WE ARE THE TIGERS Names Full Cast & Creative Team

Midnight Theatricals has announced full casting and the creative team for WE ARE THE TIGERS, an original pop/rock musical and teen horror comedy written & composed by Preston Max Allen and produced by S. Asher Gelman, that will make its New York Premiere Off-Broadway at Theater 80 (80 St. Mark's Place) this winter. Michael Bello will direct the pitch-black comedy about a dismally low-ranking team of cheerleaders trying to survive the night while being terrorized by a serial killer. Music supervision and arrangements are by Patrick Sulken. The production begins previews on Thursday, February 7, 2019, will have its official opening on Thursday, February 21,2019 and will run through April 17. www.tigersmusical.com

The cast of WE ARE THE TIGERS features Cathy Ang (KPOP), Jenny Rose Baker (Fiddler on the Roof), Cameron Bartell, Kaitlyn Frank (Newsies 1st National Tour & film), Louis Griffin (Cinderella, Straz Center), Zoe Jensen (Polkadots the Cool Kids Musical, 1stNational Tour), Caroline Lellouche, Wonu Ogunfowora (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, A Bronx Tale), Sydney Parra (Cleopatra), Celeste Rose (Unexpected Joy), MiMi Scardulla (Gigantic), Alexia Sielo (Cleopatra), and Lauren Zakrin (Natasha, Pierre..., Rock of Ages, Cruel Intentions).

The creative team features scenic design by Ann Beyersdorfer, costume design by Heather Carey, lighting design by Jamie Roderick, sound design by Josh Liebert, choreography by Katherine Roarty, props design by Alyssa Tryon, and violence design by Matt Franta & Brandon Pugmire. Casting is by Kate Lumpkin Casting. The Musical Director is Geraldine Anello, the Dramaturg is Nina Kauffman, the Production Stage Manager is Jenny Kennedy, and the Assistant Stage Manager is Jenna Lazar. Orchestrations are by Matthew Aument, music supervision and arrangements are by Patrick Sulken, Production Management is by Melanie Guinto, Evan Bernardin Productions and the production's GM is Gwynne Richmond, Evan Bernardin Productions.

"We are beyond thrilled to announce this stellar cast!" says S. Asher Gelman. "In an industry still dominated by men's stories, it's so refreshing to be able to make a musical where literally nine out of the ten roles are women (and yes, it passes the Bechdel test with flying colors)! While the show is, ultimately, the blackest of comedies, it delivers its true message through the exploration of the real issues, vulnerabilities, and pressures teenage women are forced to endure. At its core, "We Are The Tigers" is about the divisiveness that is so often pushed upon all of us and what ultimately happens when we realize how much stronger we are when we come together. We cannot wait to share this hilarious, witty, and touching show with New York!"

A new school year means a new beginning for the Tigers, the worst-ranked high school cheerleading team in the state. First-time captain Riley is determined to rally the girls for a fresh start at the annual team sleepover, but the night takes a viciously bloody turn when three Tigers are found mysteriously murdered. Now a squad that can't even stick a landing has to solve a murder if they want any hope of making it to regionals - or the morning. Featuring an infectious pop/rock score and razor-sharp wit, this new original musical proves the highs and lows of being a teen girl in high school are way more extreme than ever.

WE ARE THE TIGERS received its first workshop at Columbia College Chicago in May 2013. Later that year it saw a self-produced workshop at the Gene Frankel Theatre before staging two 29-hour readings in 2014 and 2015. And in August of 2015, was given developmental residency at Musical Theater Factory. In October 2015, Tigers had its first fully staged production at the Hudson Theater in LA and after being awarded the Ovation Award for best score and being featured in Gallery Players' New Musical Reading Series was presented in concert style at Joe's Pub in the Summer of 2018.

Preston Max Allen is a writer and composer whose work has been featured at Lincoln Center, the New Amsterdam Theatre, Signature Theatre, Musical Theatre Factory, New York Musical Festival, Feinstein's/54 Below, and Joe's Pub. Preston conceived, wrote, and composed We Are The Tigers(Hudson Backstage, L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation winner, Best Lyrics/Composition), Never Better (NYMF Developmental Reading Series), and Carrie 2: The Rage, An Unauthorized Musical Parody (Underscore Theatre, Jeff Nominee Best New Musical). Upcoming projects include music/lyrics/book for Agent 355 (collaborator Jessica Kahkoska) and music/lyrics for Bradical And The Pink Socks.

S. Asher Gelman is a director, choreographer, actor, dancer, playwright, and producer. He wrote, directed, and produced theOff Broadway hit, Afterglow. His next play, safeword., opens Off-Broadway in April. Originally from Chevy Chase, MD, Asher received his bachelor's degree in Dance and Theater from Bard College in New York in 2006 and his Masters in Fine Arts in Dance from The George Washington University in Washington DC in 2012. From 2006 to 2016, Asher lived in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he became one of the founders of The Stage, Tel Aviv's premier English language performing arts organization, serving as its first Artistic Director from 2013 to 2016. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College.

Michael Bello is a Cuban-American director having worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally. He is currently the resident Assistant Director on SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, running on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. He previously directed We Are The Tigers at The Hudson Backstage Theatre, where it received 3 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award nominations including Outstanding Production of a Musical. Additionally, his work has been recognized by the NY Innovative Theatre Awards, Boston's IRNE Awards, and NYMF's Awards for Excellence. As an assistant director, Michael has developed new musicals with Des McAnuff at the La Jolla Playhouse, Sheryl Kaller at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, Bill Fennelly at the Dallas Theater Center and Mary Zimmerman at the Huntington Theater Company. BFA in Musical Theater from Emerson College.

Performances of WE ARE THE TIGERS are Wednesdays - Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 4:00PM and8:00PM, Sundays at 2:00PM and 6:00PM, and Mondays at 7:00PM.

Tickets are $29.50 - $89.50 and can be purchased online at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/1002560 or by calling OvationTix customer service toll free at 866-811-4111.