Molina, Etc. to Sing Songs by Pasek & Paul, Etc., 1/29

Dreamlight Theatre Company will present the next installment of their "Bright Lights" concert series on Monday, January 29th at the Triad.  The concert will feature the work of four fresh talents: Michael Wartofsky, J. Oconer Navarro, and writing team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

"Bright Lights" was founded as a way of showcasing new and emerging composers and lyricists in musical theatre.  Previous participants have been Neil Bartram, Jeff Blumenkrantz, Peter Foley, and most recently, Sam Davis and Georgia Stitt.

Performing at the January 29th concert will be Michelle Blakely (Annie Get Your Gun, Grease), Matt Castle (Company), Darius de Haas (Carousel, Rent, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Marie Christine), Megan McGinnis (Beauty and the Beast, Parade, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Miserables), Maurice Murphy (Spelling Bee), Katie Clarke (The Light in the Piazza), and Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd).

Michael Wartofsky is the composer of The Man in My Head, which premiered at the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival, starring Darius de Haas and directed by Schele Williams.  Hehas been twice commissioned by North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) to collaborate with fellow NYU alum Kathleen Cahill.  In August 2006, NSMT produced a full-length Equity reading of their musical The Navigator.  He is an alumnus of NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing '97, New England Conservatory '94, and Harvard College '91.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are recent graduates of the University of Michigan, where they began their collaboration.  Their first show, Edges, has been performed over 60 times, enjoying professional productions in New York City and around the country. They have written music for John Tartaglia's Disney Channel program, "Johnny and the Sprites", and contributed music to the upcoming Off-Broadway production, White Noise. They are currently working on a new book musical, with Alexandra Cunningham, a writer and producer for the hit ABC series "Desperate Housewives."

J. Oconer Navarro recently earned his MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU, where he was the 2005 recipient of the Paulette Goddard Award.  His premiere musical, Awakening, based on the classic novella by Kate Chopin and written in collaboration with Joel B. New, is being further developed with Margo Lion, Ltd.  He has served in the music department of numerous New York productions including Avenue Q, The Apple Tree, Mary Poppins, and Curtains.

Dreamlight Theatre Company is a New York based non-profit organization devoted solely to musical theatre.  Through readings, workshops, concerts, and productions, they are creating a home for this unique American artform.  This spring, they will present their first full production – the New York City revival of the "a capella" musical, Avenue X.

"Bright Lights" - Monday, January 29th at the Triad (158 West 72nd Street, between Broadway & Columbus).  The show starts at 9:00pm - tickets are $15 with a two-drink minimum.  For more information about the show or for tickets, visit the Dreamlight Theatre Company website.   Visit www.DreamlightTheatre.org for more information.

Photo - Lauren Molina