TNC's 2016 Dream Up Festival to Present WORLD AND MUSIC

Theater for the New City's Dream Up Festival Presents
"Words And Music"
A Classic-Broadway Musical About Friendship, Failure and Phantoms

"Words and Music" by Daniel Schwartzman is a musical that explores the lives of two aging men struggling to stay afloat in the rapidly evolving New York Theater industry. The production raises questions about the mass-commercialization of musicals and the theater industry as a whole. In addition, there are also poignant themes of loyalty and friendship even in the face of defeat. The musical is written and composed by Daniel Schwartzman. Suellen Rubin will direct.

The play follows Ed, a piano tuner and composer haunted by premonitions of his deceased wife, as he pursues a career as a composer of musical theater. Together with his ailing friend and lyricist Howie, he creates a musical intended to be the next big hit, and pitches it to several theaters in the hope that one of them will give it a production. However, after several rejections Ed's mental health begins to deteriorate, turning his collaboration with Howie toxic and resulting in them parting ways. The play outlines the struggle of Ed trying to escape his past, in the form of his wife's ghost.

This will be the world premiere of "Words and Music." The score is composed by Daniel Schwartzman, and is modeled off late 20th century Broadway musicals. The music and lyrics manage a reflective tone, mirroring the emotions of the main characters as they near the later stages of their lives.

"Words and Music" is written and composed by Daniel Schwartzman, with direction by Suellen Rubin and sets, costumes and choreography by James Martinelli. Lighting design is by Alan Sporing. Music direction is by Erica Kaplan. The cast will consist of James Martinelli, Kerry Wolff, Kyle Hughes, Betsy Marra, Robert Quinn, Jerii Aquino, and Michelle Maccarone.

WHERE AND WHEN:
August 29 at 6:30 PM, August 31 at 9:00 PM, September 3 at 2:00 PM, September 4 at 8:00 PM, September 7 at 9:00 PM.
Community Theater, Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. (at East 10th Street)
Presented by Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Artistic Director) as part of the Dream Up Festival 2016.
Ticket Price: $15.00
Box office: (212) 254-1109, www.dreamupfestival.org
Runs for 1:15. Reviewers are invited to all performances.

Suellen Rubin is a playwright and actor making her directorial debut with "Words and Music" after assistant directing Schwartzman's "A Casual Gathering" at the 2015 Dream Up Festival. Rubin is on the Board of All Out Arts and a sponsor of the Fresh Fruit Festiva, where she has performed in her play "Persephone's Autumn."

Daniel Schwartzman is a native New Yorker and a composer, musical director, writer and conductor. After studying in New York, Schwartzman attended Tel Aviv University, where he received his M.A. in conducting and composing. His time studying in Israel kicked off a career in the Tel Aviv musical theatre scene. One of his more recent works, as musical director of a production of "The Sound of Music," was a critical success in Israel, garnering rave reviews from local and national papers including a letter of high recommendation from the Rogers and Hammerstein Organization. He is presently working on a professional production of "Billy Elliott." "Words and Music" is Schwartzman's ninth original play that has been produced, and the second to be performed in New York City. His show, "A Casual Gathering," was presented in the 2015 Dream Up Festival.

The seventh annual Dream Up Festival is dedicated to new works. Presented by Theater for the New City, the Festival will run from August 28 to September 18, 2016 and will feature a variety of original dramas, comedies, musicals, adaptations and experimental plays. The Festival celebrates the arts in a time when cultural and arts funding is in sharp decline due to a number of social and market forces. Now an East Village tradition, it challenges the audience to reflect on the innovative and imaginative ways that they interact with the theater.

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