Scott Ahearn, Donna English, and More Lead Cast of CHRISTMAS IN HELL

The York Theatre Company presents the world premiere of the new musical comedy Christmas in Hell with book, music, and lyrics by Gary Apple ("The Simpsons"), with direction and choreography by Bill Castellino (Desperate Measures, York/New World Stages) and music direction, music supervision, and arrangements by Logan Medland (National Tours of Cats and Crazy for You). The eight-member cast will feature Scott Ahearn (Under the Knife: A Farce, Theater for the New City) as Richard, Donna English (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Broadway) as Mrs. Huvey, Lori Hammel (Mamma Mia!, Broadway) as Galiana, Elijah Rayman (Oliver, Goodspeed Opera House) as Davin, Zak Risinger (The Cradle Will Rock, Howl! Arts) as Carl, Brandon Williams (Gettin' the Band Back Together, Broadway) as Lucifer, Dathan B. Williams (Show Boat, Broadway) as Detective Zanderhoff, and Ron Wisniski (Beauty and the Beast, Broadway) as Principal Bolton

Performances begin Tuesday, December 4, 2018 for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, December 30, 2018 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Thursday evening, December 13, 2018 at 6:45 p.m.

Looking for a sweet, wholesome holiday musical? Well, this ain't it! On Christmas Eve, little eight-year-old Davin is mistakenly taken down to Hell. When he returns, not only has he missed Christmas, but he is devilishly changed. To set things right, his father embarks on a hilarious and outrageous odyssey that eventually leads him down to Hell, where he makes a wager with the Devil he can't possibly win. Christmas in Hell, with book, music, and lyrics by Gary Apple, is a wild, irreverent, and surprisingly touching musical comedy about the absurd lengths we'll go to for the ones we love. After award-winning appearances at the NY Fringe Festival and NYMF, Christmas in Hell now arrives at The York for a full production, way more naughty than nice.

The creative team includes James Morgan (Set Design), Tyler M. Holland (Costume Design), Yael Lubetzky (Lighting Design), Julian Evans (Sound Design), Zach Serafin (Props Design), and Kevin Maloof (Production Manager). Production Stage Manager is Arthur Atkinson and the Assistant Stage Manager is Rhonda Picou. Carol Hanzel is Casting Director. Christmas in Hell is produced in association with Xmas in Hell LLC, La Vie Productions, and Yelena Raykhman.

Christmas in Hell will play the following performance schedule: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., Thursday at 2:30 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. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no performance on Tuesday, December 25.

Tickets for Christmas in Hell are priced at $67.50 - $72.50 and may be purchased by calling (212) 935-5820, online at www.yorktheatre.org

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Scott Ahearn (Richard) Tours: Grease (Europe), Divorce Party (L.A., Toronto). New York: Nutracker! (Amas Musical Theatre), Composure (Workshop Theatre), Under the Knife: A Farce (Theatre for the New City). Regional: Ogunquit Playhouse (Chicago), Arvada Center (The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Forever Plaid), Phoenix Theatre (Best Little Whorehouse), Triad Stage (Dirty Blonde). Film: Soon to be seen in M. Night Shyamalan's Glass. www.scottahearn.net

Donna English (Mrs. Huvey). Broadway: Living on Love, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Lend Me A Tenor, Broadway. Off Broadway: Madame X (NYMF Outstanding Performance Award) Taking a Chance On Love, Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back! and Ruthless! (Drama Desk Award nomination). Her extensive regional credits include principle roles at Long Wharf, Repertory Theatre of St Louis, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Musicals, and 5th Avenue. She's a proud alumni of Northwestern University.

Lori Hammel (Galiana) Broadway/National Tours: Mamma Mia!, 9 to 5 The Musical, I Love Lucy Live (Ethel Mertz). Off-Broadway: Unraveled, Unbroken Circle, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, The Bardy Bunch, Forbidden Broadway (cast album). Film: Burn After Reading, Puzzle. TV: "Master of None," "30 Rock," "Colbert," "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee." NY Fringe Excellence in Acting Award, Jeff Award, two Jeff nominations, two After Dark Awards, SAG-AFTRA Joseph C. Riley Service Award. www.lorihammel.com

Elijah Rayman (Davin) found his passion for music and theatre at a very early age. He has been in productions ever since he was 5 years old, including the latest role of Oliver in Oliver! at Goodspeed Musicals and Mamillius in TFANA's The Winter's Tale.

Zak Risinger (Carl) is pumped to bring Hell Off-Brodway this holiday season! He originated the role of Carl at the NY Fringe Festival and NYMF. Other favorite credits include Ralph (Reefer Madness), Ugly (HONK!), Motel (Fiddler on the Roof), and Vertumnus (Metamorphoses). @zakesinger

Brandon Williams (Lucifer) Most recently, Brandon starred on Broadway playing the leading role of Tygen in Gettin' the Band Back Together. Brandon is a stand-up comic with his own web series called The Stay at Home Dad. He has also guest starred on numerous episodics and has been on Conan O'Brien's show a number of times.

Dathan B. Williams (Detective Zanderhoff) York Theatre: Hallelujah, Baby!. Broadway: Show Boat. Off-Broadway: Show Boat in Concert (Carnegie Hall), Nathan the Wise, Buffalo Gal, plus five others. National Tour: Show Boat plus three others. International: Stratford Festival ('91 Guthrie Award). Recent Regional: The Prince of Egypt, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Secret Garden. Associate Artistic Director of The Harlem Shakespeare Festival.

Ron Wisniski (Principal Bolton) last appeared at York Theatre Company in George Abbott's Frankie in 1989. National tours: Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), two tours of Annie (FDR), and Tintypes (Teddy Roosevelt). His other credits number more than 200 plays and musicals at theatres nationwide including Goodspeed Musicals, Sacramento Music Circus, Riverside Theatre, North Shore, Arrow Rock, Paper Mill, Walnut Street, and Syracuse Stage. To learn more about the strange exotic life of an elderly character actor, visit RonWisniski.com.

Gary Apple (Book/Music/Lyrics) is a comedy writer, who has worked on television sitcoms, variety shows, and many animated programs (including "The Simpsons"). His one-act plays, including When God Comes For Breakfast You Don't Burn The Toast, are published by Samuel French and have received hundreds of productions nationwide. Gary is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and the BMI Librettist Workshop. Christmas In Hell was awarded the Show-Score Best of Fest Award in the 2017 New York Musical Festival.

Bill Castellino (Director/Choreographer) directed these World Premieres: Cagney, Passion Nation, Soulmates, Great Divorce, Grumpy Old Men, Jolson, Dr. Radio, Lizzie Borden, Heartbeats, Miklat, Fishwrap, House Divided, Singing Weatherman, Happy Holidays, Presidents, and others. Also: Desperate Measures, Marry Harry, Storyville, Ionescopade, Tarzan, Rent, Gypsy, The Rocky Horror Show, Carousel, Godspell, The Music Man, West Side Story, Joseph..., The Who's Tommy, The Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Hair, Fame, Chess, and others. He has been nominated and won many awards, written eleven musicals, directed TV specials and produced events worldwide.

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