Photo Flash: Opening Night of 'Goodtime Charley'

The York Theatre Company, (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), presented GOODTIME CHARLEY, the latest show in its acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances. 'Mufti' (pronounced MUFF' tee) means "in street clothes; without the usual trappings."  With music by Larry Grossman, book by Sidney Michaels and lyrics by Hal Hackady, GOODTIME CHARLEY played June 27-29 for five performances only at the Theatre at Saint Peter's, 619 Lexington Avenue (Southeast corner of Lexington & 54th Street).   For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.yorktheatre.org.

The cast featured:  Jenn Colella (Beebo Brinker Chronicles, High Fidelity) as Joan and Matt McGrath (Williamstown's Beyond Therapy, Cabaret) as Charley, as well as Angela DiCicco, Bryn Dowling (Chicago), William Thomas Evans (Tale of Two Cities), Jonathan Hammond (Light in the Piazza), Stephen Mo Hanan (Jolson & Company, Cats), Ana Nogueira, Scott Robertson (Boys from Syracuse) Christianne Tisdale (Fanny Hill), Alysha Umphress (Make Me a Song), Michael Winther (Mamma Mia!) and Nick Wyman (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).  Lawrence Yurman is music director, and Michael Montel directs.

From Broadway's 1975 season where it garnered 7 Tony nominations and 7 Drama Desk nominations, GOODTIME CHARLEY tells the story of easygoing milquetoast Charley, the monarch of France, whose country is contolled by corrupt officials — until the simple peasant girl Joan appears.  She befriends Charley, dons armor, and leads the French army to victory, until her relationship with Charley succumbs to intrigue and distrust.  Legendary figures come to life in this hysterically funny and deeply touching story of friends torn apart by the forces of history.

Over the past 14 years, the York's Musicals in Mufti Series has presented more concert productions of musicals than any other series in the world. This Mufti series is made up of shows with music by composer Larry Grossman and features three of his shows: Minnie's Boys, Grind and Goodtime Charley (June 27-29).  These will be followed by the premiere of Compose Yourself! (July 11-13), a revue of songs Grossman has written for stage, screen and television that will introduce the York's latest series, New2NY—New York City premieres of musicals in staged concert performances. Compose Yourself! will be directed by Stuart Ross, with Larry Grossman himself at the piano.

The York 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 shows from the past.  For almost four decades, the York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and rarely seen 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. Nearly 30 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD. Commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. York's Musicals in Mufti Series, which offers rarely seen works from the past, has produced more titles than any other musical theatre concert series, and is the only series that has presented works from on Broadway and Off-, as well as from London's West End. The Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q made its first appearance as part of York's Developmental Reading Series, which presents over 40 free readings of new musicals every year.

Director Michael Montel and Michael Winther

Angela DeCicco, Michael Winther, Bryn Dowing, and Director Michael Montel

William Thomas Evans, Scott Robertson, and Director Michael Montel

Jenn Colella and composer Larry Grossman

Producing Artistic Director, Jim Morgan, composer Larry Grossman, lyricist Hal Hackady, Jenn Colella, Matt McGrath, and Michael Montel

Stephen Mo Hanan and Nick Wyman

Elliot Ames, Ruth Zimmerman Klatzko, Chairman of the Board David McCoy, and York Board Member Bernie Carragher

Jenn Colella and Matt McGrath