Opel, Ragusa, Gertner Lead SUMMER SCHLOCK Reading May 26

Casting has been announced for the upcoming reading of the new musical comedy Summer Schlock, with book, music, and lyrics by Kevin Carter (That's Andy), directed by Tony Award-winning director/producer Andy Sandberg (Hair, The Last Smoker in America) with music direction by Andy Einhorn.

The cast will feature Tony Award-nominee Nancy Opel (Urinetown; Memphis; The Toxic Avenger) with Mitch Dean (Altar Boyz), Danielle Frimer (Wallenberg), Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon; Ordinary Days), Eric William Morris (Mamma Mia; Bloodsong of Love), Daniel Oreskes (Billy Elliot; A Perfect Future), and Michele Ragusa (Young Frankenstein; Adrift in Macao). The invitation-only presentations are set for Thursday afternoon, May 26th.

SYNOPSIS:
Summer Schlock follows the escapades of seven characters during one ridiculously frantic week in 1977 at The Wooden Barn Theatre in Beaver Creek. Even though each character marches to their own drummer, they are all tethered in one way or another to their theatrical, manipulative artistic director, Amanda Lemonpore. When a drunken accident intercedes, they all learn to trust their individual strengths and stand on their own two feet.

BIOS:
Kevin Carter (Book, Music, Lyrics) is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, with a BA in theatre from San Francisco State University. He started composing in the 80's with his a cappella group The Flips, who opened for The Righteous Brothers, Chris Isaak, and others. Their album "What's In The Bright Pink Box" will be re-released soon on iTunes. Moving to NYC in 1991, Kevin pursued an acting career, working in numerous regional theatres and tours around the country. In 2000, he was accepted into the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. His musicals include The Awful Fate Of Melpomenus Jones (music: Carter, lyrics: Kim Lindsay, book: Carter/Lindsay); Gemini (music/lyrics: Carter, book: Albert Innaurato and Carter); and That's Andy (music/additional lyrics: Carter, Book/Lyrics: Crystal Skillman, Conceived and additional material: Bobby Cronin). Current projects: Summer Schlock, as well as Newsadoozies (Book/Lyrics: Brian Glidewell and Marcy Jarreau, Music: Carter), soon to be presented at the UCB Theatre in New York. Kevin's music has been performed in numerous New Composer showcases in NYC. A BC/EFA benefit concert of his music, "Picking Up Where We Left Off," starred Beth Leavel and Kelli Sawyer. In addition, Kevin has been honored to have his music sung by the likes of Hugh Panaro, Laura Bell Bundy, George Dvorsky, Burke Moses, Barbara Walsh, and Joan Barber.

Andy Sandberg (Director) recently directed the world premiere of The Last Smoker in America, by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and Drama Desk nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao); New York premiere in 2011. Sandberg has been represented on Broadway and London's West End as a producer of HAIR: (2009 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Awards). As a director, his other recent credits include R.R.R.E.D. (NYMF), Bernice Bobs Her Mullet (NYMF), Into the Woods (Blue Hill Troupe), "Eli's Comin' to Broadway," a BC/EFA benefit hosted by Nathan Lane (Lincoln Center), and multiple Sing for Hope benefits featuring the talents of Dick Cavett, Michael Cerveris, and Richard Kind, among others. Recent Workshops/Readings: Operation Epsilon, Garbo & Me, and Mother Russia. Upcoming: Straight and Shida. As producer: A Perfect Future (Cherry Lane Theatre; dir. Wilson Milam), Vigil, starring Tony nominees Malcolm Gets and Helen Stenborg; Paradise Found (Menier Chocolate Factory, London; dir. Hal Prince and Susan Stroman). In 2007, Sandberg worked with Hal Prince on the Broadway production of LoveMusik (SDCF Observership). B.A. Yale University. Proud member of the SDC and AEA. He currently sits on the boards of Sing for Hope, The Yale Dramat, and The Whiffenpoof Alumni.

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