Tim Sulka & Debra Barsha's THE MOST MISERABLE CHRISTMAS TREE Gets Industry Readings, 4/7

The Most Miserable Christmas Tree, a new fun-filled family holiday musical with book and lyrics by Tim Sulka and Debra Barsha, music by Debra Barsha, will be presented in two (2) private industry readings at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m., on Monday, April 7, 2014, at Joria Studio (260 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor - between Broadway & 8th Ave.)

As a decorated Christmas tree, Douglas Fir enjoys the adoration that comes with the job - until December 26th, when he is thrown out and left in a pile of trash! Determined to expose the cold, hard truth about Christmas, Douglas heads back to his forest home of Blizzard Bay to warn his fellow trees. The other Christmas trees laugh at his plight and Douglas only succeeds in becoming more miserable than ever - until an important discovery allows him to understand the real meaning of the holiday season and find his true purpose.

Directed by Amy Jones, the cast includes some of Broadway's finest adults and children including Mark Lotito (Jersey Boys) as the hapless Douglas Fir; Trevor Braun (Billy Elliot), Jared Parker (Matilda, the Musical), Emily Rosenfeld (Annie), Lewis Grosso(Newsies), Marcy McGuigan, (The Divine Sister), Alex Gonzalez (Cuff Me), Tara Llewellyn, Alexis Molnar, Michael Lee Brown, and Pamela Rose Rodriguez.

Ms. Barsha will serve as Musical Director with Paul Leschen on piano and Barbara Merian on percussion.

According to Sulka, "The musical explores the idea of what happens when someone, in this case, a tree, is discarded and has lost his purpose. After discovering what happens to Christmas trees when Christmas is over, Douglas Fir has quite a few obstacles to overcome. Finding a new purpose becomes quite a challenge."

"The world of Christmas trees seemed an ideal and magical place to explore these themes," Barsha added. "Douglas is just a simple working class tree who wants it to be Christmas every day. Our goal is to bring Douglas Fir and the wonderful world of Christmas trees to life and hopefully create a new Christmas tradition."

Barsha composed the score for Radiant Baby and currently serves as Associate Conductor on Jersey Boys. Sulka is co-writer of the Miramax/Dimension film Children of the Corn 666 and is Associate Company Manager on Jersey Boys.