Allan Harris, Richard Vida, Andrea Ross and More Set for Theatre Aspen's CROSS THAT RIVER Reading, 7/28

Theatre Aspen is presenting a staged reading of the new musical Cross That River on Sunday, July 28th, at the Hurst Theatre in Aspen, Colorado. The musical is subtitled "a new musical about the black west" with a book by Allan & Pat Harris and music and lyrics by Allan Harris (based on an original story by Allan & Pat Harris). Regge Life is the director.

Cross That River stars three-time winner of the New York Nightlife Award for "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist," guitarist, vocalist and composerAllan Harris. The cast also features Broadway veterans Richard Vida (LES MISERABLES, Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public), Franz Alderfer (Marie Christine) and Soara-Joye Ross (Les Mis, Dance of the Vampires), DWayne Carrington, Tyrone Davis (Shrek), Aloysius Gigl (Phantom), Andrea Ross, Christopher Behmke, Chelsie Nectow, Daniel Schwait and Ravi Roth (Altar Boyz).

Artistic Director Paige Price said, "We're very excited to bring all these artists to Aspen to work with Allan. Cross That River is a story about the black West - a story not often told. Cowboys aren't a demographic we see in the theater too often, so maybe this'll get them off the ranch!"

Director and filmmaker Regge Life has worked on stage and in television as a director and production executive on projects as varied as "The Cosby Show" on NBC and the play Runaway Home at the Studio Theater in Washington, D.C. Mr. Life has worked with CBS News' "Saturday Night with Connie Chung" and NBC's "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow". He is the recipient of many awards including four CINE Golden Eagles. He was honored by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and chosen a Sony Innovator in 1991. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Tufts University, a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University School of Arts and enriched his education with a course in Cinema Studies at Harvard University. A Fulbrighter, he also served as a Commissioner with the Japan-United States Friendship Commission and is a Board member for the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers.

Allan Harris is a vocalist, producer, composer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and educator. A main-stay in concert halls, theaters, major music festivals and jazz clubs around the world, he has been a guest performer with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, with Country Music Star Vince Gill and with Stevie Wonder. He has performed for President Clinton, Jessye Norman and Sophia Loren. Harris is seen regularly at SMOKE in Manhattan, as well as Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Producer Patricia Harris has been directing the careers of music artists since 1994, as well as producing numerous music series for organizations like, Sotheby's and concerts at BB Kings Blues Club, Joe's Pub, Birdland, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the Blue Note, and a lecture/concert series entitled Lush Life, the works of Billy Strayhorn with Allan Harris and David Hajdu, author of the biography "Lush Life."

Cross That River debuted at the O'Neill Theater in July 2008, and was the recipient of the Chamber Music America ResidenCy Grant. The musical was originally presented in the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival, directed by Andrew Wilk and featuring choreography by Tony-Award winner Donna McKechnie. Cross That River had a further developmental reading at the O'Neill Theatre Center Cabaret Conference, under Artistic Director Michael Bush.

In September, Cross That River will be one of three shows selected for presentation at the ASCAP Musical Theatre Festival at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Theatre Aspen's productions take place in the new Hurst Theatre in Rio Grande Park and will be underwritten by season sponsor ANB Bank and Soledad and Bob Hurst, with the generous support of Darlynn and Tom Fellman, Liz and Jane Armstrong, The City of Aspen, Joshua & CO., Charles and Nancy Wall, Jim and Brenda Grusecki, Mandy Gray and Randy Work, Dan and Maureen Holman, and The Aspen Club and Spa.

Theatre Aspen is not charging for the event, but accepting donations to support new play development. To rsvp, however, call the Theatre Aspen office at 970-925-9313. Tickets and season passes are on sale now. Contact the Wheeler Box Office at 970.920.5770 or www.aspenshowtix.com. For further information contact Theatre Aspen at 970-925-9313. www.theatreaspen.org.

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