Durang's Noir Musical Adrift in Macao Begins January 23

Primary Stages will present the New York premiere of Adrift in Macao, a new musical with book and lyrics by Christopher Durang/> and music by Peter Melnick. Adrift in Macao begins performances Tuesday evening, January 23, 2007 for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, March 4, 2007 at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Opening night is Tuesday evening, February 13, 2007 at 7:00PM

Directed by Sheryl Kaller with choreography by Christopher Gattelli/> and musical direction by Fred Lassen, the seven-member cast features Sunset Boulevard Tony-nominee Alan Campbell/>, Will Swenson/>, and from the Philadelphia Theatre Company's production of the show, Rachel deBenedet/>, Orville Mendoza/>, and Michele Ragusa, each of whom won Barrymore Awards for their performances. They will be joined by Jonathan Rayson/> and Elisa Van Duyne.

Adrift in Macao is "a madcap musical parody of glamorous films noirs, in which the leading lady can always get a job singing in nightclubs no matter how she sings, and the leading man is always mysterious and can't go home for murky reasons he won¹t explain. From the opium dens of China to the lowlife bars of New York, Durang and composer Melnick take us on a hilarious tour through the post-WWII years complete with intrigue, silliness, and a playfully melodic score," according to production notes.

In describing the style of this new musical parody, Durang (The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Betty's Summer Vacaction) said: "Films noirs makes people think of evil femme fatales like Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity, and brings to mind violence and gangsters. Adrift in Macao doesn't focus on the crime aspects of films noirs, but more on the ambience - the smoky nightclubs, the alluring women, and the mysterious men with shady pasts."

The creative team includes Thomas Lynch (sets), Willa Kim (costumes), Jeff Croiter (lighting), Peter J. Fitzgerald/> (sound), and Michael Starobin (orchestrations). 

Adrift in Macao will play the following performance schedule: Tuesdays at 7PM, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8PM, with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2PM and Sundays at 3PM. In place of the Wednesday matinees on February 14 & 28, Primary Stages is presenting 1pm shows of Macao to student groups at no charge, under the auspices of the Primary Stages NYC Public School Student Matinee program.

Additionally, following the public performances on February 15 and 22, there are special "Artist/Audience Talkbacks" for the attendees of the performances on those evenings. Single tickets for all performances are $70 and may be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, online at www.ticketcentral.com, or in person at the 59E59 Theaters Box Office. Group Tickets (15+) are $47.50 each, and are available by calling Primary Stages at (212) 840-9705.

For further information about Primary Stages, please visit www.primarystages.com.

Photo - Christopher Durang