PEG O’ MY HEART THE MUSICAL Plays MITF, Begins July 16

The World Premiere of Peg O' My Heart the Musical is being presented at the 12th annual Midtown International Theater Festival and produced by Gwen Arment, producer and artistic director of Hell's Kitchen Musicals. Peg O' My Heart is a musical adaptation of the 1912 play of the same title by J. Hartley Manners with music by FrEd Fisher, a prolific composer of the early 20th century, who fashioned his hit song, "Peg O' My Heart" with lyrics by AlFred Bryant from the play. Performances begin Saturday, July 16 at the June Havoc Theater (312 West 36th Street, 1st floor).

In addition to the songs in the musical Peg O' My Heart, FrEd Fisher is known for composing many beloved American classics such as "Wild, Simply Wild Over Me," "I'd Rather Be Blue," "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)," and "Your Feets Too Big."

Directed and choreographed by James Gray (Associate Director/Choreographer to Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein National Tour) with a book by Karin Baker (Last of the Red Hot Mamas) and new dance arrangements by the Alcoquin's Steve Ross, Peg O' My Heart is set in 1920 and tells the story of Peg O'Connell, an uneducated but fiery young Irish girl is living with her father in New York City. Due to a series of strange circumstances, she is forced to travel to England and live with her dead mother's family. This wealthy, yet highly dysfunctional family, must tutor Peg in the ways of society and make her a lady or she will be cut off from her dead uncle's estate. The unsuspecting Peg dispenses large doses of common sense and joy to her English kin and the wealthy society they belong to. This heart-warming comedy has been proven a timeless classic, and in this new updated musical format, retains the power and charm to draw audiences for a new millennium.

The cast of this new musical includes Brittney Lee Hamilton, Ethan Angelica, David Arthur, Jeremy Benton, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Allen E. Read, Jennifer Smith, and Scott Willis. Tony Honoree Bill Berloni has provided Minnie who play's Peg's pooch Michael.

Peg O' My Heart has a rich history as a play, a novel and two movie versions. The play, written in 1912 and given to actress Laurette Taylor as a wedding present by her husband J. Hartley Manners, was a mega hit for the period, running for over three years at the Cort Theatre on Broadway. It was a similar success on London's West End, closing only for the onset of WW1. It has been produced all over the world in many languages to great acclaim. FrEd Fisher was so taken with the play that he created the very popular song, "Peg O' My Heart" a year into the Broadway run. This musical adaptation employs music from Fisher's catalogue and the original lyrics, where possible, have been incorporated into the plot. New lyrics and musical arrangements have also been added to produce a more modern sound for today's audiences, yet still retaining the charm of the period.

Peg O' My Heart will be performed on the following schedule at the June Havoc Theater (312 West 36th Street, 1st floor): Saturday, July 16th at 2:45 pm; Sunday, July 17th at 5:30 pm; Monday, July 18th at 6:00 pm; Thursday, July 21st at 6:00 pm; and Monday, July 25th at 5:30 pm.

Tickets prices are $18, Students/Seniors $15
To purchase tickets please visit http://www.midtownfestival.org

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