NEO7 to be Hosted by Julie James and Michael Rupert, 5/16

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) will present NEO7, a benefit concert celebrating New, Emerging, Outstanding musical theatre writers, on Monday, May 16 at its home at the Theatre at Saint Peter's. Following the 7:30 PM performance (featuring the voices of many of today's top musical theatre talent), there will be a champagne and dessert reception to end the evening.

Sirius XM host Julie James ("Broadway Names with Julie James," "Sirius XM Live on Broadway") and Tony winner Michael Rupert (Sweet Charity, Legally Blonde, Elegies: A Song Cycle) have been announced as co-hosts for the annual concert event.

"NEO" (an acronym for "New, Emerging, Outstanding") celebrates songwriters primed to pen the next generation of musicals. Since the first NEO concert 6 years ago -- recorded by England's JAY Records-- musical theatre fans and York supporters eagerly anticipate each incarnation. NEO7 will include songs by the following new musical theatre writers: Will Aronson & Bill Nelson; Andre Catrini; Adam David Cohen & Patrick Gallagher; Jonathan Matthew Gilbert & John Andrew Tarbet; Tom Gualtieri & David Sisco; Richard Isen; Steven Jamail; Mark McDaniels & Donald Garverick; Mary Liz McNamara; Michael Mitnick; Jonathan Monro; Benjamin Velez; and Derrick Wang.

Updated performers scheduled to appear include: Tituss Burgess ("30 Rock," The Little Mermaid, Guys and Dolls), Jennifer Cody ("The Princess and the Frog," Shrek, Urinetown), Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon, All Shook Up), Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages, Sweeney Todd), Jill Paice (Curtains, The Woman in White) and Tanner Tompkins (York Mufti: I Remember Mama). More performers will be announced shortly. The evening will be directed by Jennifer Paulson Lee (Enter Laughing, The Musical) with music direction by Matt Castle (Company; Enter Laughing, The Musical).

Tickets (in various increments) can be purchased by calling 212-935-5824 (x215) or via the York's website: www.yorktheatre.org.

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. Over the past two seasons, York productions and artists have been nominated for a combined 31 Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, AUDELCO and Callaway Awards (and its productions of Yank! A WWII Love Story and Enter Laughing, The Musical have both been announced for Broadway). For over 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 Producing 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 premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and its acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.