Olivier Nominee Kevyn Morrow Leads COLOR BLIND Reading at NYMF, 7/23 & 25

Under the direction of Robert Bartley, the creator/director/choreographer of the annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit BROADWAY BACKWARDS, COLOR BLIND debuts as part of the Developmental Reading Series of The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Monday, July 23 at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m., at 45th Street Theatre.

The cast will be led by Olivier Award nominee for his performance as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in the West End premiere of RAGTIME Kevyn Morrow (DREAMGIRLS, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, A CHORUS LINE) and Andrea Frierson (Rafiki in THE LION KING, ‘Da Singer in BRING IN ‘DA NOISE/BRING IN ‘DA FUNK, Erzulie in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND), and will feature Carla Duren (IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU dir. By David Hyde Pierce, Snookie in 110 IN THE SHADE) and Charles M. Baskerville (Gary Coleman in AVENUE Q National Tour).

Also in the cast are Kyle Garvin (TWIST at Passedena Playhouse and ALLIANCE THEATRE, dir. by Debbie Allen) and Rachael Ferrera (AMAZING GRACE at Goodspeed Musicals). Musical direction is provided by Brent Sawyer (Forbidden Broadway).

COLOR BLIND, with book and lyrics by Laura Cunningham and Lynn Szigeti, and music by Ken Martinak, Cunningham and Szigeti, asks the question: How do you feel when someone puts you in a box? Six Black Americans confront this issue when a talented high school senior refuses to check the box marked ‘Black American’ on his college application. When the past confronts the present with unintended consequences, can this conflicted teen remain true to his ideals as his life spins out of control?

Following COLOR BLIND, Bartley will direct and choreograph the upcoming Off-Broadway BED BUGS: THE MUSICAL and CHARACTER MAN, the newest one-man show by Jim Brochu (ZERO HOUR and THE BIG VOICE: GOD OR MERMAN?).

COLOR BLIND is produced by Judy Gordon (BARNUM, THE HIGH ROLLERS SOCIAL AND PLEASURE CLUB).

Admission to this developmental reading of COLOR BLIND is free and tickets and information is available at www.nymf.org/colorblind. The performance is 90 minutes; no intermission.