Claybourne Elder, Sara Jean Ford and More Star in York Theatre Company's HOLLYWOOD PINAFORE, Now thru 3/3

The York Theatre Company continues the Winter 2013 Musicals in Mufti Series with Hollywood Pinafore, with book & lyrics by George S. Kaufman and music by Sir Arthur Sullivan. Hollywood Pinafore was originally produced in 1945. Directed by Mark Kaufmann and with music direction by Beth Falcone, the cast will feature Susan Blommaert, Claybourne Elder, Jennifer Evans, Sara Jean Ford, Tom Galantich, Julie Kotarides, Dennis Parlato, Andrew Ragone, Kilty Reidy, Danny Rutigliano and Mary Stout.

The limited engagement will play 5 performances only, tonight, March 1 -3, 2013. at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Hollywood Pinafore is George S. Kaufman's 1945 transplant of Gilbert & Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore" from the world of British maritime to a Hollywood movie studio. Arthur Sullivan's sparkling score is wed with Kaufman's canny, hilarious lyrics, making for a merry trip through the glamour and absurdity of Hollywood. Kaufman translates the original story of a naval captain's daughter, in love with a lowly sailor while promised to "The ruler of the Queen's na-vee", to that of a director's self-involved movie star daughter, in love with a lowly writer, while promised to the clueless studio head. The action plays amidst a swirl of Hollywood types, including a daffy gossip columnist, a bundle of sunshine publicist, and a devious, sharp-as-a-tack agent-who is, naturally, the villain of the piece. Kaufman's wit is on full display in this delightful satire, complete with a surprising Hollywood ending.

The performance schedule for Hollywood Pinafore is: Friday at 8:00 p.m., *Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and *Sunday at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. (*Audience discussions follow all matinee performances).
Tickets are priced at $39.50 and are available online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Monday through Friday (12-6 PM).

The York Theatre Company's acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series of musical theatre gems, in a simply-staged, book-in-hand concert format, has presented over 80 shows from the past in its eighteen-year history. Mufti means: "in street clothes, without the trappings associated with the original full productions."

Musicals in Mufti will continue with Happy Hunting (Lindsay & Crouse/Dubey/Karr), starring KLea Blackhurst, (March 15-17, 2013), and Silk Stockings (Kaufman/MacGrath/Porter), (March 22-24, 2013) at The York Theatre Company at its home in Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). The Winter Mufti Series opened with Two By Two (Peter Stone & Martin Charnin/Richard Rodgers) starring Jason Alexander, Frank Calamaro, Natalie Cortez, Claybourne Elder, Tovah Feldshuh, Ruthie Ann Miles, Tiffan Borelli and Josh Tower.

For additional information on Musicals in Mufti, please visit www.yorktheatre.org.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City-and one of very few in the world-dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its Mainstage Series-most of them world, American, or New York premieres-by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 35 cast recordings from The York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and its acclaimed revivals of Closer Than Ever, Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.

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