Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of The York Theatre Musicals in Mufti Series' BAR MITZVAH BOY

Mazel Tov! The Jule Styne Celebration Continues! The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the preservation of musical gems from the past, presents the rarely-seen musical Bar Mitzvah Boy, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Tony and Oscar winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard), and book by Jack Rosenthal(Yentl), as adapted by David Thompson (The Scottsboro Boys), the second of three shows in the Winter 2018 Musicals in Mufti Series celebrating the work of composer Jule Styne. Performances began February 10, 2018 for 11 performances only through Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night was Sunday evening, February 11, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Check out photos from the night below!

Directed by Annette Jolles (Mark Felt, Superstar!), and with music direction by Darren R. Cohen (Man of La Mancha at Barrington Stage), the eight-member cast will feature Julie Benko (Fiddler on the Roof) as Lesley Green, Neal Benari (Aida) as Rabbi Sherman, Ned Eisenberg ("Law and Order: SVU") as Victor Green, Ben Fankhauser (York's Saturday Night) as Harold, Tim Jerome (The Phantom of the Opera) as Grandad, Peyton Lusk(Falsettos) as Eliot Green, Casey Watkins (A Christmas Story) as Denise, and Lori Wilner(A Catered Affair) as Rita Green.

Based on Rosenthal's award-winning 1976 BBC1 teleplay of the same name, Bar Mitzvah Boy is a bittersweet musical comedy about a young Jewish Londoner who runs away from the Bar Mitzvah into which his parents have poured their efforts and their money. Looking at the adult world, Eliot Green doubts if he can cope with being a part of it. Rosenthal's hysterical story of a family's anxious build up to their only son's Bar Mitzvah will resonate with many Jewish families, but this classic tale speaks loudly for any important family occasion-whatever the religion. Originally produced at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End in 1978, Bar Mitzvah Boy is composer Jule Styne's only musical written expressly for London, and this presentation marks the New York premiere of a new version first presented in London in 2016, with a book adapted by David Thompsonand new songs with lyrics by Black, using previously unheard Styne melodies.

The creative team includes Graham Kindred (Lighting Designer) and Kevin Maloof(Production Manager). The Production Stage Manager is Shanna Allison with Assistant Stage Manager Chris Steckel. Casting director is Geoff Josselson, CSA.

The York Theatre Company's acclaimed Musicals in Mufti series of musical theatre gems, performed in a simply-staged, book-in-hand concert format, is celebrating its twenty-fourth historic year of worthy shows from the past that deserve a second look. Mufti means "in street clothes, without the trappings of a full production."

Bar Mitzvah Boy will play the following 11-performance schedule- First Week: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 & 7:00 p.m. Opening; Second Week: Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., Thursday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The Winter 2018 series concludes with the 1961 Broadway musical Subways Are for Sleeping with music by Jule Styne and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, suggested by the book by Edmund G. Love. Originally produced by David Merrick, Subways tells the tale of Angie, a reporter sent to get the scoop on a segment of NYC society-a group of well-dressed homeless people sleeping in the New York subway system-that lives by their own rules. Going undercover, Angie learns how the carefree other half lives and begins to see there might be another way to experience the world. Subways Are for Sleeping is perhaps best known for an infamous publicity stunt in which Merrick invited New Yorkers with the same names as some of the prominent theatre critics at the time, using their favorable reviews in a print ad. Stuart Ross (Enter Laughing) will direct, with music direction by David Hancock Turner(Desperate Measures). Performances begin Saturday afternoon, February 24, 2018 for 11 performances only through March 4, 2018.

Single tickets are now on sale for the Winter 2018 Musicals in Mufti series and priced at $45 (Weekdays and Saturday nights), and $50 (Weekend matinees). York Member single tickets are priced at $31.50 (all performances). Single tickets for the cabaret The Music ofJule Styne are priced at $30. Tickets be purchased 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 (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.).

In addition, The York Theatre Company will present an evening of song celebrating the composer's further catalog with a special cabaret, The Music of Jule Styne, conceived and music directed by Ron Abel (Me and Ella; Hazel, A Musical Maid in America) on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

With the scores of such Broadway classics as Gypsy, Funny Girl, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Peter Pan, and Bells Are Ringing to his credit, composer Jule Styne ranks as one of the undisputed architects of the American musical theatre. The York continues its Jule Styne celebration with an intimate evening dedicated to the man behind such showstoppers and standards as "Three Coins in the Fountain," "The Party's Over," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "People," "Diamond Are a Girl's Best Friend," and much much more! The special lineup of performers features George Dvorsky (York's Closer Than Ever), Hannah Rose DeFlumeri (Bullets Over Broadway), Ty Stephens (From My Hometown), and Drama Desk Award winner Barbara Walsh (Falsettos).

Single tickets for the cabaret The Music of Jule Styne are priced at $30. Special York Member Prices: $10 for York Plus! Members and $15 for York! Members. Tickets be purchased 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 (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.).

For additional information, please visit www.yorktheatre.org

The York Theatre Company is the only theatre 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 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 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. Almost 40 cast recordings from York Theatre Companyproductions are now available on CD, including its acclaimed revival of Closer Than Ever (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival); commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and Jolson & Company, and revivals of Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of The York and its programs. Recent New York premieres have included Marry Harry, A Taste of Things to Come, Rothschild & Sons, and Desperate Measures which just completed a three and a half month extended run. The critically acclaimed musical Yank!, which received its Off-Broadway debut at The York in 2010, recently opened to rave reviews in London, and the hit musical Cagney, which received its York premiere in 2015 and subsequently transferred to The Westside Theatre for over 15 months, has just concluded a limited engagement in Los Angeles.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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