The York Theatre Company Presents Reading Of New Musical TYRANTS

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the rediscovery of musical gems from the past, as part of its acclaimed NEO Reading Series, an ever-growing, one-of-a-kind program dedicated to helping and propelling new, emerging, and outstanding musical theatre writers, in association with Penn State Musical Theatre, will present a staged reading of the new musical Tyrants, with music and lyrics by 2017-2018 NEO writer Alexander Sage Oyen and book by S.P. Monahan (Diva: Live From Hell) for ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The reading is free and open to the public on the day of the presentation. Advance reservations are available with a minimum suggested donation of $10.00 fee for each reading (Advance reservations are complimentary for York Theatre's Plus Members; $5 for York Theatre Members).

Directed by John Simpkins (The Black Suits), and with music direction by Emily Erickson (Violet), the cast will feature Jack Bowman (Liar's Dice), Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (A Little Night Music), Lauren Marcus (Be More Chill), Spencer Davis Milford (The Winslow Boy), Jackie Sanders (The Taming of the Shrew), A.J. Shively (Bright Star), Caleb Smith (The Spearhead Effect), Steve Snyder (Head of Acting at Penn State University), RJ Vaillancourt (Saint Joan), Jason Veasey (The Lion King), and Sally Wilfert (Assassins).

Tyrants simultaneously charts two periods in the life of Edwin Booth: his adolescence on the road with his abusive father, the legendary actor Junius Brutus Booth, and his struggles with depression and addiction later in life, when he's a famous actor in his own right. When his brother, John Wilkes, ultimately commits the most notorious crime of the nineteenth century, Edwin's anguish and rage threaten to consume him, until he receives a fateful visit from a young journalist and war veteran, Frank Wilkeson.

NEO (an acronym for "New, Emerging, Outstanding") celebrates songwriters primed to pen the next generation of musicals. Since the first NEO concert in 2003-recorded by England's JAY Records-musical theatre fans and York supporters eagerly anticipate each incarnation. Since 2012, each season's NEO program has focused on a smaller group of writers, presenting multiple songs by each in a kickoff concert, followed by a series of fully-funded readings of works in progress.

Currently on The York's Mainstage is the Off-Broadway premiere of the acclaimed new musical Midnight at The Never Get, with book, music, and lyrics by Mark Sonnenblick, co-conceived by Sam Bolen, by arrangement with Visceral Entertainment and Mark Cortale Productions. Directed by Max Friedman, with choreography by Andrew Palermo, and music direction/arrangements by Adam Podd, the cast features Sam Bolen, Jeremy Cohen, and Jon J. Peterson for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, November 4, 2018.

A brand-new musical by York NEO writer and 2018 Jonathan Larson Award winner Mark Sonnenblick, Midnight at The Never Get tells the story of singer Trevor Copeland and songwriter Arthur Brightman, who have the perfect New York romance. That's swell. In 1965, it's also against the law. So, in the back room of The Never Get, an illegal Greenwich Village gay bar, they put together a show called Midnight-a nightclub act where Trevor sings Arthur's love songs with their male pronouns intact. But as the lovers hurtle toward the end of the decade, they find themselves caught in a passion they can't control and a political revolution they don't understand.

Featuring a seductive score inspired by the Great American Songbook, Midnight at The Never Get is a sultry meditation on identity, memory, and enduring romance.

Tickets for Midnight at The Never Get are priced at $67.50* - $72.50* and may be purchased by calling (212) 935-5820 online at www.yorktheatre.org, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Monday through Friday (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.). Senior Rush tickets are available in-person beginning one hour prior to performances for $20 cash only. Student rush tickets can be purchased anytime in advance at the box office during regular box office business hours. Limit one ticket per valid student ID and tickets are subject to availability. Student Rush tickets are $20.00 cash or credit. The York Theatre also offers $25 tickets for guests aged 35 years and under. Groups of 10 or more, contact Great White Way at 212-757-9117, or GreatWhiteWay.com. (*York Members receive Priority Seating and Discounted Tickets.)

The York Theatre Company offers the York! Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $75.00-with elite benefits that include up to 35% off tickets to York Theatre Productions, exclusive Member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special Member-only receptions. The York also offers a York Plus! Membership Program with additional perks, including complimentary tickets to Mainstage productions and invites to several VIP-only presentations throughout the season.

York Memberships can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by visiting The York Theatre Company Box Office (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), or by calling the Box Office at (212) 935-5820 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

York Theatre Company Holiday Gift Cards are available for any production by visiting the box office or calling (212) 935-5820, or online at www.yorktheatre.org

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 The York Theatre Company productions 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, and Rothschild & Sons. The critically acclaimed musical Yank!, which received its Off-Broadway debut at The York in 2010, recently opened to rave reviews in London as did York's Rothschild & Sons. The hit musical Cagney received its York premiere in 2015 and subsequently transferred to The Westside Theatre for over 15 months. Desperate Measures, the hit new musical from 2017, received a total of 14 award nominations that included "Best Musical" from the Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, Drama Desk and Off-Broadway Alliance and, subsequently, transferred across town to New World Stages, where performances began May 30, 2018. Unexpected Joy, after its run at the York, has just completed performances at London's Southwark Playhouse.

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