Matt Bailey, Tim Ford Lead York's WICKED MOON Reading 12/1

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) announces casting for the next offering in its Developmental Reading Series, Wicked Moon, on Thursday, December 1. More information on readings (including information on obtaining invitations to the York’s Reading Series) can be found online at yorktheatre.org.

Wicked Moon

Music by Varick Bacon

Lyrics by Powers McElhone

Book by Richard Aellen

Thursday, December 1, 2011 • 1:30 PM

This reading is directed by Pamela Hunt (The Musical of Musicals!) with music direction by David John Madore. The cast will include: Matt Bailey (Jersey Boys National Tour), Tim Ford, Amy Griffin (Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), Michael McCormick (Curtains), Luba Mason (Jekyll and Hyde), Jim Stanek (Little Women), and Jessica Waxman.

Meet Arlene Lewis, owner of the Wicked Moon cabaret. Her niece is engaged to marry the wrong man, her best friend would rather talk like a man than trust one, and now the landlord wants to turn the Moon into a sex shop. Add to that a charming Musical Director and a strong-arm man with unusual affinities and the stage is set for a tumultuous weekend in which Arlene must confront her past to discover if she has the courage to take a second chance on love. A romantic comedy for anyone who has taken a chance on love and lived to tell about it.

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. Over the last two seasons, York productions and artists have been nominated for a combined 19 Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Off-Broadway Alliance, AUDELCO and Callaway Awards (and its productions of Yank! A WWII Love Story and Enter Laughing, The Musical have both been announced for Broadway). 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 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 Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.

Each year, York’s Developmental Reading Series presents between 30 to 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors. Producing Artistic Director James Morgan says, ?These readings give writers a unique opportunity to get audience feedback while a show is still in progress.? York’s past Mainstage productions of Yank!, Souvenir and The Musical of Musicals! were first developed in the Developmental Reading Series, where the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q also made its first appearances. The Developmental Reading Series is made possible in part by The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s

Enter on 54th Street Just East of Lexington

E or M train to Lexington Avenue or 6 train to 51st Street

www.yorktheatre.org

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