Pace New Musicals Announces I CAPTURE THE CASTLE and MAKE ME BAD Readings

Pace University's Pace New Musicals program, dedicated to the discovery of new theater works, and Ryan Scott Oliver, composer-lyricist and producer, will present a staged reading of I Capture the Castle by Marion Adler, Peter Foley and Cara Reichel January 23-27, and its inaugural New Musical Lab, a concert reading of Make Me Bad, by Drew Gasparini and Alex Brightman, which will be presented January 26-27.

Amy Rogers, Associate Professor of Musical Theater and creator of the BFA Musical Degree program at the Dyson School of Arts & Science at Pace University; Robert Meffe, Musical Director are collaborating with the authors to develop the new works featuring the students of Pace University's Musical Theatre Program.

Pace New Musicals' selections join a reading of Oliver's Jasper in Deadland from December 2012 and an internal presentation of new work by Pace University Artist-in-Residence Adam Guettel as a full year offering of brand new musical theatre.

ABOUT I CAPTURE THE CASTLE
I Capture the Castle is described by the authors as "a musical romance based on the beloved novel by British author Dodie Smith. Set in 1934, the story is told through the journal of teenager Cassandra Mortmain, an aspiring writer who chronicles the adventures of her artistic and impoverished family and her first descent into love." The show was written with support from The Shen Family Foundation and The American Musical Voices Project: The Next Generation at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.

The cast for the staged reading will feature Charles Franklin, Cory Jeacoma, Aury Krebs, Krista Pioppi, Chandler Reeves, Emily Rogers, Mike Ryan, Kevin Shotwell, and David Wiens.

Directed by Amy Rogers, Music Directed by Rob Meffe, Assistant Directed by Martha Reutlinger, Production Stage Management by Coleman Annison, Assistant Stage Managed by Allie Marotta, and Lighting Design by Graham Kindred.

Based on the novel by Dodie Smith. Music by Peter Foley, Lyrics by Marion Adler, Additional Lyrics by Peter Foley, Book by Cara Reichel, based on a stage adaptation by Kenneth Vega.

I Capture the Castle will play Wednesday, Jan. 23rd at 8PM, Thursday,Jan. 24th at 8PM, Friday, Jan. 25th at 8PM, Saturday, Jan. 26th at 8PM, Sunday, Jan. 27th at 7PM at Schaeberle Studio Theatre (41 Park Row, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10038). Tickets are $12 general admission and $6 for students. For reservations call (212) 346-1352 or email performingarts@pace.edu.

Cara Reichel (Book) is the co-bookwriter for the original musicals The Pursuit of Persephone, The Flood, The Alchemists, and Evergreen, and co-adaptor on Illyria and Honor, among others. She is a founding member and the Producing Artistic Director of NYC's Prospect Theater Company. Education: Princeton University / Brooklyn College. www.carareichel.com

Peter Foley (Music & Co-Lyrics) THE HIDDEN SKY (Rodgers, Larson, Sondheim awards, NEA grant); THE BEAR. Music: "To Sing" from SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED. Lyrics: English translation of Kurt Weill's MAGIC NIGHT. Commissions: Signature Theatre (VA), Public Theater (NYC). In development: INCONNU (libretto by Ellen McLaughlin, dir. Michael Greif); BLOOM. www.hellagoodmusic.com

Marion Adler (Co-Lyrics) is a Kleban Award winning lyricist. In 1997 her musical ENTER THE GUARDSMAN premiered in the West End and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Her musical, GUNMETAL BLUES premiered off Broadway in 1992 and has enjoyed hundreds of productions worldwide.

ABOUT MAKE ME BAD
From press notes: "What happens when you fall in love with a serial killer? The answer is Make Me Bad, a romantic thriller that will have you questioning yourself and your darkness inside."

The cast for the concert reading will feature Will Bellamy, Natalie Braha, Margaret Dudasik, Sarah Hollands, Devin Lewis, Scott Lindley, Tommy McKiernan, Hayley-Anna Norris, Marissa O'Donnell, Jordan Segal, and Kaleb Wells.

Directed by Rebeca Radoszkowicz, Music Directed by Shaina Taub , Stage Managed by Sean Potter.

Make Me Bad will play January 26th at 2 PM and 4 PM and January 27th at 1PM at 3 PM at Pace University's Schaeberle Studios, 41 Park Row, NY, NY 10038, 10th Floor. Tickets are FREE for the PNM Lab but currently ONLY AVAILABLE for the Jan. 26 4pm show and the Jan. 27th 3pm show. To get put on the wait list, email reservations@pace.edu with the date and time of the show you want to see. Run time is 90 minutes.

Alex Brightman (Book) makes his NYC writing debut with Make Me Bad. He is currently writing the book to Circles, his second musical with Drew Gasparini, and is a co-writer on a television pilot titled, The Morontourage Project. He also co-created the web series, An Actor Prepares..., with his girlfriend Lindsey Kyler. @ABrightmonster

Drew Gasparini (Music & Lyrics) Award winning composer/lyricist whose show's include: "Make Me Bad" & "Circles," "Inappropriate Stories Told At A Bar," and "Crazy, Just Like Me" (winner of Best In Fest- NYMF 2011). He has contributed songs to Oxygen's "The Next Big Thing" and NBC's SMASH." www.DrewGaspariniMusic.com @DrewGasparini