Sally Struthers, Annie Golden & Mary Testa Set for York's CHEER WARS Readings; Hunter Foster Will Direct

The York Theatre Company and its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series, will present the new musical Cheer Wars with book & lyrics by Gordon Leary and music by Karlan Judd. TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY: Thursday, February 19 at 3:00 p.m. and Friday, February 20 at 12:00 p.m.at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). The readings are open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.00.

Directed by Hunter Foster, and with music direction by Vadim Feichtner, the cast features Sally Struthers, Annie Golden and Mary Testa, with Britney Coleman, Molly Hager, Stephanie Hsu, Amy Linden, Alyse Alan Louis, Michael Dean Morgan, Robb Sapp, and Dana Steingold.

Cheer Wars is a new musical with book & lyrics by Gordon Leary and music by Karlan Judd and winner of the 2009 Richard Rodgers Award administered by the academy of arts and letters. Halle Bolingbroke is going to be the next captain of the New London Lady Leopard Varsity Cheer Squad, whether she likes it or not. After all, her mom, Doretha, is the former captain and current coach. But when Nuella Percy, Doretha's long-lost cheer-nemesis, returns to New London with her cheerleading machine of a daughter, Charmain, a battle erupts for control of the squad. And, cheerleading itself. It is inspired by Henry IV, Part 1 and the true story of the Texas-cheerleader-murdering mom.

Reservations can be made by visiting the website at www.yorktheatre.org

The Developmental Reading Series presents some 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors throughout the year, a vital part of the writing process. The series serves as an incubator for shows to be considered for Mainstage productions (and others), thus serving the York's unique mission of taking new musicals through the complete development process to full production.

Currently in performance on the Mainstage at The York Theatre is the new musical play Texas in Paris by Alan Govenar, directed by Akin Babatundé and starring Tony Award winner Lillias White and Scott Wakefield, which the New York Times called "Incandescent and Irresistible," while The Huffington Post said, "This gem of a musical is a rare treat." The limited engagement continues through March 1, 2015.

The York Theatre Company offers the 54th Street Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $54.00 - with elite benefits that includes a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions (2 per membership), exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member only receptions.

York Memberships may be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by calling the York Theatre Company Box Office.

For additional information, please visit the website at www.yorktheatre.org.