Cast Announced For York Theater's Reading Series

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) is thrilled to announce casting for three presentations in the 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 series coordinator Jeff Landsman at jlandsman@yorktheatre.org or calling 212-935-5824 x24. Upcoming readings include:

GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK
Monday, February 2, 2009 • 3:00 PM; Thursday, February 5, 2009 • 3:00 PM

BOOK BY MELBA THOMAS, MUSIC BY David Friedman, LYRICS BY Muriel RobinSON
The cast of Goodbye and Good Luck will feature MaryEllen Ashley, Jonathan Brody (Spamalot, Titanic), Janet Carol, David Green, Sam Guncler (The Gathering), Joe Kolinski, Lynda Rodolitz, Sheri Sanders, Neva Small (Something's Afoot), and Gary Wright.

COCO
BOOK AND LYRICS BY ALAN J. LERNER, MUSIC BY ANDRE PREVIN,
REVISED BOOK BY Richard Sabellico
Monday, February 9, 2009 • 3:00 PM

The cast of Coco will star Tony nominee and Drama Desk winner Isabel Keating (The Boy from Oz, Hairspray) as Coco and feature James Donegan (I Prefer to Dream), Warren Kelley, John Scherer (Lovemusik, Sunset Boulevard), Daniel Spiotta (Pirates!, Papermill) and Billy Wheelan (Our Leading Lady, MTC).

THE ROAD TO QATAR!
A True New Musical Comedy
Thursday, February 19, 2009 • 3:00 PM

BOOK AND LYRICS BY Stephen Cole, MUSIC BY David Krane,
The cast of Road to Qatar will feature Drama Desk nominee Ed Dixon (Sunday in the Park with George, The Grinch), Valerie Fagan (Forbidden Broadway), Drama Desk nominee Jason Graae (A Grand Night for Singing, Falsettos) and David Hibbard (Spamalot, Cats).

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. For almost 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 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. Almost 30 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals - The Musical!, Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.

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 to the public. Producing Artistic Director James Morgan said, "These readings give writers a unique opportunity to get audience feedback while a show is still in progress, giving 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 current 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.

· GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK
Monday, February 2, 2009 • 3:00 PM; Thursday, February 5, 2009 • 3:00 PM
BOOK BY MELBA THOMAS, MUSIC BY David Friedman, LYRICS BY Muriel RobinSON

· COCO
BOOK AND LYRICS BY ALAN J. LERNER, MUSIC BY ANDRE PREVIN,
REVISED BOOK BY Richard Sabellico
Monday, February 9, 2009 • 3:00 PM

· THE ROAD TO QATAR!
Thursday, February 19, 2009 • 3:00 PM
BOOK AND LYRICS BY Stephen Cole, MUSIC BY David Krane,

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