York Theatre Company to Present Developmental Readings of SONGBOOK and ZAZOU

The York Theatre Company launches its 45th anniversary season with its acclaimed Developmental Readings Series and the New York premiere of two new works: Songbook, a play with music written by Stephen Temperley, and Zazou, a play with songs by John Meyer at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). The readings are open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.00.

Songbook is a play with music written by Stephen Temperley, who wrote Souvenir, which also began with a similar presentation at the York before transferring to Broadway. Songbook is a love story between three men that spans 52 years, from New Year's Eve 1951 to 2004, a time when New York City was a refuge where gay men could live more open, more honest lives than what they left behind. By turns funny and moving, the play explores devotion in the face of a hostile world through the music that defined their time, the songs of the great American Songbook that express what otherwise they couldn't or wouldn't say. Like Souvenir, the presentation will be directed by the Tony Award-winning director Vivian Matalon, with music direction by Tom Helm. The cast will feature Donald Corren, Tony Award-nominee Malcolm Gets, and Patrick Vaill. TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY: Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. and Friday, September 19, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Zazou, a play with songs by John Meyer, the best-selling author of Heartbreaker and the London hit musical The Betrayal of Nora Blake, will be directed by Alan Souza with music direction by Hubert 'Tex' Arnold. Tony Award-winner Liliane Montevecchi, who will lead a cast of five, stars as a retired diva of the Paris Music-Hall who's driven to murder when an opportunistic American Professor threatens to expose a career-shattering secret. The one thing Zazou lives for is her reputation and she is willing to kill to protect it. But will she be discovered? TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY: Monday, September 22, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. and Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 3:00 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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