Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) and The Countess of Storyville, LLC has announced complete casting for its upcoming developmental workshop of The Countess of Storyville, a new musical by Martin Silvestri (music), Joel Higgins (lyrics) andR.M. Cohen (book). This epic story of lust, love, mystery and murder will begin performances on February 12, 2014 at The Peter J. Sharp Theatre(416 West 42nd Street - between 9th & 10th Avenues) and continue through February 15. Lynne Taylor-Corbett directs.
The Countess of Storyville tells the mystery-laden tale of "Countess" Willie Dupree, a celebrated Parisian prostitute, on the occasion of her 1910 return to New Orleans, the city of her birth, where her mother was executed for murder years earlier. Dupree is about to open a sumptuous new bordello in the Storyville red light district, the demimonde saturated in race and revolution, sex and secrecy - and voodoo.
Joining the previously announced Tony Award nominee
Vivian Reed (Bubbling Brown Sugar), Grammy Award nominee
Deborah Cox (Jekyll & Hyde) and
Enrique Acevedo (Giant),
Jeremy Benton (42nd Street),
Lawrence Clayton (Bells Are Ringing),
Peter Cormican (Lady in the Dark),
Brittney Lee Hamilton (Cookin'),
Jamie LaVerdiere (Memphis),
Doreen Montalvo (In the Heights) Peter Schoeffler (Rock of Ages) are
Cleve Asbury (How To Succeed...),
Breanna Bartley (Black Nativity Now),
Trevor Braun (
Billy Elliott), Liam
James Daniels (Pilot Fish - NYMF),
Leah Edwards (Master Class),
Sydney Harcourt (The Lion King), Christine LaDuca (Distant Thunder),
Kevin B. McGlynn (Flambe Dreams),
Kate Marilley (
Billy Elliott),
Joshua Price (Freckleface Strawberry),
Bruce Sabath (Company) and
Kit Treece (A Chorus Line).
The creative team is comprised of
Dana Kenn (sets),
Dustin Cross (costumes/props),
Jason Kantrowitz (lights),
Carl Casella (sound), Glen Kinnaird(technical director) and Jason Yarcho (musical director) who has replaced the previously announced Dave Pepin.
The Countess of Storyville offers audiences a sweeping narrative of a fascinating era, a radiant score, and some very spicy characters," says Amas Artistic Producer
Donna Trinkoff. "I have been a fan of
Joel Higgins and
Martin Silvestri ever since their wonderful Johnny Guitar - The Musical played Off-Broadway several years back. Add R.M. Cohen's taut storytelling and
Lynne Taylor-Corbett's expert direction, and this will be a show to savor."
The Countess of Storyville will play the following five (5) performances: Wednesday February 12 at 7pm, Thursday, February 13 @ 2pm & 7pm, Friday, February 14 at 1pm, and Saturday, February 15 at 2pm. Tickets are free. For reservations call: 212-563-2565 or email boxoffice@amasmusical.org.
Amas Musical Theatre, now in its 45th year of continuous operation, is devoted to the creation, development and professional production of new American musicals through the celebration of diversity and minority perspectives, the emergence of new artistic talent, and the training and encouragement of underserved young people in the New York area. The most recent Amas Mainstage production, The Other
Josh Cohen, received six 2013 Drama Desk nominations including Outstanding Musical, a 2013
Lucille Lortel nomination for Outstanding Musical, and a 2013 Off-Broadway Alliance nomination for Best New Musical. The production will open at The
Paper Mill Playhouse in February 2014.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos