Claybourne Elder, Andrew Samonsky, and More Set for York Theatre Company's MUSICALS IN MUFTI

York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) has announced principal casting for the remaining three musicals in its Winter 2013 Musicals in Mufti Series: Hollywood Pinafore (March 1-3, 2013), Happy Hunting (March 15-17, 2013), and Silk Stockings (March 22-24, 2013) at York Theatre Company at its home in Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

York Theatre Company's acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series of musical theatre gems, in a simply-staged, book-in-hand concert format, has presented over 80 shows from the past in its nineteen-year history. Mufti means: "in street clothes, without the trappings associated with the original productions."

The Winter 2013 Musicals in Mufti series continues with Hollywood Pinafore, with book & lyrics by George S. Kaufman and music by Sir Arthur Sullivan. Directed by Marc Kaufman and with music direction by Beth Falcone, the principal cast features Susan Bloomaert, Clybourne Elder, Sara Jean Ford, Tom Galantich, David Schramm and Mary Stout. Hollywood Pinafore was originally produced in 1945. Performances are scheduled for March 1 - 3, 2013. Additional casting to be announced shortly.

The third musical in the Series will be Happy Hunting, with book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, lyrics by Matt Dubey and music by Harold Karr. David Glenn Armstrong directs with music direction by Aaron Gandy. Opening on Broadway in 1956, the principal casting will feature KLea Blackhurst, with Jack Adams, Ward Billeisen, Joy Franz, Jessica Grové, Seán Martin Hingston, Andrew Samonsky, and Lynne Wintersteller. Performances are scheduled for March 15-17, 2013. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Closing out the series is Silk Stockings, with a book by George S. Kaufman, Leueen MacGrath & Abe Burrows (as adapted by Stuart Ross), music and lyrics by Cole Porter with stage direction by Stuart Ross. The original production was produced in 1955. The principal cast will feature Stephen DeRosa, Erick Devine and Michael Kostroff. Performances are set for March 22 -24, 2013. Further casting to be announced.

Launching the series is Two By Two, with book by Peter Stone, lyrics by Martin Charnin and music by the famed Richard Rodgers. It features Jason Alexander and Tovah Feldshuh. Directed by Mr. Charnin and with music direction by Christopher McGovern, the cast will feature Frank Calamaro, Natalie Cortez, Claybourne Elder, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Josh Tower. Two by Two was originally produced in 1970. The limited engagement plays 5 performances only, February 15 - 17, 2013.

The legendary composer Richard Rodgers entered his seventh decade of writing for the theatre with Broadway's 1970 Two by Two starring Danny Kaye. The story of Noah and the Ark is a musical adaptation of Clifford Odets' play The Flowering Peach and is retold with Noah and his family characterized in modern Jewish vernacular. It seems that the building of the ark was only the first of Noah's many daunting challenges in a journey that wasn't always smooth sailing. By turns inspirational and hilarious, it's good fun from The Good Book and when the land has dried, man and beast alike are invited to go forth and prosper in a bright New World. Lyricist Martin Charnin directs this production with a revised book by Peter Stone and featuring one of Richard Rodgers' most touching--and least known--scores.

The performance schedule for each presentation is: Fridays at 8:00 p.m., *Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and *Sundays at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. (*Audience discussions follow all matinee performances).

Tickets are priced at $39.50 and are available online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's (enter on 54th Street, just East of Lexington), Monday through Friday (12-6 PM). A special "Musical in Mufti" Three Show Package is available for a discounted price of $110.

For additional information on Musicals in Mufti, please visit www.yorktheatre.org.

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 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 The 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 Closer Than Ever, Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.