Cast Announced For New York Developmental Reading Of 57 BUS

The full cast has been announced for the developmental reading of the new musical 57 BUS by RYAN M. LUEVANO and JILL HOFFMANN, which will be held in New York City on Monday February 24th at 7pm. The reading will take place at The Growing Studios, Studio 2 (344 West 38th Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10018 - b/w 8th and 9th avenues).

EMILY KRAMM will star as Skylar Peterson and Jordan Crawford as John Michael. They will be joined by ANDREW WOOD as Tucker, Patrick Steven Bovo as Jules, Maggie McNeil as Fran Peterson, James Parks as Steve Peterson, Dana Scurlock as Gloria, and LACEY TUCKER as Irene.

The reading will be directed by JUSTIN BRAUNand music direction will be by Bryan Blaskie.

For more information on this reading and the project, please visit www.57busmusical.com.

57 BUS is inspired by a true event that took place on a bus in Oakland, California in 2013, when an 18-year-old agender high school student's skirt was set on fire by another student. The musical explores how the lives of these two children are changed forever. After being the victim of this "hate crime" Skylar is left to decide if the cost of self-expression in an intolerant world is worth the freedom of living as your true self. By re-evaluating Skylar's own pursuit for self-expression, they learn more about themselves and discover what they must do to find the path to healing.

The other student, John Michael, is seen as an attacker, however, given his background, and ultimate fate by the court, audiences must determine if he is perhaps also a victim. In the end, John Michael must decide to accept the consequences of his actions and find a way to rise against society's expectations and emerge out of his circumstances better than before.

BIOGRAPHIES

EMILY KRAMM (SKYLAR)

Emily (she/her/hers) is an actor/writer based in NYC. She received her BM in Music Theatre from Florida State University and moved to the city shortly after to pursue a career in theatre and collaborate on new works.

Jordan Crawford (John Michael)

Jordan Crawford is an professional dancer/choreographer, singer-songwriter, and actor. He has recently graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy with a degree in Dance Theatre.

ANDREW WOOD (TUCKER)

Andrew Wood is an actor/singer who recently graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a BA in Musical Theater. Theatre credits: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical National Tour (Danny Who).

Patrick Steven Bovo (JULES)

Patrick Steven Bovo is so excited to bring 57 Bus to NYC. Previous NYC new works credits include: Louie/Ensemble in "Aussie Song" (Hudson Guild), Ralphie in "Sgt Stubby..." (St. Luke's Theatre), Troupe Member in "Eleanor: A Musical Fantasy" (Cherry Lane Theatre). Love to my family.

Maggie McNeil (FRAN)

Maggie (she/her) is so happy to help tell this story. Previous work has included regional theatres, David Geffen Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and others. Boston College grad. Learn more at www.maggiemcneil.com and @maggiemcneil

James Parks (STEVE)

James is most recently seen in Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody, James Parks (he/him/his) has performed all over NYC creating roles in new musicals, and he is so excited to be taking part in 57 Bus. James has toured nationally (Sound of Music, Pinkalicious) and recorded numerous demos and cast recordings. www.thejamesparks.com @TheJamesParks

Dana Scurlock GLORIA)

Dana is an actress, singer and voice-over artist born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She recently starred Mary Ann in Abduction for NYMF and Effie White in the NY premiere of Alien vs. Musical. Other Off-Broadway credits include I Carry Your Heart (59E59) Endangered! The Musical (The Davenport) and One Nation, One Mission, One Promise (Players Theatre). Dana's television work includes a role in Season 2 of The Deuce on HBO, as well as providing the voice of "Flutter" on the hit Nickelodeon cartoon, Nella the Princess Knight.

LACEY TUCKER (IRENE)

Lacey Tucker is a New Yawker cawfee tawker with a dog named Henry Hudson. Her part in 57 Bus is perfect because she's, wait for it, a former lawyer. She's excited and grateful to work with this wonderful team. laceytucker.com @laceyetucker

JUSTIN BRAUN (DIRECTOR)

Justin Braun is a NYC-based director who recently directed the Memphis premiere of Be More Chill. He holds an MFA in directing from the University of Memphis.

Bryan Blaskie (MUSICAL DIRECTOR)

Bryan is a composer and music director from Columbus, Ohio and a graduate of NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. His musical Assistants, co-written with Apex Legends and Titanfall 2's Manny Hagopian, ran Off-Broadway in 2019 at The Players Theatre. Winner of the ASCAP Max Dreyfus Scholarship, Arthur Judson Prize in music, and multiple music direction awards.

MORE ABOUT THE CREATORS

RYAN LUEVANO (BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS)

Ryan Luévano is a professional music director, composer, writer, and musicologist. His first musical, Shoot Ma!was produced at the Colony Theater in Burbank (2010) and his second musical Experience Magic!was produced at the Sierra Madre Playhouse (2011). Additionally, he is a professor of music at Santa Ana College, Rio Hondo College, a teaching artist at A Noise Within Theatre Company and a proud member on the Dramatists Guild of America. When he's not creating theatre, he pens as a theater critic for his blog Tin Pan L.A. (www.tinpanla.com).

JILL HOFFMAN (LYRICS)

Jill Hoffmann is a Chicago native singer/songwriter who has penned countless songs in various genres including Pop, Folk, Country, R&B, and Rock. She graduated from Indiana University in Arts Management and after 5 years of working in music management, she has decided to give her full attention to her creative endeavors. Jill is in the studio working on her debut EP as well as collaborating with up and coming songwriters and producers to further expand her music catalogue.

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