THE MAPMAKER'S OPERA Set for NYMF, 7/9-20

The New York Musical Theater Festival, Stella Entertainment and Quill & Quaver Associates will present the world premiere of the new Australian Musical, THE MAPMAKER'S OPERA, based on the novel "The Mapmakers Opera" by Béa Gonzalez, with a dynamic score based on Gypsy Flamenco, Latino and regional Mexican infused musical styles, July 9-20 at the Pearl Theatre, 555 West 42nd St. A moving love story set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution, and an Official Selection of the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival's Next Link Project, THE MAPMAKER'S OPERA is directed by Donald Brenner with book and Lyrics by Victor Kazan and music by Kevin Purcell.

Set on the eve of the Mexican Revolution, in the place of the 'Mundo Maya', the Musical recounts the poignant story of a young Spaniard, Diego Clemente, and La Señorita Sofia Duarte - star-crossed lovers whose fate is sealed by a desperate quest to save two, once-common, birds from extinction. From childhood days in his native Spain spent poring over, and copying, Audubon's luminous bird illustrations, young Clemente has dreamed of seeing such birds in person. When an opportunity to work with a famous naturalist in Mexico presents itself, Diego sets sail for the Yucatán Peninsula, where upon arriving, he falls in love with Sofia, a beautiful but defiant woman as entranced by these majestic creatures as he.

With revolutionary rumblings in the background, matters come to a head when a workers' uprising threatens two of the world's only remaining passenger pigeons, being held in captivity by a powerful and avaricious local plantation owner.

"Although the story is set in 1909 in México's beautiful Yucatán peninsula, the music is all contemporary with an infectious dance feel to a lot of the numbers in the show," explains Mr. Purcell.

"It is immensely gratifying to have been chosen from such a vast number of entries, and we're very excited at the prospect of staging the premiere production of our show to a New York audience," says Mr. Kazan.

The cast of THE MAPMAKERS OPERA features Joel Perez, Sean McDermott, Tony Chiroldes Paul Consentino, Henry Gainza, Lorraine Serabian, Cartlos Encinias, Andres, Acosta, Tony, Castellanos, Debra Cardona, Alma Cuervo, Natalia Lepore Hagan and the Australian actress, Madeleine Featherby.

BÉA GONZALEZ Béa Gonzalez was born in Spain and immigrated to Canada as a child. Following studies in Spain and Toronto, she pursued postgraduate studies in London, England, where she received an MA in Literary and Historical Studies from the University of London. Gonzalez is the author of many articles, literary essays and reviews. She is also a lecturer and educator and designs and leads tours to Spain and Latin America to study their poets and writers. She is the author of two novels, The Bitter Taste of Time and The Mapmaker's Opera. To date, her books have been published in seven countries.

Kevin Purcell is one of Australia's most internationally respected and experienced musical directors and theatre arrangers. In 2013, Kevin was appointed the Musical Director for the first UK/Eire national tour of WICKED: the untold story of the witches of Oz. He is also widely regarded for his work as an Arranger, having scored arrangements for leading theatre Broadway creatives and performers, including Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty (Rocky - currently on Broadway, Ragtime), and the late Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line), as well as for numerous American symphony orchestras including The Boston Pops, New York Pops, and National Symphony Orchestras.

Victor Kazan has worked in the entertainment industry for more than forty-five years. Born and educated in London, he carved a distinguished reputation as a writer and director in British theatre and television before taking up residence in Australia in the early 1980s. Since then, his major work has been in film and musical theatre. Among his Australian screenplays is the popular, Australian, feel-good movie "Dalkeith".

Donald Brenner's directing credits include March Madness and December Fools (Abingdon Theatre Company), Miracle on 34th Street (Lucille Lortel Theatre) Ali Baba (Lincoln Center), Critical Mass (Lion Theatre) and A Tale of Two Cities (Mint Theatre). New York Musical Theatre Festival: Sasquatched! The Musical and The Most Ridiculous Thing You Ever Hoid. Regional: Beyond Gravity (New Jersey Repertory Company), Wilde Goes West (Pioneer Theatre), The Gym (Berkshire Theatre Festival). Other regional credits include The Light in the Piazza, Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Corpse! and Our Town.

Production design for THE MAPMAKERS OPERA includes scenic design by Andrew Lu, lighting and projection design by Gertjan Houben, costumes by Laura Crow, and chorography by Sta? Kmie?.

Performances of THE MAPMAKERS OPERA are on 7/9 at 8PM, 7/10 at 1PM, 7/12 at 9PM, 7/13 at 4PM, 7/16 at 9PM.

Tickets are $25 and available online at www.nymf.org