Amas' Free Staged Readings of New Frida Kahlo Musical Begin Today

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff/Artistic Producer) will present three free staged readings of "FRIDA" a new musical by Michael Aman and Dana P. Rowe, directed by Maria Torres. The readings will take place on Friday, October 25th at 6:00pm, and Saturday, October 26th at 3:00pm and 7:00pm at The Theatre at the 14th Street Y, 314 East 14th Street. Tickets are free and reservations are available via email at boxoffice@amasmusical.org or by calling 212-563-2565.

The cast stars Natalie Toro as Frida (A Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserables), Danny Bolero as Diego Rivera (In the Heights), with Elizabeth Acosta, Aymee Garcia (Shrek, Avenue Q), Felipe Gonzalez (A Chorus Line), Ricardo Puente (Four Guys Named Jose), Renoly Santiago (Dangerous Minds), Veronica Vasquez-Jackson, Vanessa Vergua, and Lauren Wiley.

"Frida" explores elements of the life and work of the groundbreaking artist Frida Kahlo, whose career was shaped by a near-fatal accident in her youth and influenced greatly by the celebrated muralist Diego Rivera, with whom she shared a tempestuous marriage. Since her passing her work has achieved an iconic stature that celebrates not only Mexican folk culture and European surrealism, but her triumph over adversity both as an artist and as a woman.

"Frida Kahlo has emerged as one of the protean figures of 20th Century art," says Amas Artistic Producer Donna Trinkoff. ""Frida, the Musical", weaves magical realism with a Latin pop score to explore how the key events and relationships in her life shaped her identity and her art."

Dana P. Rowe (music) is an American composer whose musical theater works have been performed internationally with commercial productions in New York City, London's West End Russia, Czech Republic, Japan (including Tokyo's Imperial Garden Theatre), Germany, Australia and Sao Paulo, Brazil. With lyricist, John Dempsey, he wrote the music for Off-Broadway's Zombie Prom, The Fix (directed in London at the Donmar Warehouse by Oscar winning director, Sam Mendes), a stage adaptation of John Updike's The Witches of Eastwick,The Reluctant Dragon, an operetta for children based on Kenneth Grahame's story and Brother Russia, which, like both The Fix and The Witches of Eastwick, premiered in the US directed by Eric Schaeffer at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. Rowe and Dempsey received Olivier Award nominations for The Fix and The Witches of Eastwick, both of which were produced in London by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. Dana collaborated with Maribeth Graham to write See Jane Run! which premiered in Miami at the Actors' Playhouse and composed the score for The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde, with book and lyrics by Michael Aman and Oscar E. Moore. Dana received the Dean's Award for Excellence in the Arts from Ohio State University..

Michael Aman (book and lyrics) His play The Unbleached American is receiving its world premiere at Stoneham Theatre in April of 2014. It won best play of 2012 for the African American Playwrights' Exchange (AAPEX). He wrote the book and lyrics for Becoming Tennessee (Richard Rodgers Award finalist 2009). He co-wrote the book for The Piper (with Grammy winning songwriter Marcus Hummon). His play + (POZ) is slated for its premiere in the summer of 2014. His comedy Step Three was a semi-finalist for the 2011 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. He co-wrote the book and lyrics for The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde (2005 NYMF). He also co-wrote the book for Let Me Sing! A Musical Evolution (George Street Playhouse; Charlotte Repertory Theatre). Michael has a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Masters in Dramaturgy.

Maria Torres (Director) is an acclaimed performer, choreographer and director with extensive experience in the theater, film, and television. On and Off-Broadway, Maria's co-director, co-choreographer credits include Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz" and eight time billboard winner Don Omar, "Kings of Kings" US Tour. Maria has worked with Diane Paulas on The Donkey Show, Best of Both Worlds, "The Women's Project", and "Disney's Golden Mickey's". She choreographed Four Guys Named Jose, which was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award for best choreography. As a performer, Maria starred on Broadway in Swing! and on the big screen in "Dance with Me," starring Vanessa Williams. Maria choreographed the video for Enrique Iglesias hit single Bailamos and the International Dance TV show "Quiero Bailar". Maria was the on-camera guest choreographer on the hit show "So You Think You Can Dance" and has worked for MTV, NBC, HBO, BBC and Walt Disney. She recently worked with John Leguizamo and trained Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams in Disney's "Enchanted", She has choreographed Jennifer Lopez in "El Cantante", and Raven Simone in "College Road Trip". Maria's choreography can also been seen in the upcoming Movie "The Six Wives Henry Le Fay" starring Tim Allen, Andie McDowell, Jenna Elfman, Epatha Merkerson and Paz Vega.

The presentations are part of the ongoing Amas Musical Theatre Lab, a development series for writers, lyricists and composers to mount public readings of their new musicals. The Amas Musical Theatre Lab is supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and by the Actors' Equity Association Foundation, the BMI Foundation, the Barbara Bell Cummings Foundation, the Dramatists Guild, the Lucille Lortel Foundation, the Frederick S. Loewe Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, and through the generous support of many individuals.