Joe Iconis' BLOODSONG OF LOVE Opens At Ars Nova Tonight 4/15

Ars Nova, under the leadership of Artistic Director Jason Eagan, will present the world premiere of the new musical BLOODSONG OF LOVE with book, music & lyrics by Joe Iconis and directed by John Simpkins. BLOODSONG OF LOVE, which was commissioned and developed by Ars Nova, began previews on April 1st prior to an official press opening of April 15th at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues) in Manhattan.

In a blood and whiskey-soaked world of shoot 'em ups, stolen brides and kazoo-wielding villains, a rogue musician with a killer guitar is out to set things right. Joe Iconis infuses BLOODSONG OF LOVE with his infectious musical style, making this rocked out spaghetti western the wildest funeral in town.

Directed by John Simpkins, the cast of BLOODSONG OF LOVE features Katrina Rose Dideriksen (Broadway -- Tracey Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY; Jerry Springer THE OPERA at Carnegie Hall), MK Lawson (42ND STREET), Eric William Morris (Broadway - MAMMA MIA!, CORAM BOY), Jeremy Morse, Lance Rubin (THINGS TO RUIN at Second Stage) and Jason 'SweetTooth' Williams (Mac Wellman's HARM'S WAY). The creative team includes Michael Schweikardt (set design); Michelle Humphrey (costume design); Chris Dallos (lighting design); Jonathan Weston (sound design); Eric Reynolds (prop design); Jen Werner (choreography); and Matt Hinkley (music direction).

Ars Nova has announced that the Thursday, April 29 and Thursday, May 6 performances will include After the Blood: A Talk Back with the Cast and Creative Team of Bloodsong of Love, following that evening's performance.

The cast and creative team is also scheduled to perform a special concert at the Housing Work's Hell's Kitchen at 730-732 Ninth Avenue (between 49th and 50th streets) on Tuesday April 20th from 5 to 7pm.

Called "a prolific composer...the buzz that surrounds Mr. Iconis recalls the excitement that in earlier days surrounded Marc Shaiman, [Jonathan] Larson, and Jason Robert Brown," by the New York Times, Joe Iconis is already the recipient of the 2007 Ed Kleban Award for the most promising musical theater lyricist and for the most promising musical theater librettist; a 2006 Jonathan Larson Award which honors emerging composers, lyricists and book writers; the 2006 The Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award for his musical PLASTIC! The Musical; and both a 2007 Backstage Bistro Award and a 2007 Nightlife Award for TRIUMPHANT BABY!. Mr. Iconis' credits include, THE BLACK SUITS (SPF - The Public), PLASTIC! The Musical (York Theater), TRIUMPHANT BABY!, REWRITE (Urban Stages), THE PLANT THAT ATE DIRTY SOCKS (TheatreworksUSA - Lucille Lortel) and THINGS TO RUIN (Second Stage, Zipper Factory). Additionally, Mr. Iconis is a concert performer, performing with his musical theater family or as part of the "Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree" at The Laurie Beechman Theater and Joe's Pub.

John Simpkins (Director) has directed four additional works of Joe Iconis - REWRITE (Urban Stages); THE PLANT THAT ATE DIRTY SOCKS (TheatreworksUSA - Lucille Lortel); THINGS TO RUIN (Second Stage, Zipper Factory); THE BLACK SUITS (SPF - The Public). Additional directing credits include: ANNIE and CABARET (Sacramento Music Circus); EVITA (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma); NEXT THING YOU KNOW (Ars Nova); HALF MARRIED and YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (York Theatre); etc. Mr. Simpkins is part of the music theatre faculty at NYU.

Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theatre, comedy and music artists in the Early Stages of their professional careers. Our unique development programs are designed to support outside-the-box thinking and encourage innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a safe environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work. For more information on Ars Nova's programs, visit www.arsnovanyc.com.

Producing credits include: MISSED CONNECTIONS NYC, ANT FEST, SAX & DIXON: WE THEE WED, MEL & EL: SHOW & TELL, TWO GIRLS FOR FIVE BUCKS AND THE TEN DOLLAR HEARTBREAKERS, PLAYLIST, JOLLYSHIP THE WHIZ-BANG, BOOM, FROM UP HERE, DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY, AT LEAST IT'S PINK, 25 QUESTIONS FOR A JEWISH MOTHER, HOLY CROSS SUCKS!, FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME and THE WAU WAU SISTERS.

Scheduled April 1st through May 9th, performances of BLOODSONG OF LOVE run Wednesdays through Sundays at 8:00pm. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased by calling 212-352-3101, online at www.arsnovananyc.com, or in person at the Ars Nova box office (511 West 54th Street), thirty minutes prior to curtain (subject to availability). Additionally, a limited number of $10 rush tickets will be available for each performance of BLOODSONG OF LOVE - pending ticket availability. Rush tickets are cash only, must be purchased at the Ars Nova Box Office beginning thirty minutes prior to the performance, and are limited to two tickets per person.

For additional information, please visit www.arsnovananyc.com

Photo credit Monica Simoes

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