York Theater Announces Casting For Upcoming Play Readings

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) is thrilled to announce casting for two forthcoming presentations in their Developmental Reading Series. As always, these readings are open to the general public and admission is free, but reservations are suggested, and can be obtained by e-mailing series coordinator Jeff Landsman at jlandsman@yorktheatre.org or calling 212-935-5824 x24. Upcoming readings include:

SWING FOR VICTORY
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 • 3:00 PM
CONCEPT BY JAMES BEDELL, Josh Clayton, Daniel T. Lavender, and Michael Ruby
BOOK BY Michael Ruby
The cast of Swing for Victory will feature Blair A. Brown (Master Class with Leslie Uggams), Karen McNae (The Producers, Westchester Broadway), Ron Remke (Evita, Fulton Opera House), and Stephen Smith.

Through laughter and song, Swing For Victory tells the story of The Four F's - a fictional, Modernaires-style mixed quartet embarking on a marathon performance to bolster the spirits of a group of soldiers under siege. The group strives to entertain the troops while enduring stress, fatigue and a few unexpected surprises on the eve of V-E Day.

POPart: The Musical
Thursday, March 19, 2009 • 3:00 PM
BOOK AND LYRICS BY DARYL LISA FAZIO, MUSIC BY AARON McALLISTER
The cast of POPart will include Monica Bell (Alabama and Utah Shakespeare Festivals, Law and Order), Taylor Buice, Amanda Conlon, Ryan Dunkin, Tommy Labanaris, MK Lawson, Erin Maguire, Michael Morch, Natalie Newman (Nat'l Tour: Grease), Scott Sowers, Jennifer Swiderski, Molly Walsh, and JamaAl Wilson (A Thousand Cranes at 59E59).

In this irreverent and campy original musical, we follow the adventures of Kitty Katz as she enrolls in art school and begins a creative journey of sorts. Kitty's "suburbia-to-ghetto-to-SoHo" story gives glimpses of insanity, inspiration, and acceptance...all on the road to the creation of art.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City - and one of very few in the world - dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For almost four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its mainstage series-most of them world, American, or New York premieres-by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Almost 30 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals - The Musical!, Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.

Each year, York's Developmental Reading Series presents between 30 to 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors, all free of charge to the public. Producing Artistic Director James Morgan said, "These readings give writers a unique opportunity to get audience feedback while a show is still in progress, giving audiences an active role in the creative process." York's productions of Souvenir and The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) were first developed in the Developmental Reading Series, where the current Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q also made early appearances. The Developmental Reading Series is made possible in part through a generous donation from The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation.