Ayers, Halling, LaCause and Lemonides Cast In York Theatre Company's SPIRITS Reading Held 7/14

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) announces casting for Spirits, the next offering in its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series. As always, these readings are open to the general public and admission is free, but reservations are suggested and can be obtained by e-mailing Reading Series Coordinator Jeff Landsman at jlandsman@yorktheatre.org or calling 212-935-5824 x24.

Spirits
Book by Reyn Guyer and Jeff Harrington
Music by Jeff Harrington; Lyrics by Reyn Guyer
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 • 3 PM

The cast of Spirits will feature Becca Ayers (South Pacific), Michael Halling (A Tale of Two Cities), Sebastian LaCause (The Rocky Horror Show) and Vanessa Lemonides (York's Musicals in Mufti; Oh, Boy!).

A violent crime affects more than just the victim in the original musical drama Spirits, where six people are drawn together one night to try and break a cycle of violence and revenge.

The York Theatre Company was nominated for five 2009 Drama Desk Awards, four 2009 Lucille Lortel Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Drama League Awards for its productions of Enter Laughing, The Musical and My Vaudeville Man! last season. York Theatre Company is one of the only companies in the city committed to developing and producing new Musical Theatre Works and rediscovering musical gems from the past. Winner of a special Drama Desk Award for developing and producing new musical theatre, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike for almost four decades. Under the guidance of Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively 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.

Each year, York's Developmental Reading Series presents between 30 to 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors, all free of charge and open to the public. Producing Artistic Director James Morgan says, "These readings give writers a unique opportunity to get audience feedback while a show is still in progress and gives audiences an active role in the creative process." York's productions of Souvenir and The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) were first developed in the Developmental Reading Series, where the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q also made early appearances. The Developmental Reading Series is made possible in part through a generous donation from The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 • 3 PM
THE York Theatre Company in Saint Peter's Church
54th Street Just East of Lexington
E or V train to Lexington Avenue or 6 train to 51st Street

The York Theater Company
619 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
www.yorktheatre.org

Photo credit Walter McBride