Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Melissa van der Schyff, & More Set for BENJAMIN BUTTON Reading, 6/5

On Wednesday, June 5, Fundamental Theatre Project will present a reading of Benjamin Button - A New Musical, as a part of Mass Rhetoric: A New Works Festival. With music by Natalie Tenenbaum and a book and lyrics by Brett Boles, the project will be directed by Stephen Nachamie and will feature Daniel Reichard, Melissa van Der Schyff, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, T.J. Mannix, James Donegan, Mark Willis Borum, Lauren Downie, Isabel Nesti, Lindsay Gallagher, Sena Lee, Alysia Dorhout, Heath Chaney, Chris Withers, Xalvador Tin-Bradbury and Mark DiConzo.

Benjamin Button is adapted from the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. Benjamin is born as an old man and grows younger as time passes. The show focuses on Benjamin's relationship with his father, his romantic relationship with Claire, and finally the tenuous relationship Benjamin has with his own son, James.

Natalie Tenenbaum is a critically acclaimed composer and pianist. Graduate of the Juilliard School, Natalie has appeared as soloist and with orchestras in Israel, Europe, Asia and the US, performing in venues such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Korea's National Theater, Jerusalem Music Center, Berlin's Konzerthaus, Madison Square Garden and Apollo theater; Natalie has also premiered her original compositions at Carnegie Hall, Harvard University, Merkin Hall, The National Arts Gallery (NY), and Juilliard's Paul Hall. She is a recipient of scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, Ronen Foundation and the Juilliard School, and has recently been named the 2012 Harrington Award recipient for Outstanding Creative Achievement at the BMI Lehman-Engle Musical Theatre Workshop.

Brett Boles is an award-winning composer, lyricist, and librettist. His musical Foreverman premiered last year at NYMF, where it won two awards: one for Outstanding Orchestrations, and the New World Stages Development award. Most recently, Brett worked with Tony Award winning producer Van Dean to organize a benefit for Brett's hometown of Sandy Hook, called From Broadway With Love. Performers included Stephen Schwartz, Marc Shaiman, Frank Wildhorn, Linda Eder, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and many others. Brett is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and the Dramatists Guild.

For additional information, visit: http://www.fundamentaltheaterproject.com

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos