First Public Reading of LYRA: A DARK FAIRY TALE Set for Triad Theatre Next Month

The depth of hope and height of despair come together in Lyra: A Dark Fairy Tale, a musical adaptation of the original Little Mermaid story, set against the backdrop of a Faustian Dust Bowl era circus. On September 17th at 7pm and September 20th at 5pm there will be a premiere concert reading of this daunting and inspiring epic new musical at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street. Proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Tickets are $20 and available at www.triadnyc.com.

Featuring book and lyrics by Ashley Griffin (pop culture phenomenon Forever Deadward,) and music by Evan Jay Newman (Les Miserables (Broadway) American Idiot (National Tour)) Lyra is a cross between traditional musical theater and a European circus aesthetic. Created in conjunction with Cirque du Soleil artists, Lyra uses circus arts, not as spectacle, but along with music and dance, to advance the story. A beautiful, innocent young girl, a tragic clown, and an omnipotent illusionist set the stage for a tale of love, sacrifice, dreams, and escape.

Directed by Madeline O'Hara (Blogologues), with Music Direction by Andrew Wheeler (Naked Boys Singing.) The show features Bob Angelini (His Naked Mind), Ilana Gabrielle (Coming), Spiro Galiatsatos (Junk), Ashley Griffin (Forever Deadward), Shereen Hickman (Amaluna, Cirque du Soleil), Bonne Kramer (Mamma Mia), Olivia Lombardi (A Little Princess), Ryan Roets (Happy's Funeral), Craig Sculli (Chicago), and Scoop Slone (The Who's Tommy.)