Orfeh, Karl, Day, Etc. Set for NY Theatre Barn Readings

The New York Theatre Barn has announced its New Play Reading Series, with four free, invitation-only readings taking place at Manhattan Theatre Club Studios (311 W. 43rd Street, 8th Floor) this month.

Honky, a new play by Greg Kalleres, directed by Steve Bebout, will be presented in on Sunday, June 17 at 3pm.  The cast will feature: Matt Boethin (Peter), Michelle DuPre (Andy), Rob Lathan (Driscol/Wilson), Tuck Milligan (Davis), Postell Pringle (Thomas), Tijuana Ricks (Emilia), Jared Joseph (Kid) and Collin Howard.  "When a black kid from the ghetto is shot for his basketball shoes, five different people struggle with white guilt. Things get worse when the violence is embraced by rich suburban white kids in an effort to 'feel black.' Luckily, there is a new drug on the market that is guaranteed to rid the world of racism!   Honky is a black comedy about white guilt," as described in press notes.
 
Save Me, a new play by Stefanie Zadravec, directed by Thomas Caruso, will be performed Sunday, June 17 at 7pm.  The cast will feature: Johanna Day (Tony-nominee for Proof) as Beth, Tasha Lawrence (Proof on tour) as Caroline, Michael Malone (42nd Street) as Martin and Sarah Lord (Signature Theatre's 5th of July) as Rachel.  "Save Me delivers it's miracles in odd packages, when Beth arrives to heal her estranged sister of a brain tumor, salvation come in odd packages: a bright red wig, a super-hero sex addict, and a bouquet of flowers from a woman without a nose."

B.R.A.T.S., a new musical by Bobby Cronin, directed by Christopher Gattelli (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, High Fidelity), will receive a reading on Monday, June 18 at 3pm.  The cast will feature Adam Fleming (Hairspray, Wicked, Chicago) as Trevor, Brad Bass (Wicked, B'way) as Cody, Don Richard (Urinetown, Jane Eyre) as Turtle Head, Kate Loprest (Drowsy Chaperone) as Vanessa, Jennifer DiNoia (Mamma Mia!, Wicked, Chicago) as Amber, Ryan Weiss (Wicked, B'way) as Jake, Jenn Furman as Lily, Orfeh (Tony-nominee for Legally Blonde) as Bearded Clam and Andy Karl (Altar Boyz, Legally Blonde) as Camel Toe.  "No, these Brats are not the dolls. Anything but...This hilarious and moving contemporary musical follows six troubled teens sent to a wilderness boot camp. Will they remain the burdened, reckless, adolescent troubled souls that they are or will they conquer their demons in time to go home for Christmas?"

Ordinary Days, a new musical by Adam Gwon, directed by Joe Barros and with musical direction by Alex LeFevre, will feature Leah Horowitz (The Woman in White, La Cage aux Folles, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Michael Hunsaker (Ragtime), Jill Abramovitz (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me), and Jared Gertner (Spelling Bee).  "A lost notebook, a mysterious email, a rain-soaked afternoon…  When the lives of four New Yorkers unwittingly intersect, their ordinary days lead to something extraordinary."

Visit www.nytheatrebarn.org for more on New York Theatre Barn.

Photo of Orfeh by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.