Adam Chanler-Berat and Douglas Sills Lead York's MY FAVORITE YEAR This Weekend

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, concludes the Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series with the first New York revival and world premiere of a new re-imagined version of the 1992 musical, My Favorite Year, with book by Joseph Dougherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty, based on the motion picture by Dennis Palumbo and Norman Steinberg. The limited engagement of My Favorite Year will play 5 performances only this weekend, December 5-7, 2014 at The York Theatre Company's home at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Directed by Daniel Knechtges (Xanadu), and with music direction by David Holcenberg, the 14- member cast will feature Tony® Award-nominee Douglas Sills (The Scarlet Pimpernel) as Alan Swann, Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Benjy Stone, Rose Hemingway (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) as K.C. Downing, Richard Kind (The Producers) as King Kaiser, Leslie Kritzer (A Catered Affair) as Alice Miller, Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Ragtime) as Herb Lee, with Bree Branker, Joy Hermalyn, Francis Jue, Daniel Marcus, Barbara Marineau, Christine Pedi, Emily Walton, and Thom Sesma who has replaced the previously announced Nick Wyman. The creative team also includes Brian Nason (lighting) and Geoff Josselson (casting director). The Production Stage Manager is Kimothy Cruse.

After landing his dream job as a writer's assistant on the 1954 season of the "King Kaiser Comedy Hour," young Benjy Stone finds himself pressed into service as a caretaker for guest star Alan Swann, a legendary swashbuckling movie star - and party animal. Their adventures take them from the television studio to a wild night on the town in this new version of the show that includes changes to the structure and book as well as several new songs, in this world premiere presentation as part of the Musicals in Mufti series.

The York Theatre Company's acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series of musical theatre gems, in a simply-staged, book-in-hand concert format, marks its twentieth historic year with the celebration of its 101st presentation of shows from the past. Mufti means: "in street clothes, without the trappings of a full production."

The schedule for My Favorite Year will return to the York's more traditional Mufti format of only 5 performances: Friday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 6 at *2:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 7 at *2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (*audience discussions follow the matinee performances). Tickets are priced at $45 and are available online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Monday through Friday (12-6 PM).

The Fall 2014 Musicals in Mufti Series launched with Big with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., and music by David Shire (October 11-19) that was directed by Michael Unger, with music direction by Eric Svejcar. The cast featured John Tartaglia and Kerry Butler, with Elainey Bass, Whitney Brandt, Trista Dollison, Liam Forde, Tom Lucca, James Ludwig, Rhyn McLemore, Janet Metz, Julianna Rigoglioso, Jeremy Shinder and Hayden Wall, followed by A Time for Singing with book & lyrics by Gerald Freedman & John Morris, and music by John Morris (October 25-November 2). It was directed by Michael Montel, his 20th Mufti production, with music direction by is Dale Rieling. The cast featured Glenn Seven Allen, Wilson Bridges, Dylan Boyd, Preston Truman Boyd, Madeleine Doherty, Steve French, Ben Gunderson, Gus Halper, Joe Kolinski, Sara Killough, Analisa Leaming, Barbara Marineau, Brian Murray, and Gordon Stanley. Celebrating the 100th Mufti presentation was Saturday Night with book by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein, and music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (November 8-16), directed by Stafford Arima, with music supervision by Paul Gemignani. The cast featured Matthew Bauman, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Ben Fankhauser, Jeremy Greenbaum, Olli Haaskivi, Michael Thomas Holmes, Greg Kamp, Jared Loftin, Lindsay Mendez, Kenita Miller, Lance Roberts, Matthew Scott, Margo Seibert, Jim Stanek, and Dana Steingold.

The winter season at The York continues with the first of two Main Stage productions: Texas in Paris, a musical play with spirituals, cowboy songs, and country hymns, written by Alan Govenar, featuring Tony Award-winner Lillias White (January 27, 2015 - March 1, 2015), followed by the long awaited Off-Broadway premiere of Harold and Maude, An Intimate Musical, based on the film by Colin Higgins, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Joseph Thalkin (April 28, 2015 - May 31, 2015).

York Theatre Company offers the 54th Street Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $54.00 - with elite benefits that includes a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions (2 per membership), exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member only receptions.

York Memberships and single tickets 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.

Photo Credit: Alexander Kaufman