Special: Baayork Lee's National Asian Artists Project Puts on an OLIVER! To Remember

Last night, Baayork Lee and her National Asian Artists Project raised the curtain on their production of OLIVER! The production that plays through tomorrow night only, was made possible with special permission from Cameron Mackintosh and Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.

The performance received a thunderous standing ovation and brought our eyes to focus on this extraordinary Company and their mission statement. Although Broadway is focused on the TONYS this weekend, if you can make the time to go see OLIVER!, we know you'll agree it was well worth your time.

Remarkable, indeed. Directed by Steven Eng, with Choreography by Baayork Lee and Musical Direction by Kevin Farrell, this is glorious musical theatre in it's purest form.

Furthering their mission to showcase the work of Asian-American theatre artists through performance, outreach and educational programming, National Asian Artists Project (NAAP) has produced over the past four years "Oklahoma", "Carousel", and "Hello Dolly!" as part of their Re-Discover Series using all Asian casts.

Bart's musical OLIVER!, based on Charles Dickens' classic novel Oliver Twist, boasts popular showtunes such as "Food, Glorious Food," "I'd Do Anything," "Where Is Love?", "Consider Yourself," "As Long As He Needs Me," and "Who Will Buy?"

Joe Sheridan is production stage manager; Jimm Halliday, costume designer; Susan Kikuchi, associate choreographer; Kyle Garvin, assistant choreographer; Jose Simbulan; children's musical director; Cassey Kikuchi Kivnick, assistant director; and Kirk Bookman, lighting designer.

NAAP has returned to The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd Street) again this year to present this production of OLIVER! in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre. The show opened on Thursday, June 5th at 7:30PM. Additional performances are scheduled for Friday, June 6th at 7:30PM and Saturday, June 7th at 2PM and 7:30PM. There is a 65-member cast consisting of 20 children, 25 professional actors and 20 members of the NAAP Broadway Community Chorus. This benefit production will be fully staged, complete with sets and costumes.

Tickets are $75, $50 & $25 and are on sale now at Ticket Central. Tickets can be purchased through Ticket Central via www.ticketcentral.com or by calling 212-279-4200, or in person at 416 W. 42nd Street (12-8pm daily).

NAAP exists to be a leader in educating, cultivating and stimulating audiences and artists - current and future - through showcasing exceptional work by vibrant artists of Asian descent. Art constantly evolves and NAAP strives to command a place at the fore with a uniquely compelling American voice.