'Twilight in Manchego' Opens Tomorrow, 9/25 at NYMF

Twilight in Manchego, official Next Link selection of the 2008 New York Musical Theatre Festival, begins performances September 25th at the ATA Chernuchin Theater. Presented by The New York Musical Theater Festival, Laura Brandel and Patrice Miller, Twilight in Manchego will feature the talents of Tony Award Winner Chuck Cooper (The Life, Caroline or Change), Natalie Venetia Belcon (Avenue Q, The Glorious Ones, TV's Johnny and the Sprites), Adam Halpin (Glory Days), Leslie Alexander (The Boy From Oz, Mamma Mia), Alex Brightman (Glory Days), Jenna Coker-Jones (Evil Dead: The Musical), Paul Downs Colaizzo (Dyllun von Ritter from "Cubby Bernstein"), Alex Covington, Kevin Curtis, Jill Ginsberg, Alexis Grausz, Jessica Phillips (Next to Normal, The Scarlet Pimpernel), Lucas Steele (The Threepenny Opera), and Valerie Wright (Annie Get Your Gun, Steel Pier), and will be directed by Billy Porter. The show, with music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson Award Winner Matt Gould, will play six performances at the ATA Theater (314 W. 54th Street) September 25th – October 4th, 2007.

Twilight in Manchego features a set designed by Alexis Distler, lighting design by Driscoll Otto, musical arrangements by Michael McElroy and Justin Hatchimonji and musical direction by Andrew Resnick. Casting by Michael Cassara Casting. The stage manager is Karen Parlato.

Twilight in Manchego maps the story of Esau Munsey, who leaves a haunted past in the city to teach fourth grade in a provincial elementary school.  But his intentions to provoke change in an outdated education system distract him from the students he really wants to inspire.  When Esau's history repeats itself and the small town of Manchego is struck by tragedy, Esau must finally put to rest the ghosts of his past and make peace with himself and his choices.

Twilight in Manchego will play at the following times at the ATA Theater: September 25th at 8pm; September 26th at 7pm; September 27th at 9pm; September 29th at 8pm; October 1st at 8pm and October 4th at 1pm. Festival memberships are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.nymf.org or by calling (212) 352-3101; single tickets go on sale on September 1. For more information, visit www.nymf.org.

For more information about the show, visit www.nymf.org.