, American, or New York premieres - by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 35 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, including its acclaimed revival of Closer Than Ever (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival); commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and Jolson & Company, and revivals of Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. Recent hits have included Rothschild and Sons, Plaid Tidings and Cagney, starring Robert Creighton as James Cagney and the original York Cast, currently playing to sold-out houses at the Westside Theatre.