Andy Monroe and Amanda Yesnowitz Headline NYTB's New Works Series, 7/21

The July installment of New York Theatre Barn's New Works Series features selections from new musicals written by Andy Monroe (The Kid) and Amanda Yesnowitz (the Broadway bound Somehwere in Time), on Monday, July 21, 2014 at 7:30pm at the Daryl Roth Theatre's D-Lounge. The monthly New Works Series, now in its 7th year at the Daryl Roth Theatre, is the core of New York Theatre Barn's new work development process for emerging writers and new musicals.

She Tells Me: The Bossy Lyrics of Amanda Yesnowitz, features music by Brad Alexander (See Rock City and Other Destinations), Doug Katsaros (Diamonds, A...My Name is Alice), Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer), Steve Marzullo, and Chris Hajian. With sass to spare, the witty work of this first-class storyteller never fails to beguile. This modern day Cole Portress has become an open secret in New York City: her songs are definitively timely and timeless. Musical direction is by Andrew Sotomayer, and will feature Brendan McGrady, Lorinne Lampert, Trista Doll, and Amanda Yesnowitz.

Mostly Solos: The Songs of Andy Monroe will feature Bill Coyne, Laura Daniel Koch, Robbie Fowler, Deborah Grausman (Fiddler on the Roof, National Tour), David Marshall, Courtney Shaw, and Tom Stuart. Featuring songs from many of his shows (including his Jerry Bock Award-winning musical, Drive) along with stand-alone gems and little-heard specialty material, Monroe's new concert shines a spotlight on the solo performer. Seven singers take turns at the mic, delivering songs that are funny, poignant, and brimming with humanity.

The D-Lounge is located at the Daryl Roth Theatre (101 East 15th St., basement level). For tickets and more information, visit www.nytheatrebarn.org.

ABOUT AMANDA YESNOWITZ

Amanda Yesnowitz is a Jonathan Larson Award recipient, a former Dramatists Guild fellow, a 7-time MAC Award nominee, a 2011 John Wallowitch Award finalist, and the winner of the 2013 Dottie Burman Award, all for excellence in songwriting. Last fall Amanda performed her work at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage. Current projects include an adaptation of the novel/film Somewhere in Time (Davenport Theatrical, music by Doug Katsaros), which had its pre-Broadway production at Portland Center Stage in May of 2013 (7 PAMTA nominations; NAMT finalist). Amanda (along with David Zippel and Sheldon Harnick) is also contributing lyrics to In the Name of Love, a revue with music by Don Oliver. She has collaborated with many other illustrious composers including Larry O'Keefe, Skip Kennon, Brad Ross, Matthew Sklar, and Jason Robert Brown. Other works include The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Hangar Theatre world premiere), The History of War (O'Neill Conference finalist; 2010 NYMF invited selection; music by Deborah Abramson, book by Chip "The Baker" Zien), By The Numbers (ASCAP and TRU showcases, music by Brian Feinstein), Four-Letter Words (York Theatre), Triptych(Provincetown Play Festival; ATB Flores Series), and Building a Wing (Best Musical at 2007 Short, Sweet & Song Festival in Sydney).

ABOUT ANDY MONROE

Andy Monroe wrote the music, lyrics, and book for Drive (2014 Jerry Bock Award winner) as well as music for The Kid (lyrics by Jack Lechner, book by Michael Zam), produced at The New Group, 2010 (2010 Outer Critics Circle Award winner, 2009 BMI Foundation Jerry Bock Award winner). The Kid's authors were also awarded a Jonathan Larson Grant in 2011. With Jack Lechner, he wrote a song for Rosie O'Donnell's 2010 HBO documentary, "A Family Is A Family Is A Family". He also wrote the score for The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun (Book and additional lyrics by Blair Fell, 2006 New York Musical Theater Festival). He is the author of four musical shorts, The Life and Times of Joe Jefferson Benjamin Blow, Sally Peaches, Elevator Music, and La Rhonda. He was the recipient of the 2001 BMI Foundation Jerry Harrington Musical Theater Award and was a 2007-8 Dramatist Guild Fellow.

ABOUT NEW YORK THEATRE BARN

New York Theatre Barn is a 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre company founded in 2007 and dedicated to developing and producing new musicals that tell untold stories while innovating and practicing artistic process. Past Projects include: Michele Brourman/Sheilah Rae/Thomas Edward West's all-female musical I Married Wyatt Earp co-produced Off-Broadway @ 59E59 Theaters with Prospect Theater Company, the multi-composer musical Hot Mess in Manhattan, the award-winning solo play Child of Hungry Times, Marisa Michelson & Joshua H. Cohen's Tamar of the River Oratorio with Choral Chameleon, Supersoldier by HAIR co-creator Jim Rado and in collaboration with Fundamental Theater Project, and numerous readings and workshops including Adam Gwon's Ordinary Days and Brian Feinstein/Robin Moyer Chung's Big Fat Cat starring Bruce Vilanch.Additional programming includes The Choreography Lab, and the annual Master Class Series, headlined in past years by living legends Barry Manilow and Rupert Holmes and hosted by New York Post columnist Michael Riedel.In Development: NYTB's first original commission Small Town Story (by Sammy Buck and Brandon James Gwinn), and The Boy Who Danced On Air (by Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne). Both shows are the recipient of a NAMT Writers Residency Grant.