York Theatre Company Hosts Developmental Readings of ANGEL IN MY HEART & WHAT DO CRITICS KNOW? this Week

The York Theatre Company, and its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series, will present two new works: Angel in My Heart that has book, music & lyrics by Bob Ost, with additional music by Kenn Schmidt, and What Do Critics Know? with book by Matt Gurren and music & lyrics by James Campodonico and Mr. Gurren at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). The readings are open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.00.

Angel in My Heart, a musical romance about love, loss (and shopping) in the pre-cocktail era of AIDS, has book, music & lyrics by Bob Ost, with additional music by Kenn Schmidt. A young widowed writer is bewildered to find himself relentlessly pursued by a handsome co-worker. Neither realizes that it is the writer's deceased lover who is touching both of their hearts. A chamber musical for 4 voices, piano, cello and flute, Angel in My Heart was a selection of this year's Fresh Fruit Festival. The show was developed with the support of the Anna Sosenko Assist Trust and The Workshop Theatre. Directed by Katharine Pettit and with music direction by Ted Arthur, the 4 member cast will feature Matthew Coyle, Adam Kemmerer, Aaron Riesebeck and Micah Spayer. ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

What Do Critics Know? is a new musical with book by Matt Gurren and music & lyrics by James Campodonico and Mr. Gurren. (Note: This reading is on wait list only.) Struggling Broadway writer Nathan Wood has had numerous theatrical flops which he blames on scathing reviews. Through the intervention and assistance of an old friend, Nathan unwittingly blackmails his three most vociferous critics into writing their own musical that must receive good reviews. Will the critics pull through despite their overly critical natures? Will Nathan learn to accept criticism and use it to write a hit? Can cooperation, harmony and perhaps even love exist between an artist and a critic? Find out if poetic justice will be served cold or in a warm review. Directed by Nathan Brewer and with music direction by Eric Svejcar, the cast includes Tiffan Borelli, Robert DuSold, Barry Hirsch, Erin Maguire, Brian Charles Rooney, Prescott Seymour, Jim Stanek, KT Sullivan, Christopher Sutton and Nick Wyman, with Mariana Bravo, Kristen Hahn, Raye Lederman, Stefanie Londino, Josh Powell and Dale Sampson. ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY: Friday, November 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

Reservations can be made by visiting the website at www.yorktheatre.org

The Developmental Reading Series presents some 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors throughout the year, a vital part of the writing process. The series serves as an incubator for shows to be considered for Mainstage productions, thus serving the York's unique mission of taking new musicals through the complete development process to full production.

The York Theatre Company offers the 54th Street Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $54.00 - with elite benefits that includes a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions (2 per membership), exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member only receptions.

York Memberships may be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by calling the York Theatre Company Box Office.

For additional information, please visit the website at www.yorktheatre.org.

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