Creative Team and Cast Members Announced For Three New Musicals at Theatre Now

Theatre Now New York, Thomas Morrissey, artistic director and Chris Giordano, managing director present three musical premiers in rotating rep. Tickets are on sale now to the three new musicals We Have Apples, Thicket & Thistle's What's Your Wish? and Kragtar: An American Monster Musical. Performances run from November 29th through December 17th at the West End Theatre, 263 West 86th Street off West End Avenue in Manhattan. Tickets are $25 for each of the three shows and are available online at www.tnny.org or by phone at 855-254-7469.

The three new musicals are each very different from each other representing completely different styles and genres of musical theatre.

We Have Apples with music and book by Rachel Griffin & Aron Accurso, lyrics by Rachel Griffin is directed by Gina Rattan and choreographed by Sarah O'Gleby and set inside a psychiatric facility. The cast features Shaunice Alexander, Emily Croft, Kendal Hartse, Cameron Anika Hill, Kennedy Kanagawa, Jesse Sharp, Hayden Stanes, Graham Stevens, Laura Turnbull, Daniel Yearwood and Stuart Zagnit. Music direction is by Michael Patrick Walker with orchestrations by Oran Eldor. The costume designer is Alixandra Eisen, scenic designer Rodrigo Escalante, lights by David Sexton, sound design Jessicca McIlquham and production stage mamager Michael Tosto. Many of those who saw an early concert version of "We Have Apples" at NYC's 54 Below described the show as riveting, as moving and as unique as "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Next To Normal." The story follows the struggles, hopes and joys of Jane and the other patients. The authors wrote this musical with the hopes that it will change the way you think about mental illness.

Thicket & Thistle's What's Your Wish? with the book by Thicket & Thistle (a writing team of actor/musicians) and music & lyrics by Kyle Acheson, Sam De Roest & Corley Pillsbury. It will be directed by Jonathan Eric Foster and choreographed by Mia Crivello. Created and performed by Thicket & Thistle, this cleverly staged musical will transport you into the magical storybook world of Death Forest as two best friends desperately try to get back home. The Thicket & Thistle ensemble features Kyle Acheson, Sam De Roest, Corley Pillsbury, Joshua Stenseth and Lindsay Zaroogian. Music direction is by Kyle Acheson and the head book writer is Sam De Roest with producer and managing director of Thicket & Thistle, Sarah George. The costume designer is Genevieve V. Beller, scenic designer Rodrigo Escalante, lights by David Sexton, sound design Jessicca McIlquham and stage management, Molly McCarthy

The third musical is Kragtar: An American Monster Musical, with the book by Sam French and Kyle Wilson, music & lyrics by Kyle Wilson. Kragtar will be directed by Benjamin Viertel with choreography by Alexis Floyd, Mary Nepi, Jimmy Nicholas, and Benjamin Viertel. The cast features Harron Atkins, Will Branner, Zanny Laird, Mary Nepi, Jimmy Nicholas, Jackson James Perrin, Bailey Purvis and Annie Yokom. Music direction by David Carl with music arrangements and orchestrations by Joe Mendick & Eric Fotre Leach. The costume designer is Kelsey Sasportas, scenic designer Rodrigo Escalante, lights by David Sexton, sound design Jessicca McIlquham and production stage mamager Michael Tosto. The plot revolves around a Godzilla like monster ravaging America and with no end in sight and Congress is...well, you know... as two gay scientists fight to save the world. The musical attempts to challenge a divided country with wit and satire that rivals even Stephen Colbert.

We Have Apples follows Jane, a quirky nineteen-year-old, who is determined to overcome her mental illness and become a successful writer. Paralyzed by the intensity of Depression, Jane's illness personified, Jane is forced to check into a psychiatric facility. In the facility, she bonds with the other patients in a writing group and falls in love with her psychiatrist's son. When a preventable tragedy occurs, will Jane work with the patients to expose the inadequate care online, risk her new love, all while fighting her own illness?

Thicket & Thistle's What's Your Wish? charts the journey of Nicholas and his best friend Brian when they suddenly find themselves sucked into a magic storybook. In the midst of their unexpected quest, they encounter unforeseen pitfalls, as well as guides to help them along the way, some of whom are charmingly helpful - a spunky-yet-dissatisfied young Fairy, and Old Vern the Trash Rat - while others have more sinister motives, like the Forest Enchantress. But how to tell the difference in a world so unfamiliar? The boys must learn about the power of trust, true friendship, and the meaning of sacrifice to make it out alive.

Kragtar: An American Monster Musical, centers on an America ravaged by a Godzilla-esque monster. With no end to the bloodshed in sight, and with Congress...well, you know, it's up to two gay scientists to save the world from a fate worse than Mothra. The show takes a sardonic stab at a divided country, modern day monsters and, because it's a musical, makes the case for the unifying power of love, with guest appearances by Tupac Shakur and Daenerys Targaryen.Theatre Now New York (TNNY) is a nonprofit professional theatre company focused on the production of new plays and musicals, recognizing that fully staged productions provide the best process for the development of new work. Theatre Now New York supports outstanding writers with the opportunities they need to create new theatre works.

We choose shows we believe have the potential for being dynamic and relevant to potential audiences by writers that are vetted through our programming. Talented writers are given far too few opportunities to develop their work as fully staged productions. For more information visit our website at www.tnny.org

For Tickets Online at www.tnny.org or call toll-free 855-254-SHOW [7469]