AMERICAN IDIOT's Van Hughes and HAIR's Ryan Link to Star in New York Premiere of SON OF A GUN, 11/1

American Idiot's Van Hughes and Hair's Ryan Link will star in the New York premiere of Son of a Gun, a contemporary folk rock musical previously developed with the O'Neill Theater Center, Joe's Pub and The Drama League. Performances begin November 1, 2012 at The Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row. Gabriel Barre (Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, john & jen) directs. The announcement was made today by Joshua Alan, Artistic Director of Firebone Theatre, the producer of Son of a Gun.

Son of a Gun is a darkly comic folk rock musical that tells the story of Danderhauler Agamenon Khrusty, heir apparent to the Khrusty family band. When Dan meets the love of his life, an awkward opening act named Lucy Sunshine, he's forced to confront his charismatic but domineering father. Jam-packed with dueling cowboys, flaming vans and an angelic host, Son of a Gun tells the tale of one wildly eccentric family.

Son of a Gun features music and lyrics by Don Chaffer, the ASCAP Award-winning writer, musician, recording artist and music producer who won the Radio and Records Song of the Year Award for "You Are So Good To Me". Chaffer is also the founder of the Nashville band Waterdeep which has released 15 albums. Additional music and lyrics are by Lori Chaffer, singer and songwriter for Waterdeep. The book is by Chris Cragin (The River Nun, Emily, An Amethyst Remembrance) and Don Chaffer.

The cast of Son of a Gun will feature Van Hughes (American Idiot, 9 to 5, Hairspray), Ryan Link (Hair, Aida, Wonderland, Rent), Alex Branton, Billy Brimblecom Jr., Michael Castillejos, Lori Fischer (Barbara's Blue Kitchen, Cowgirls), Rebecca Hart (Playwrights Horizons' Mr. Burns, Young Adult), Jimmie James (The New Group's Adult, Henry IV, Part 1 at BAM) and Martin Landry (Twilight: The Musical, The Ohmies).

Son of a Gun will be directed by Gabriel Barre, who directed the original New York productions of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, Summer of '42, john & jen and Almost, Maine as well as the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn's Tears of Heaven. Scenic and projection design is by Caite Hevner (Triassic Parq). Lighting design is by Alan Edwards. Costume design is by Leon Dobkowski (Shrek The Musical, The Little Mermaid assistant designer). Props design is by Sarah Dowling. Colin Miller (Accomplice) is the production stage manager.

Son of a Gun will be presented at the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row, located at 410 West 42nd Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues. Tickets ($19.25) are available by visiting www.TheatreRow.org or www.Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

In 2009, Firebone Theatre began developing a new musical called Son of a Khrusty (now called Son of a Gun). In 2010, Firebone's Founding Artistic Director was awarded a Drama League New Directors New Works Award to assist in this development of Son of a Gun. The award consisted of a grant and a mentor for the project, Christie Evangelisto, former director of Musical Theatre Development at Playwrights Horizons and current Literary Director for Signature Theatre Company. Firebone produced a musical reading at Playwrights Horizons in September 2010. Subsequently, The Public Theater invited Firebone Theatre to produce a one-night concert reading at Joe's Pub in May 2011.

That spring, the O'Neill National Music Theater Conference invited Son of a Gun to join the 2011 summer season, an honor previously awarded to the Tony Award-Winning Best Musicals In The Heights and Avenue Q. The Eugene O'Neill Center brought in Gabriel Barre as director, several new cast members and a team of dramaturgs to work with the authors. Chaffer won the Georgia Bogardus Holof Award for his lyrics and Barre has been with the project ever since.

In addition to the O'Neill award, Son of a Gun received recognition from the Yale School of Drama as a Yale Music Theatre Institute Finalist and from the American Academy of Arts and Letters as a Richard Rogers Music Theatre Award Finalist.

Firebone Theatre (Joshua Alan, Artistic Director / Amelia Peterson, Associate Artistic Director) creates theater experiences that confront the timeless questions of human mortality (bone) and divine immortality (fire). The company is committed to cultivating new work and new talent, using both to engage the community in open dialogue about life, death and spirit. Firebone Theatre is also committed to service and educational programs aimed at empowering young people through the theatrical arts. Firebone shows have received two New York Innovative Theatre Award nominations and one win and a Drama League Fellowship.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.