Blackbird Cofounders Present a Public Reading of New Musical MYTH, 11/12

Myth, an original musical by Blackbird Theater co-founders Wes Driver and Greg Greene and composer Michael Slayton, will be presented in front of an audience for the first time on Saturday, November 12, at Lipscomb University's Shamblin Theater.

A cast of over 25 actors will be featured in the reading as they present the entire script and performing the composed songs, which represents about half of the full score.

Myth tells the sweeping story of how and why the gods were cast from Mt. Olympus. Moving from a war-ravaged earth to the dark depths of Tartarus and on to the gilded palace of Olympus - winding from outrageous comedy to harrowing tragedy-it's an epic tale of corrupt kings, surprising romances, unlikely heroes, and, of course, the incomparable gods in all of their majestic, decadent glory. It's a rousing musical about how the people of earth, heroes and criminals, princes and slaves, band together, challenge fate, and revolt against the tyrannical gods of ancient Greece.

Featuring a book and lyrics by Wes Driver and Greg Greene,  music for Myth is by Michael Slayton.

Driver and Greene cofounded Blackbird Theater in 2010 in part to develop their original works, which have included four one acts, a trilogy of full-length murder mysteries, and a number of other plays and screenplays written individually and in collaboration. Their comedic thriller Twilight of the Gods was selected as "Best New Play" for 2010 by the Nashville Scene. Myth is the pair's first musical.

Slayton is associate professor and chair of music theory and composition at Vanderbilt University. He holds the D.M.A from the Moores School of Music (Houston) and has been commissioned both in the United States and internationally, with numerous performances in Germany, Belgium, Norway, Portugal, France, England and New York as well as in Nashville.

The cast for the reading includes Joanna Hackman, Jamie Farmer, Ross Bolen, Evelyn Brush, Ben Van Diepen, Rick Seay, Wesley Paine, Mike Baum, Patrick Kramer and Ronnie Meek, among others.

Seating is limited, so those who would like to attend should email Driver at wes@blackbirdnashville.com to reserve their seats.

 

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