A musical version of Alexandre Dumas' The Man in the Iron Mask--not to be confused with the unsuccessful show of the same name that shuttered in London this August--will feature The Woman in White's Ron Bohmer in an Equity staged reading that will be held on February 13th, 2006. The reading of the musical swashbuckler will be presented at the Lamb's Theatre (130 W. 44th St.) at 7 PM.
While complete casting has not yet been announced, Richard Roland (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Follies) will also perform in the reading, which features music by Jeffrey
Campos and book and lyrics by Shad Olsen. The Man in the Iron Mask will be directed by Brian Swasey and feature musical direction by Phillip Kirchman.
"The Man in the Iron Mask follows the story of Philippe, a
sheltered boy who has grown up in exile because he is the identical
twin to the king of France," according to the creators. "As a second
heir to the kingdom, he is considered a threat by the king and locked
into an iron mask to conceal his identity. The Three Musketeers, now
retired from duty, reunite to save Philippe and overthrow the
tyrannical king. In the short course of the mission, Philippe
experiences the world that has been kept from him, and he rises above
it as a man worthy of the crown," state press notes.
Bohmer was previously seen on Broadway in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Fiddler on the Roof, and Les Miserables; he currently plays Sir Percival Glyde in The Woman in White.
A previous reading of the first act of The Man in the Iron Mask was presented in New York in May. Since then, the writers of the show have been sharpening the piece, aiming for "the action and sweep of the cinematic renditions," according to notes.
For more information on the musical, e-mail
ironmaskreading@aol.com.