I'LL BE DAMNED Opens At The Vineyard 7/1

Rehearsals are set to began on June 7th for the Jaradoa Theater production of "I'LL BE DAMNED," a new musical by Rob Broadhurst and Brent Black, beginning July 1st through July 18th at the Dimson Theatre at The Vineyard, 108 East 15th Street (between Union Square East & Irving Place). "I'LL BE DAMNED" is directed by April Nickell, with choreography by Luis Salgado and musical direction by Jason Sherbundy.

Mary Testa and Kenita Miller head the cast of "I'LL BE DAMNED." Also featured in the company are Kurt Robbins, Jacob Hoffman, Gregory Treco, Emily Borromeo, Nick Gelona, Anthony Martinez, Dana Steingold, Daryl Ray Carliles, and Stephanie Martinez.

"I'LL BE DAMNED" is the story of a friendless, comic book-loving homeschooler named Louis who receives a seemingly irresistible offer from Satan. Louis' mother is a little late in coming to terms with her son growing up, God seems lost in his vision of a perfect world, and Louis is discovering himself as he attempts to find just one true friend. This fresh new musical comedy begs the universal question: "Is there a way to make people like you without having to sell your soul to the devil?"

Mary Testa has appeared on Broadway in "42nd Street" (Tony nomination), "...Forum," "Xanadu," "The Rink," "Guys and Dolls," "On the Town" (Tony nomination), "Barnum," "Marie Christine," "Marilyn," and "Chicago." Kenita Miller appeared in the original Broadway companies of "The Color Purple" and "Xanadu," and Off-Broadway in "Dessa Rose" and "Langston in Harlem" (2010 Drama Desk nomination).

The book for "I'LL BE DAMNED" is by Rob Broadhurst and Brent Black, with music by Mr. Broadhurst and lyrics by Mr. Black. They are recent graduates of NYU, where they created the musical at the Tisch Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.

Director April Nickell has directed in New York City for the Neva Theater Company and Haven Productions, as well as Jaradoa Theater's acclaimed productions of "Serenade" by Rachel Sheinkin and Nils Olaf Dolven, "The Small of Her Back," and Anika Larsen's "Shafrika, The White Girl." Choreographer Luis Salgado is in the cast of Broadway's "In the Heights," where he also serves as assistant to the choreographer. Luis also assisted the choreographers on the films "Enchanted" and "Step Up 2 the Streets," and he choreographed the Off-Broadway productions of "Shafrika, The White Girl" and "Serenade" (HOLA Award). Musical Director Jason Sherbundy is currently Associate Conductor of "The Lion King" national tour.

Scenic design for "I'LL BE DAMNED" is by Sean Tribble, with costume design by Andrea Varga, lighting design by Herrick Goldman, and sound design by Mike Farfalla.

JARADOA (Just A Roomful of Artists Doing Outreach And) THEATER is proudly kicking off its fourth season with "I'LL BE DAMNED." Jaradoa is a member-based group of theater artists - actors, directors, writers, and designers - who have come together to promote mercy, beauty and truth through performance and service. "Play On!," Jaradoa's innovative acting and playwriting program that uses theater to improve literacy skills, has been run in public schools, community centers, an alternative-to-incarceration program for teenage felons, and a shelter for runaway and homeless teens.

The playing schedule for the limited engagement of "I'LL BE DAMNED" will be Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2 & 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $18 and are available through www.SmartTix.com (212) 868-4444. For more information, visit www.JaradoaTheater.org.

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