Adam Chanler-Berat, Kerry Butler and Alex Gemignani to Lead THE DOGS OF PRIPYAT Reading, 9/10-11

Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher, Next to Normal), Kerry Butler (Xanadu, Catch Me If You Can) and Alex Gemignani (Chicago, Assassins) will star in an upcoming staged reading of The Dogs of Pripyat Tuesday, September 10th and Wednesday, September 11th. The Dogs of Pripyat features music by Aron Accurso (Assoc. Conductor: Aladdin, Sister Act), lyrics by Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella), and book by Leah Napolin and Abramovitz.

The cast also includes Lisa Howard (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Becca Ayers (The Addams Family), Gwen Hollander (Little Women), William Ryall (Anything Goes), Jim Brochu (Zero Hour), Jeffrey Schecter (Nice Work If You Can Get It), and Kay Walbye (Urinetown).

A synopsis of the piece: in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, citizens of the nearby town of Pripyat are forced to evacuate, leaving behind their homes, their lives, and their beloved pets. The Dogs of Pripyat is the story of the dogs left behind.

When a gentle mutt named Boychik is left pining for his masters' return, a corrupt Rottweiler takes control and Boychik must learn to hunt, kill, and, ultimately, decide what kind of dog he will become. Inspired by true events, The Dogs of Pripyat is a story of hope and survival when they seem least possible.

The Dogs of Pripyat received the 2013 Jerry Bock Award, chosen by Sheldon Harnick, and the Weston Playhouse New Musical Award, which included a concert at the Weston Playhouse and a demo produced by Kurt Deutch and Sh-K-Boom Records. The piece has been presented and developed at the BMI Workshop (where Jill and Aron received Jerry Harrington Awards), NAMT Festival, the Dramatists Guild Fellowship Program led by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Bound for Broadway at Merkin Hall, The University of Miami, and Goodspeed's Festival of New Artists.

The reading will be directed by Obie award-winning director Evan Yionoulis, with musical direction by Brad Haak (Mary Poppins).

For more information, contact producers Emily DaSilva and Lina Renzina by email at pripyatmusical@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride