Urban Stages Announces 2012-13 Season: HONKY World Premiere and More

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director) has announced their 2012-13 season, beginning with the 20 Year Anniversary Celebration of Urban Stages ON TOUR with Urban Stages OCTOBERFEST (October 7-November 4), followed by the award-winning "Winter Rhythms 2012" (December 4-16, 2012) a music-fueled two-weeks of established and promising musical artists performing new works. Finally, this upcoming March, Urban Stages will present the world premiere of Greg Kalleres' play "HONKY' at Urban Stages (259 West 30 Street.)

For the past 20 Years, Urban Stages ON TOUR, has brought original family friendly performances to schools and libraries throughout the five boroughs. Beginning October 7 through November 4, Urban Stages will present shows featured in their award-winning Urban Stages ON TOUR Series. These shows, in addition to a slate of performances for kids, will focus on the lives of heroic woman in history including - Sacagawea, Mae Jemison, Frida Kahlo and Melba Patillo Beals (Little Rock Nine). These plays bring to the stage the courage, determination, and fortitude of women who have helped to define our history (Full schedule listed below).

Urban Stages' award-winning musical series Winter Rhythms (Dec. 4-15, 2012) will celebrate its fourth year and will benfit Urban Stages ON TOUR Outreach Programs. For the second consecutive year, Peter Napolitano (award-winning director/writer/producer) will be programming an ambitious mix of solo and group shows featuring acclaimed performers and musicians from the worlds of Broadway, cabaret, jazz, classical and contemporary music. This year's artists and shows scheduled to date include Tony Award winner Adriane Lenox and Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli; famed composer/musical director Glen Roven's Poetic License, an evening of theatre and opera stars including David Garrison and Daniel Okulitch performing poetry and art songs; a special birthday tribute to Frank Sinatra with musical direction by William Zeffiro; Jazz Jam with veteran pianist/musical director Barry Levitt, his trio and guest vocalists; excerpts from new American musicals by members and alumni of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop; and more surprises to be announced.

Opening this March, Urban Stages will present the world premiere of Greg Kalleres'HONKY. HONKY is a dark comedy that takes a satirical look at the relationship between racism and commercialism, while asking the question – is white guilt only for white people?

Tickets will be available at www.Smarttix.com or by calling 212.868.4444.

www.urbanstages.org