'THE BIG TIME' with Book By Beane, Music By Cohen Gets Private NYC Reading 8/4, Jackson, Sieber, Gravitte, Hoffman and Swenson to Star

THE BIG TIME, a new World Premiere musical with a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen will be given a private reading on August 4th in New York City. THE BIG TIME will be directed by Christopher Ashley. Musical Direction by Eric Stern.

THE BIG TIME reading will feature Ray Bokhour, Jenn Gambetese, Debbie Gravitte, Jackie Hoffman, Cheyenne Jackson, Michael McCormick, Christopher Sieber and Will Swenson

Orchestrations: August Eriksmoen, Sound Designer: Brian Ronan, Casting Director: Cindy Tolan
Music Coordinator: Howard Joines, and General Management: 101 Productions, Ltd.

THE BIG TIME is described as "Two down-on-their-luck lounge singers set sail for one last chance at success when they’re booked on a United Nations cruise ship. When the ship is taken hostage by terrorists intent on destroying the world, romance and mistaken identities abound as hostages become heroes and radicals become hoofers."

Douglas Carter Beane received a Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical for 2008's Xanadu. He is also the author of The Little Dog Laughed, which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in 2007, and has since played all over the country. Christopher Ashley directs THE BIG TIME, continuing a long and fruitful collaboration with Douglas Carter Beane.