Brad Oscar, Beth Leavel, et al. Set for York Theatre Company Reading Series

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced casting for the next three offerings in its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series: A Doctor in Spite of Himself (February 20), Lunch at the Picadilly (February 22) and The Gig (February 24), featuring Cady Huffman, Beth Leavel, Jose Llana, Jeff McCcarthy, Brad Oscar, Fleur Phillips, Barbara Walsh, and more. All readings are free to the public and will take place at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's on 54th St, just east of Lexington Avenue. For additional information on the Series and to make reservations for any of the upcoming free presentations, visit the readings page at www.yorktheatre.org.

Each year, York's Developmental Reading Series presents between 30 to 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors. Producing Artistic Director James Morgan says, "These readings give writers a unique opportunity to get audience feedback while a show is still in progress." York's past Mainstage productions of Yank!, 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 its first appearances. The Developmental Reading Series is made possible in part by The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Development Reading Series schedule is, as follows:

Monday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m.

A Doctor in Spite of Himself
Book, Music and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Directed by David Glenn Armstrong
Musical Direction by Amanda Morton

The cast features Danny Gardner (Room 17B), Tony-winner Cady Huffman (The Producers), Jose Llana (Falling for Eve at The York, Wonderland), Jeff McCarthy (Urinetown), Tony nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers), Patrick Richwood (Pretty Woman), Alan Safier (Say Goodnight Gracie), Elena Shaddow (La Cage aux Folles) and Joy Hermalyn (Fiddler on the Roof). The reading is directed by David Glenn Armstrong (The Body Beautiful) with music direction by Amanda Morton (Peter and I).

The new musical A Doctor in Spite of Himself with book, music and lyrics by legendary Tony-winner Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me) is based on the classic comedy of manners by Moliere. The timeless story involves a bride-to-be who feigns sickness to avoid her impending marriage and the "doctor" who prescribes the perfect remedy for an uproarious situation.

Wednesday, February 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Lunch at the Picadilly
Book by Clyde Edgerton
Music and Lyrics by Mike Craver
Directed by Steve Umberger
Musical Direction and Choreograpy by Amy Jones

The cast features Mike Craver (Oil City Symphony), Rebecca Koon ("Homeland"), Mary Murfitt (Oil City Symphony), Fleur Phillips (Scapin), Trip Plymale (The Robber Bridegroom) and Trent Rhoton. The reading is directed by Steve Umberger (Hatchetman) with music direction and choreography by Amy Jones (Girls Night, The Musical).

Lunch at the Piccadilly is a new musical about changing the world, one rocking chair at a time. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, this new musical follows the rowdy residents of the Rosehaven Convalesence Center as they ?ght to keep their home in the face of a corporate takeover. With 25 songs of every imaginable style from bluegrass to Broadway, Lunch at the Piccadilly is, as one critic said, "a silly and soulful" salute to all boomers and boomers-to-be.

Friday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m.

The Gig
Recipient of the York Theatre Company Noël Coward Prize
Book, Music and Lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen (No Way to Treat a Lady)
Based on the film by Pulitzer Prize winner Frank D. Gilroy (The Subject Was Roses)
Directed by Igor Goldin
Musical Direction by David Evans

The cast of The Gig features David Beach (Mamma Mia!), Stephen Berger (The Pajama Game), Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys), Alton Fitzgerald White (The Color Purple), Adam Heller (Baby It's You), Philip Hoffman (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever), Tony winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Patti Murin (Lysistrata Jones), Steve Rosen (Guys and Dolls), Steve Routman (La Bête) and Tony nominee Barbara Walsh (Company). The reading is directed by Igor Goldin (Yank!) with music direction by David Evans (Wicked). This presentation of The Gig will feature two new unheard songs. The Gig has been the recipient of the York Theatre Company Noël Coward Prize and the Richard Rodgers Development Grant. Cohen was the recipient of the 2010 Fred Ebb Award.

In The Gig, a used car salesman, a dentist, a real estate agent, a financial advisor, a deli owner and a music teacher who get together once a week to play jazz. It is the highlight of their lives when one answers an ad and gets a two week gig in the Catskills. They shed their ordinary lives and begin an adventure that reveals truths about friendship, the joy of music and the importance of dreams.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City-and one of very few in the world-dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. Over the past two seasons, York productions and artists have been nominated for a combined 19 Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Off-Broadway Alliance, AUDELCO and Callaway Awards (and its productions of Yank! A WWII Love Story and Enter Laughing, The Musical have both been announced for Broadway). For over four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing 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. Over 35 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and its acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.