Michael Arden, Aya Cash, Paul Iacono Set for STRAIGHT Reading, 9/26

Straight, a new play co-authored by Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola, with direction by Tony Award-winner Andy Sandberg (Hair; The Last Smoker in America), will present two invitation-only readings in New York on Monday, September 26, 2011.

The cast of three will feature Michael Arden (Big River; The Times They Are A-Changin'; "Kings") as Ben, Aya Cash (The Other Place; From Up Here) as Emily, and Paul Iacono ("The Hard Times of RJ Berger"; Fame) as Chris, with casting by Matthew Maisto.

In Straight, young investment banker Ben meets college sophomore Chris, but Ben is already in a relationship with graduate student Emily. Such is life for three young Bostonians living in a society that claims to be free of stereotypes. Through humor and a complicated love triangle, Straight deals with themes of sexuality and identity, examining these ideas in a unique and interesting new light. Funny, sad, sexy, and surprising, this simple three-character drama meditates on fidelity, identity, and the moral complex of a Facebook generation that prides itself on the pretense of tolerance.

Scott Elmegreen (Author) is a playwright, composer, and lyricist whose work has premiered on Broadway, television, and in film, as well as off-Broadway, nationally, and internationally. His shows include College: The Musical (pub. Dramatic Publishing Company), Vote For Me: A Musical Debate (New York Musical Theatre Festival), Thucydides (pub. Samuel French), and the children's shows Magic School Bus, Live! The Climate Challenge (national tour), and Awesome Allie: First Kid Astronaut (pub. Theatrical Rights Worldwide). Scott's original music is featured in the Emmy Award-nominated Colin Quinn: Long Story Short, directed by Jerry Seinfeld, Piled Higher and Deeper The Movie (based on the comic strip PhD Comics), and numerous plays, and his orchestrations are featured in ‘S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical (national tour) and others. Graduate of Princeton University. www.scottelmegreen.com

Drew Fornarola (Author) is a playwright and songwriter living in New York City. His most recent musical, originally commissioned by the New Musical Development Fund, is currently being developed for stage by DreamWorks Theatricals and for screen by Dreamworks Animation. Other theatrical works include College: The Musical (pub. Dramatic Publishing Company), Thucydides (winner of the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Play Festival, pub. Samuel French), and the children's shows Uncle Pirate (based on the novel by Doug Rees, pub. Samuel French), and Awesome Allie: First Kid Astronaut (pub Theatrical Rights Worldwide). Drew is a two-time MAC Award nominee, winner of the NYMF Award for Excellence in Lyrics, and a Richard Rodgers Award finalist. He is a graduate of Princeton University and an alumnus of the BMI Workshop. www.drewfornarola.com

Andy Sandberg (Director) is a director, writer, performer, and Tony Award winning producer. He recently directed the world premiere of The Last Smoker in America, by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and Drama Desk nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao); New York premiere in 2011-2012. He has been represented on Broadway and London's West End as a producer of HAIR (2009 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Awards). As a director, Andy's other recent credits include R.R.R.E.D. (NYMF), Bernice Bobs Her Mullet (NYMF), Into the Woods (Blue Hill Troupe), "Eli's Comin' to Broadway," a BC/EFA benefit hosted by Nathan Lane (Lincoln Center), and multiple Sing for Hope benefits featuring the talents of Dick Cavett, Michael Cerveris, and Richard Kind, among others. Recent Workshops/Readings: Beyond the Music (also, librettist), Operation Epsilon, Garbo & Me, and Mother Russia. As producer: A Perfect Future, by David Hay (dir. Wilson Milam); Vigil, starring Tony nominees Malcolm Gets and Helen Stenborg; and Paradise Found (Menier Chocolate Factory, London; dir. Hal Prince and Susan Stroman). Andy previously worked with Hal Prince on the Broadway production of LoveMusik (SDCF Observership). B.A. Yale University, where he has directed over thirty productions. Proud member of the SDC and AEA. He currently sits on the boards of Sing for Hope, The Yale Dramat, and The Whiffenpoof Alumni.