Richard Cory,Ed Dixon's new musical based on the classic Edgar Arlington Robinson poem about a man who seemed to have it all, will have its New York premiere as part of the 2005 New York Music Theatre Festival. Presented by Dennis Grimaldi Produtions and Nick Cavarra, it will run at the Lion Theatre (410 W. 42nd St., between 9th and 10th Avenues) from September 14th to 24th.
The innovative musical is directly adapted from A.R. Gurney's (Love Letters, Sylvia, The Dining Room) play based on the poem. With book, lyrics and music by Dixon (Cather County at Playwright's Horizon, Fanny Hill at Goodspeed) and directed by James Brennan (many regional productions, Crazy For You, 42nd Street as a Broadway actor), the show will feature Broadway veterans Allen Fitzpatrick (Sweet
Smell of Success, 42nd Street), Herndon Lackey (Parade, Inherit the
Wind), Maureen Moore (Gypsy--2003 Revival, Cabaret) Christeena Riggs
(Les Miserables) and Lynne Wintersteller (A Grand Night for Singing,
Closer Than Ever). The production team includes set and
costume design by Michael Bottari and Ron Case (Shanghai Moon, Die
Mommie Die) and lighting design by Phil Monat (Broadway: Finian's
Rainbow, Sally Marr and Her Escorts).
"A completely new concept in musical
theatre, Richard Cory...tells the story of a man who has 'everything' and yet simply cannot
fit in. Each scene is performed in a different musical style.
However, in every interaction, Richard fails to find his own voice. In
a startlingly original construction the devastating story unfolds with
wit and humor that ultimately delivers the audience and Richard to his
inevitable conclusion," state production notes. The show was originally commissioned by Playwrights Horizon with a grant from Harold and Mimi Steinberg. It
was also developed in the Eugene O'Neill Conference's 20th Anniversary
Season, and in its premiere at the Dallas Lyric Stage, it received a Leon Rabin
Award Nomination for Best New Work.Dedicated to discovering new work and new
artists, The New York Musical Theatre Festival celebrates the
diversity, creativity, and future of musical theatre. NYMF is a
flagship program of the National Music Theater Network, a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, and is America's largest annual musical
theatre event. NYMF is produced in association with Virgin Megastores
and proudly supported by amNewYork, Village Voice, WB11, Receptasign,
King Displays, Rosco, Scharff Weissberg, TheaterMania.com,
BroadwayWorld.com and Manhattan Living.
Richard Cory's performance schedule is: September 14th and 17th at 8:00 pm, September 18th at 4:30 pm,
September 19th at 8:00 pm and September 21st and 24th at 1:00 pm.
All tickets are $15; for reservations please call (212) 352-3101
or visit www.theatermania.com
to purchase tickets online. For complete festival
information visit www.nymf.org.