Walter Bobbie to Direct THE LANDING at Vineyard Theatre; Julia Murney & Paul Anthony Stewart Join Cast

According to an audition listing, Walter Bobbie is set to direct the Vineyard Theatre's Developmental Lab Production of THE LANDING (previously titled "Andra") -- a collection of three related one-act musicals written by the celebrated composer John Kander and his new collaborator, Greg Pierce - THE LANDING will be presenTed May 15-June 3 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.).

Based on stories written by John Kander and Greg Pierce, THE LANDING - which will mark Mr. Kander's first full new theatre collaboration with another writer since the passing of his long-time collaborator Fred Ebb in 2004 - is comprised of three one-act musicals thematically-linked and performed together by an ensemble of four. These gripping and soulful pieces invite audiences into richly imagined worlds, in which characters must confront what it means to get what they think they want.

Joining previously announced David Hyde Pierce in the production are Julia Murney and Paul Anthony Stewart.

John Kander's relationship with The Vineyard dates back to 1987 with the theatre's acclaimed revival of the Kander and Ebb musical FLORA THE RED MENACE. Most recently, Vineyard Theatre presented the world-premiere of Kander and Ebb's musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS in March 2010 -- with book by David Thompson and with direction and choregraphy by Susan Stroman -- prior to co-producing the show's Broadway transfer last fall.

John Kander and Fred Ebb won Tony Awards for their scores for CABARET (which also won the Tony for Best Musical), KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Tony Award, Best Musical) and WOMAN OF THE YEAR. They also wrote the Broadway musicals CHICAGO, STEEL PIER, THE VISIT, ZORBA, THE ACT, THE RINK and THE HAPPY TIME. AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, THE SONGS OF KANDER AND EBB enjoyed critical and popular success Off-Broadway in 1991.

One of the nation´s leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, Vineyard Theatre has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works including the Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Edward Albee´s THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel´s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, Tarell Alvin McCraney´s WIG OUT!, The Civilians´ THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, Nicky Silver´s PTERODACTYLS and RAISED IN CAPTIVITY, the Laura Nyro musical ELI´S COMIN´, A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, Adam Rapp´s THE METAL CHILDREN, Will Eno´s MIDDLETOWN, Christopher Shinn's PICKED and most recently, Developmental Lab Productions of NOW. HERE. THIS., the latest from the creators of [title of show], and the Broadway-bound revival of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER.

Vineyard Theatre produced the world premiere of the musical AVENUE Q and is a recipient of the Tony Award for Best Musical. The Vineyard continues as producer of the musical´s current production at New World Stages in New York. As well, The Vineyard produced the musical [title of show] both on Broadway and off, along with producing the world-premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS on and off Broadway.

Douglas Aibel is Artistic Director of the Vineyard Theatre, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell is Executive Producer, Sarah Stern is Co-Artistic Director and Rebecca Habel is Managing Director.

For more information about The Vineyard, visit www.vineyardtheatre.org

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski