Leisy, Brna, Applegate et al. Set to Star in York's New Musicals in June

York Theatre Company has cast its two new musicals, Rogues to Riches and Scandalous Behavior, as part of its Developmental Reading Series.  Readings will be held at Saint Peter's Church on Thursday, June 3pm at 3 and 7pm for Rogues to Riches and Friday, June 4 at 3pm for Scandalous Behavior.  For more information visit http://www.yorktheatre.org

Rogues to Riches
Book and Lyrics by Robert Serva
Music by Lynn Crigler
Inspired by the Restoration comedy, The Beaux Strategem by George Farquhar
Thursday, June 3, 2010 • 3 & 7 PM

The cast of Rogues to Riches features Anna Bergman, Renèe Brna (Coram Boy), Michael Brian Dunn (The Life), Brittney Lee Hamilton, Matt Leisy (The Fantasticks), Michael Nostrand (Peter Pan), Steve Watts, Kimberly Whalen (The Fantasticks), Richard White (Beauty and the Beast, Disney film) and William Zeffiro. The reading is directed by Robert Serva with music direction by Lynn Crigler.

Rogues to Riches tells the tale of two impoverished gentlemen on the road in search of a wealthy lady, whose heart (and riches!) could enable them to once more lead the uninhibited life they remember so fondly. Along the way, they meet two ladies (one unhappily married, one unhappily unmarried), an evil landlord, scheming servants, romantic maidens, and the dreaded highwaymen! Get ready for a whirlwind of romance, disguise and improbable fun.

Scandalous Behavior The New 18th Century Musical
Based on The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jeffery Lyle Segal
Friday, June 4, 2010 • 3 PM

The cast of Scandalous Behavior features Fred Applegate (La Cage aux Folles), William J. Brooke, Mandy Bruno (Les Misèrables), Xander Chauncey, Brian Childers (Danny and Sylvia), Bill Galarno (Abe Lincoln in Illinois), Charles E. Gerber (Hamlet), Steven Hauck (Irena's Vow), Charles Karel (Zorba), Ashley Fox Linton, Christopher Hudson Meyers, Terry Palasz, Verna Piercz (Side Show), Jeff Raab, Nicholas Sattinger, Kristen Lee Sergeant, Barry Shafrin. The reading is directed by Jeffery Lyle Segal with music direction by J. Oconer Navarro (Adding Machine).

One of the funniest British comedies of the 18th century, The School for Scandal, is now a charming, tuneful new musical, Scandalous Behavior. Sex, lies, greed, love, gossip...nothing has changed! Will old Sir Peter Teazle find happiness with a spirited young wife half his age? Will scheming Joseph Surface seduce Lady Teazle into an indiscretion she will regret? Will Sir Peter's pretty ward, Maria, be able to reform Joseph's decadent brother, Charles? Come listen to their juicy stories and enroll in this new School for Scandal.

Previously announced in the series: La Llarona - The Mexican Medea
A Musical Drama by Hector Armienta
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 • 7 PM

A young Xochil Indian girl fell desperately in love with a man of Spanish lineage, and the great Xochil river has never forgiven her. Twenty years later she is married, and now the river will take its revenge upon her. Her husband will betray her, she will go mad, and the river will torment her until she sacrifices her only child. This is the legend of La Llorona - the Weeping Woman.

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. This season, York was nominated for seven Drama Desk, two Lucille Lortel, two Outer Critics Circle and one Drama League Award for its production of Yank! A WWII Love Story (which has been announced for a Broadway transfer, along with last season's Enter Laughing, The Musical). For almost 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 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 30 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals - The Musical!, Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.

Each year, York's Developmental Reading Series presents between 30 to 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors. Reading Series Coordinator Jeff Landsman says, "These readings give writers a unique opportunity to get audience feedback while a show is still in progress." York's Mainstage production, Yank!, as well as past Mainstage productions Souvenir and The Musical of Musicals, The Musical! were first developed in the Developmental Reading Series, where the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q also made its first appearances. The Developmental Reading Series is made possible in part by The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.