Crossley, Shepperd et al. to Star in LOST LADY WITH A VIOLIN, 6/22

The 2010 Festival of New American Musicals in Los Angeles has announced casting for the world premiere concert reading of LOST LADY WITH A VIOLIN. The production will star Charlo Crossley (THE COLOR PURPLE, HAIRSPRAY), Michael Shepperd, Candice Nicole, Jay Donnell, Justin Michael Wilcox, Harrison White, and Susan Grace and will feature Donald Webber, Jr., Eve Sigall, Theresa Ford, Siri Lorece, Jayme Lake, Christian Campbell, Harrison White, Malynda Hale, Joe Hart, Noel Orput, Terrance A. Thomas, Blesst Bowden, and Ashley Arnold.

LOST LADY WITH A VIOLIN, set in 1944, tells of Ellie, a white concert violinist who seeks love.  She falls in love with Adam, an African-American army surgeon, but racism threatens to keep them apart.  Directed by Jeffrey Polk and musically directed by Ron Colvard, the musical features book and lyrics by Laurie Whitaker and music by Whitaker and Jeff Lass. 

The Festival will present LOST LADY WITH A VIOLIN on June 22 at 8pm.  The production will take place at El Portal's Main Stage Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, California.  Tickets cost $10; reservations are recommended but not required.  For reservations, call (310) 987-6527 or email lauriewhitaker@hotmail.com. 

The Festival of New American Musicals is home to full productions, staged readings, workshops of musicals in progress, cabaret events, and concerts. The organizers are working in partnership with over thirty Southern California area performing arts organizations; each will produce a new American musical during the Festival time period.

For more information, visit www.lafestival.org/index.html or www.lostladywithaviolin.com.