York Theatre Company's A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME Starts Cookin' Tonight Off-Broadway

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, in association with Staci Levine and What's Cookin' LLC, presents the New York premiere of the saucy new musical A Taste of Things to Come, with book, music and lyrics by Debra Barsha (Radiant Baby) and Hollye Levin (Funny Business).

A friendly reminder - performances begin tonight, November 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, December 11, 2016 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Making her directorial debut is Lorin Latarro (Waitress), who does double-duty as choreographer; music direction is by Gillian Berkowitz (Unexpected Joy). The four-member, all-female cast features Janet Dacal (Wonderland) as Agnes, Paige Faure (Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella) as Joan, Allison Guinn (On the Town) as Dottie, and Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde, York's Tomorrow Morning) as Connie. The all-female band includes Ann Klein (electric/acoustic guitar), Barbara Merjan (drums/percussion), and Sue Williams (upright/electric bass).

It's the 1950s. The beginning of rock n' roll. The racial barrier has begun to crack. The Korean War is over, husbands are returning home and the Cold War has begun. Ronald Reagan is a model for Lifebuoy Soap and Rock Hudson is on the cover of LIFE Magazine as "the World's Most Eligible Bachelor." And women are getting antsy. Smack dab in the middle of America, in Winnetka, IL, four friends gather for a weekly Betty Crocker cooking contest, imagining how the prizes might change their lives. Usually, it's LIFE Magazine that's read cover to cover in between mixing, sifting, and chopping. However, a different kind of reading material arrives, and shocked (but inspired) by the Kinsey Report, their lives take an interesting set of turns. In an age that believes that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they will discover that the way to a woman's heart is through her best friends. The first mainstage production of the season, A Taste of Things to Come will inaugurate the newly renovated York Theatre space (new seats, new carpeting, new look). It is presented in association with Staci Levine and What's Cookin' LLC.

The creative team includes Steven C. Kemp (set), Dana Burkart (costumes), Nathan Scheuer (lighting), Daniel J. Gerhard (sound), Kate Stack (props), Justin West(projections), Joe Barros (associate director), and Abbey O'Brien (associate choreographer). Casting is by Joy Dewing. The Production Stage Manager is Veronica Aglow with Assistant Stage Manager Hollace Jeffords. A Taste of Things to Come was conceived by Hollye Levin and has Orchestrations and Dance Arrangements by Debra Barsha with Lena Gabrielle and Vocal Arrangements by Debra Barsha. It was originally produced at Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, PA: Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis, Josh Fiedler, Producers. A recording will be available on BMG.

A Taste of Things to Come celebrates the friendships of four women during the 1950s and 60s with a Special "Gals Night Out" Package, November 9th - December 11th: Four tickets for $150 (up to $140 Savings!) plus 50% off authentic Italian cuisine at neighborhood favorite Luna Piena, with special Happy Hour-priced drinks! An all-female cast and band bring a saucy, curvy zest to this exciting new musical comedy, but also some serious food for thought about sociopolitical changes spanning the era. Things in the kitchen begin to heat up as differences of opinion on sex, race, and women's roles rise to the surface. Life changes for these women - and for the country - when they come to realize that there's more to life than cooking the perfect casserole. In an age that believed that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, these women discover that the way to a woman's heart is through her best friends. So round up your best gal pals and head over to the east side for a "sensational" and "savory" night out on the town! Visit YorkTheatre.org or call 212-935-5820 and mention code GALPAL. The York will make your dinner or lunch reservations for you. Visit lunapienarestaurant.com.

For tickets and more information, visit www.yorktheatre.org.

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