Simmons' Musical In the Schoolyard Begins May 4

Theater for the New City will present the world premiere production of the musical, In the Schoolyard, written and directed by Paulanne Simmons, with musical direction by Margaret Hetherman. In the Schoolyard will play a three-week limited engagement at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th streets). Performances begin Friday, May 4 and continue through Sunday, May 20. Opening Night is Friday, May 4 (8 p.m.). 
 
The musical "tells the story of native Brooklynite childhood buddies, Larry, Jerry, Dave, Eddie and Manny. They played stoopball and stickball on the streets and basketball in the schoolyard of P.S. 8. They all worked in or stole from the grocery store owned by Manny's mother, Mrs. Rivera. Although they have all married, started their careers and moved away, they still come back to Brooklyn on the last Saturday of September to play basketball, have a few drinks at O'Leary's bar and talk about old times and new. But this time things are a little different, Larry is going through a major crisis that's causing him to reevaluate the some of the decisions he's made in his life and Dave is in trouble once again. As the guys look back to the past, they figure out how they are going to face the future," state press notes.
 
In the Schoolyard is based on a newspaper story playwright Paulanne Simmons wrote for the Brooklyn Papers about a group of former Brooklynites who come back to their old neighborhood to play basketball once a year. In 2001 she turned the story into a drama that ran for three weeks at Theater for the New City. Now, with Margaret Hetherman as composer and musical director, In the Schoolyard has become a musical – the kind of old-fashioned, exuberant show that is so greatly loved and missed.

The production stars Jimmy Moon as Larry, Arthur Brown as Eddie, James Martinelli as Jerry, Richard Bryson as Manny, Mickey Corporon as Dave, Theresa Marinelli as Linda, Lizzie Czerner as Barbara, Jody Bell as Annie, Heather Meagher as Kathy and Jeanie, Jackie Savage as Mrs. Rivera and Dave Benger as Scott
 
The production features scenic design by Bill Wood, choreography by James Martinelli, and lighting design by Ken Kruk.
 
The show plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, May 20: Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.   Tickets are $15 and are now available online at www.theatermania.com or by calling (212) 254-1109.   Tickets are also available at www.theaterforthenewcity.net.