'BOOTH!' Holds NY Premiere at Skirball Center 6/2 - 6/7

Booth! an exciting new musical, will have its New York premiere at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University from June 2 through June 7. An examination of the life of 19th Century maverick actor Edwin Booth, Booth! features music by noted composer Barbara Harbach and lyrics by Jonathan Yordy, with book and direction by Niyi Coker, Jr. James Richards conducts. The Cast includes Jan Prokop, Keith Boyer, Amanda Boyer, Jessica Marsco and Kyle Minshew.

As told from the perspective of his daughter, Edwina, Booth! chronicles the tortured existechronicles the tortured existence of the brilliant American actor Edwin Booth. Undoubtedly, the infamous assassination of Abraham Lincoln by his brother, John Wilkes, plays a major part in shaping and influencing Edwina's exploration of the life of her father. Booth! is a musical voyage into the sometimes disturbing relationships that defined Edwin as son, husband, father, brother and actor.

Booth!, which had its world premiere in 2007 at the University of Missouri - St. Louis was selected by the NYU Theatre Department from among 100 other nominees nationwide to make its New York premiere. The New York production is presented by the University of Missouri-St. Louis in association with NYU Africana Program. As a composer, Barbara Harbach has a large catalog of works, including symphonies, works for chamber ensemble, string orchestra, organ, harpsichord, musicals, choral anthems, film scores, modern ballets, and many arrangements for brass and organ of various Baroque works.

Lyricist Jonathan Yordy is Executive Director of Major Gifts at Lewis University in Illinois. Most recently he was in Public Relations at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and he has served on the English faculty at Viterbo University, University of Wisconsin-Marshfield, and Buffalo State College.
Niyi Coker, Jr. directed the off-Broadway productions of Ola Rotimi's The Gods Are Not to Blame at the Nat Horne Theatre and Lewis Nkosi's The Psychiatrist" at the John Houseman Theatre. He received British Council Grant and Support in writing the play, Endangered Species, which was also produced at John Houseman Theatre and toured several theatres in the United Kingdom. Niyi Coker is the E. Desmond Lee Distinguished Professor of Theatre and Media Studies, and, African/African-American Studies at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He is the founding Artistic Director of the African Arts Ensemble in New York City.

Booth! will be performed at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University Tuesday, June 2 through Saturday, June 6 at 8 pm and on Sunday, June 7 at 2 pm. Tickets at $30 can be purchased by calling 212-352-3101; online at www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu/page/tickets; or in person at the Skirball Center's Shagan Box Office. Please contact the Box Office regarding student discounted tickets. New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South).

Booth! music by Barbara Harbach, lyrics by Jonathan Yordy, with book and direction by Niyi Coker, Jr. Tuesday, June 2 through Saturday, June 6 at 8pm, Sunday, June 7 at 2pm at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South)

Tickets: $30. Tickets can be purchased on the center's website, by phone, or at the box office from noon to 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Contact the Box Office regarding student discounted tickets.

Details: (212) 352-3101 or www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu

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