York Theatre Company's 45th Anniversary Season to Feature Lillias White in TEXAS IN PARIS, NY Premiere of HAROLD AND MAUDE & More

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, celebrates major milestones with the announcement of its upcoming 2014-2015 season. The 45th Anniversary season will see the Off-Broadway premieres of two Main Stage productions: Texas in Paris starring Tony Award-winner Lillias White, and the highly anticipated Harold and Maude, an intimate musical. The acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series will present its 100th production, expanding to a two-week performance schedule for the musicals Big, A Time for Singing and Saturday Night; My Favorite Year will then play a one-week schedule. Special events include the 23rd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala honoring Broadway's Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and York's ongoing schedule of developmental readings, labs and more at The York Theatre Company's home at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue.)

The acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series, made up of simply-staged concert readings of musical theater gems from the past. The series includes a second look at the musicals Big with book by John Weidman, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., and music by David Shire (October 11-12, October 15-19), A Time for Singing with book & lyrics by Gerald Freedman & John Morris, and music by John Morris (October 25-26, October 29-November 2), Saturday Night with book by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein, and music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (November 8-9, November 12-16), and, for one week only, My Favorite Year that has book by Joseph Dougherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty (December 5-7). "Mufti" means "in street clothes, without the trappings associated with a full production."

The season at the York continues with the first of two fully-mounted Main Stage productions: Texas in Paris, a world premiere musical play by Alan Govenar with spirituals, cowboy songs, and country hymns, featuring Tony Award-winner Lillias White (January 27, 2015 - March 1, 2015), and the long awaited New York premiere of Harold and Maude, an intimate musical based on the cult film by Colin Higgins, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Joseph Thalken (May 12-June 14, 2015).

Special events throughout the season include the annual Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala honoring Tony Award-winning composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (November 24, 2014), a 100th Mufti Concert Celebration (March 16, 2015), the 10th Annual NEO Concert (June 2015), four special performances of Stacy Sullivan's On the Air: Songs for Marian McPartland (September 26-28, 2014) , a new game show, TUNE IN TIME ( 4 Tuesdays in October, November and December 2014), a special five performance engagement of Once Upon a Mattress presented by Marymount Manhattan College as part of its Rodgers/Guettel Festival (March 27-29, 2015), and more.

The York will travel across town for two '45 at 54' Concerts at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street). York fans and musical theater buffs will want to experience the breadth and range of the York's longtime love affair with the American musical. The first concert is set for October 13, 2015, with the second scheduled on January 19, 2015.

Already announced is a special two-performance presentation of The Gift of Music, a concert tribute to Cantor and Broadway performer Larry Gilbert, written by Stephen Cole (Inventing Mary Martin), directed by Pamela Hunt (The Musicals of Musicals, The Musical!), and music direction by Michael Rice. York Board Member Robert Goldberg and his brother Steven Goldberg present this intimate telling of their father's Broadway and liturgical career presented in an evening of songs from Milk and Honey, Closer Than Ever, Paint Your Wagon, Enter Laughing, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and more. The cast will feature York alum George Dvorsky (Closer Than Ever), Marcie Henderson (Ragtime) and Quinn Lemley (Burlesque to Broadway). Performances are set for Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.

"This season is exciting because it celebrates many significant milestones, including our 45th anniversary, our 100th Mufti production and our 10th NEO series," stated James Morgan, producing artistic director at the York. "It includes three Mufti productions running for two weeks each--a first!--plus two fully-mounted mainstage productions, plus a number of special events including the new musical On the Air, a new game show featuring emerging musical theater writers, two concert celebrations at 54 Below, an spectacular evening in honor of our 100th Mufti, and performances of Once Upon A Mattress by Marymount Manhattan College. Whether you are a returning member or a first timer, we invite you to come celebrate with us!"

Now on sale, The York Theatre Company offers the 54th Street Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $54.00 - with elite benefits that include a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions (2 per membership), exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member only receptions.

York Memberships can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by visiting the York Theatre Company Box Office (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), or by calling the Box Office at (212) 935-5820 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Single tickets to each event are now on sale to the general public.

For additional information, please visit the website at www.yorktheatre.org.