Passajj Productions Presents A MUSICAL: MADAME BOVARY, Opening 5/17

Passajj Productions will present A Musical: Madame Bovary, based on the novel by Gustave Flaubert, at Roy Arias Stage IV, beginning May 17, 2013. Marlene Thorn Taber will direct this musical adaptation by renowned composer and lyricist Paul Dick. Hayley Hoffmeister will portray Emma Bovary and Roger Rathburn (No, No, Nanette) is cast in the role of Charles Bovary. A Musical: Madame Bovary brings to life Flaubert's characters as they transition from youthful romanticism to mature reality except for Emma Bovary. This is the story of her passion.

All performances will be held at Roy Arias Stage IV, 300 West 43rd Street in New York City from Friday, May 17, 2013 (Opening Night) to Sunday, June 2, 2013. Peformance schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm and Monday May 20th and May 27th at 8pm.

Tickets are $18.00 and are available at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/922838 or by phone 866-811-4111. Ten dollar student discount tickets are available online and at box office day of the show.

Cast: John Raymond Barker*, Hayley Hoffmeister*, Alison Novelli, Roger Rathburn*, Eyal Sherf*, Mia Rose Spackman, PatRick Thomas Spencer, Christopher G. Tefft and Carl G. Zurhorst.

Crew: Roejendra Adams (Costume Design), Mitchell Ost (Lighting Design), Brian R. Sekinger* (Production Stage Manager) and Aaron Sheckler (Scenic Design).

Hayley Hoffmeister received her Bachelor's and Master's in Music Theater Performance from Oklahoma City University under the direction of Mr. Larry Wade Keller. She has worked in almost every area of theater from performing to directing, and writing to stage-managing. Favorite roles include: Emily Webb (OUR TOWN), Anne Egerman (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC), Fruma Sarah (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF), Dominique DuMonaco (LUCKY STIFF), Sissy (URBAN COWBOY: THE MUSICAL), and Peep Bo (THE MIKADO). Hayley has most recently been the assistant choreographer to director Marcia Milgrom Dodge in the past two remounts of the Seussical tours for Theaterworks USA.

Roger Rathburn (Charles Bovary) Broadway: No, No, Nanette and Five O'Clock Girl; Off-Broadway: Children of Adam; Las Vegas company of Mame with Susan Hayward; Your Own Thing national tour. Regional theatre and summer stock: Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Dr. Treves in The Elephant Man, Starbuck in 110 In The Shade, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls; Little Murders, Lion in Winter, Antigone, Camelot, Cabaret, Brigadoon, and Where's Charlie? Film: P.S. I Love You, Up Close and Personal, Brooklyn to Manhattan, Ten Stories Tall, The Good Shepherd. Television: "Gossip Girl," "Royal Pains," "Law and Order: SVU," "Cupid," "Six Degrees," "Ed," "The Bronx Is Burning," "Human Giant," "Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," "Somerset," "One Life to Live." Roger has performed on the "Late Show with David Letterman" as CEOs of CBS, 7-Eleven (12 appearances), Shell Oil, Carnival Cruises, and as VP of Marketing for Mayan Calendars, offering full refunds for any calendar purchased in the last 1200 years.
Director Marlene Thorn Taber*: This is the third season Marlene has directed musicals for Adapter/ Lyricist/Composer, Paul Dick: Moses, My Love and A for Adultery, and Madame Bovary. Previously, she lived and worked in China, Ukraine, and Russia. During that time, she directed/choreographed two musical revues funded by the US Peace Corps in Ukraine and a jazz dance concert in Beijing funded by the Chinese government. She also directed shows for the US Air Force Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Division in CA and was honored for her work in "Tops in Blues." Early in her career she was an assistant to Director, Alan Schneider and, as a result, became Executive Coordinator to Playwright, Edward Albee for over 5 years. She holds a PhD and is a member of AEA and SDC.
Rebecca G. Greenstein is a composer, lyricist, musical director, voice teacher, and accompanist in NYC. She is a graduate of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Workshop. Shows she has written include The Oregon Trail: Quest for the West! (Kentucky Repertory Theatre, NY Fringe Festival), GEORGE, Plan B (Looking Glass Theatre), Hapless Romance (West Village Musical Theatre Festival, Winner: Best Lyrics, Honorable Mention: Best Overall Musical), The 115th Annual Varsity Show. She served as music director for A for Adultery and currently serves for the award-winning Kidz Theater. Her vocal students have appeared on and off-Broadway and in national tours. Visit www.rebeccagmusic.com to learn more.

Paul Dick is author of over 15 musicals; many are based on classic sources, including A For Adultery , based on Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter, I Knock at the Door (based on the Sean O'Casey novel), Wuthering Height, a Romantic Musical and Once/Twice (the first half based on "A Sunny Morning" by the Quintero brothers; the second half was based on Chekhov's "The Bear"). Others are based on more contemporary sources, such as Tania (based on newspaper accounts of the Patty Hearst affair, presented by NY Theatre Workshop), White Widow (based on the play "Mafia" by Mario Fratti) and Anytime, Anywhere (a story of gay soldiers in Vietnam). His earliest works were presented by the WPA Theater when it was located on 333 Bowery. He participated in Lehman Engel's BMI Workshop and his musicals were championed by Alan Schneider. He currently resides in Long Valley, NJ.

* These Actors and Stage Manager(s) are appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. Equity approved showcase.

Interview inquiries and press reservations, please call Michael Martinez @ 845-201-8820

WHERE:Roy Arias Stage IV
(at Roy Arias Studios & Theatre)
between 8th Ave. & 9th Ave.
4th Floor
New York, NY 10036
www.royariastudios.com