York Theatre's 'NEO 2017' Celebrates Emerging Musical Theatre Writers Tonight

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, presents the celebrated concert series NEO 2017: A Concert Celebration featuring new works by emerging musical theatre writers Masi Asare, Alan Gordon & Joy Son, Alexander Sage Oyen, and Mark Sonnenblick.

A friendly reminder that the one-night only benefit performance, directed by Annette Jolles (Mark Felt, Superstar) and with music direction by Ted Arthur (Dear Evan Hansen), is TONIGHT, Monday evening, October 16, 2017 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Festivities are set to begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a wine/dessert reception.

The list of performers includes Sam Bolen (Midnight at the Never Get), Sojourner Brown (Word Views), Andrew Chappelle (Hamilton), Max Crumm (Grease), Matt DeAngelis (Waitress), George Dvorsky (Closer Than Ever), Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (Dear World), Emily Kron (The Gold), Vanessa Lemonides (Mark Felt, Superstar), John-Andrew Morrison (A Strange Loop), Bethany Perkins (Her Sound), Allison Strong (Mamma Mia!), Allie Trimm (13), Stephanie Umoh (Jerry's Girls), and Remy Zaken (Spring Awakening), who will be joined by an ensemble of students from Marymount Manhattan College (all subject to change and availability).

In addition to the five featured writers, this year's NEO introduces the NEO of the Future program, including in the concert two songs by writers who are currently undergraduate students: Scott Etan Feiner, a junior at Yale, and Billy Recce, a junior at Fordham.

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.

Tickets for NEO 2017 are priced at $50. $25 tickets are available for patrons under the age of 35 (available by calling or visiting the box office during box office hours only). Tickets 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.).

Currently on stage at The York Theatre Company is the mainstage production of the New York premiere of the musical Desperate Measures, with book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina) and music by David Friedman (Scandalous). Directed and choreographed by Bill Castellino (Marry Harry, Cagney) and with music direction by David Hancock Turner (The World Will Not Contain Us), the six-member cast features Emma Degerstedt (The Little Mermaid) as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo, Gary Marachek (Camelot) as Father Morse, Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose, Conor Ryan (john and jen) as Johnny Blood, Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green, and Nick Wyman (Les Misérables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber. Following rave reviews, the limited engagement has been extended and will now play through Sunday, October 29, 2017.

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