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Desperate Measures 2018

Run Time:
Two hours and 10 minutes, with one intermission
Ages: 12+
Opened: June 13, 2018
Closing: October 28, 2018

Desperate Measures - 2018 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

New World Stages Stage IV
340 West 50th Street New York, NY 10019

Desperate Measures is a musical comedy gone wild!

When the dangerously handsome Johnny Blood's life is on the line, he must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters including a mysterious sheriff, an eccentric priest, a sleazy governor, a saloon girl gone good, and a nun out of the habit. Together, they face uncharted territory as laws are broken and hearts are won. Before the sun sets, will they be able to rise up and pull off the greatest act yet, or will Johnny be left hanging?

This witty and wild new musical comedy takes the Bard's Measure for Measure and shakes things up with a toe tappin' score by award-winning composer David Friedman. Featuring fresh and feisty book and lyrics by two-time Tony nominee Peter Kellogg, Desperate Measures is fully loaded with laughs with direction & choreography by Bill Castellino (Cagney).


Desperate Measures - 2018 - Off-Broadway Cast

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DESPERATE MEASURES Announces Closing Later this Month
by Matt Tamanini - October 14, 2018


On Sunday, the Drama Desk Award-winning musical Desperate Measures announced that it would be wrapping up it's Off-Broadway transfer run at New World Stages later this month on Sunday, Oct. 28. In an Instagram post, one of the show's stars, Lauren Molina, confirmed the sad news, but encouraged fans to come and see this fun, original show before it closes in two weeks. 

DESPERATE MEASURES Releases New Block of Tickets Through December 30th
by Julie Musbach - October 1, 2018


Desperate Measures, the hit musical comedy gone wild with music by David Friedman (Listen To My Heart), book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina), and directed byBill Castellino (Cagney, Marry Harry) has announced a new block of tickets, now on sale through December 30.

Photo Coverage: DESPERATE MEASURES Celebrates 100 Performances
by Jennifer Broski - September 14, 2018


Desperate Measures celebrated its 100th performance off-Broadway last night, September 13. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out the photos below!

BWW Interview: Lauren Molina on Her Rootin', Tootin' Good Time in DESPERATE MEASURES
by David Clarke - August 20, 2018


Around a decade after she originated the role of Regina/Candi in ROCK OF AGES, Lauren Molina returns to NEW WORLD STAGES for another fun and funny musical romp. Having been with DESPERATE MEASURES since it began, Molina has gotten to throughly develop the hilarious Bella Rose. As the life of the party in DESPERATE MEASURES, we sat down with Molina to talk about the new Off-Broadway musical.

DESPERATE MEASURES Original Cast Recording Digital Album Available Today From Masterworks Broadway
by Macon Prickett - July 13, 2018


The Original Cast Recording from the hit musical comedy Desperate Measures is available digitally today from Masterworks Broadway, with the CD set for release August 10. With music by David Friedman (Listen to My Heart) and lyrics by Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina), the album is produced by Robert Sher with liner notes by Peter Filichia. Described by the Huffington Post as 'a good old-fashioned musical comedy... a happy surprise of a show filled with enjoyable songs,' Desperate Measures is currently running at New World Stages in New York City.

Podcast: BroadwayRadio's 'Tell Me More' Chats with Conor Ryan about DESPERATE MEASURES
by BroadwayRadio - July 9, 2018


On the most recent episode of BroadwayRadio's 'Tell Me More,' Matt Tamanini spoke to stars of three very different Off-Broadway shows; Rebecca Naomi Jones of The Public's 'Fire in Dreamland,' Derek DelGaudio the star and creator of one-man show 'In & Of Itself,' and Conor Ryan from the return engagement of 'Desperate Measures.' This is a special mini episode with the interview with Conor Ryan.

BWW Review: Problem Solved! Wild West Shakespeare Musical DESPERATE MEASURES is Hilarious and Tuneful
by Michael Dale - June 22, 2018


David Friedman and Peter Kellogg may be billed, respectively, as composer and bookwriter/lyricists of the rollickingly fun new musical comedy DESPERATE MEASURES, which has just moved from the intimate York Theatre to more spacious digs at New World Stages, but they can also add 'problem-solver' to their resumes.

TV: Watch Highlights of Conor Ryan, Lauren Molina & More in DESPERATE MEASURES
by Nicole Rosky - June 19, 2018


Desperate Measures is currently playing at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues), and features: Gary Marachek (Eleanor) as Father Morse, Lauren Molina(Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose, Sarah Parnicky (Show Boat at Houston Grand Opera) as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo, Conor Ryan ('Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert') as Johnny Blood, Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green, and Nick Wyman (Les Miserables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber with Anthony Festa (Bare at New World Stages), Celia Hottenstein(The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary National Tour) and Tom Souhrada (Kinky Boots).

Photo Coverage: DESPERATE MEASURES Takes Opening Night Bows Off-Broadway!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - June 14, 2018


Desperate Measures is a hilarious new musical that tells the tale of Johnny Blood, a handsome young man whose life is in danger over a saloon brawl. Set in the early 1890's, Johnny must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters including a wily sheriff, an eccentric priest, a authoritarian governor, a saloon girl gone good, and a nun out of the habit- as they all struggle to decide Johnny's fate. Laws are broken and hearts are won as they try to find justice in a world that often doesn't seem just. Sound familiar?

DESPERATE MEASURES Opens Tomorrow at New World Stages
by Julie Musbach - June 12, 2018


Desperate Measures, now playing at New World Stages, opens tomorrow, Wednesday, June 13.

Photo Flash: Jamie Brewer Stops by Off-Broadway's DESPERATE MEASURES
by A.A. Cristi - June 5, 2018


Desperate Measures, a new musical comedy gone wild with music by David Friedman(Listen To My Heart), book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina), and directed by Bill Castellino(Cagney, Marry Harry) is one of the most winning off-Broadway shows of the year. TV and current star of Amy and the Orphans, Jamie Brewer, stopped by for a visit with the cast backstage. Check out photos below.

TV: Meet the Company of DESPERATE MEASURES- Plus Get a Sneak Peek!
by Nicole Rosky - June 4, 2018


Beginning performances at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues), for an open-ended engagement beginning May 30 with opening night set for June 13, Desperate Measures features: Gary Marachek (Eleanor) as Father Morse, Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose, Sarah Parnicky (Show Boat at Houston Grand Opera) as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo, Conor Ryan ('Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert') as Johnny Blood, Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green, Nick Wyman (Les Miserables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber and Anthony Festa, Celia Hottenstein, and Tom Souhrada.

TV: Shakespeare Meets the Old West! Watch a Sneak Peek of DESPERATE MEASURES
by Nicole Rosky - June 2, 2018


Beginning performances at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues), for an open-ended engagement beginning May 30 with opening night set for June 13, Desperate Measures features: Gary Marachek (Eleanor) as Father Morse, Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose, Sarah Parnicky (Show Boat at Houston Grand Opera) as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo, Conor Ryan ('Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert') as Johnny Blood, Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green, Nick Wyman (Les Miserables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber and Anthony Festa, Celia Hottenstein, and Tom Souhrada.

Photo Coverage: Go Inside Rehearsals for DESPERATE MEASURES!
by Jennifer Broski - May 30, 2018


Beginning performances at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues), for an open-ended engagement beginning May 30 with opening night set for June 13, Desperate Measures features: Gary Marachek (Eleanor) as Father Morse, Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose, Sarah Parnicky (Show Boat at Houston Grand Opera) as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo, Conor Ryan ('Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert') as Johnny Blood, Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green, Nick Wyman (Les Miserables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber and Anthony Festa, Celia Hottenstein, and Tom Souhrada.

Photo Flash: The Cast and Crew of DESPERATE MEASURES Celebrates First Day of Rehearsal
by Stephi Wild - May 11, 2018


Beginning performances at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues), for an open-ended engagement beginning May 30 with opening night set for June 13, Desperate Measures features: Gary Marachek (Eleanor) as Father Morse, Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose, Sarah Parnicky (Show Boat at Houston Grand Opera) as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo, Conor Ryan ('Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert') as Johnny Blood, Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green, Nick Wyman (Les Miserables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber and Anthony Festa, Celia Hottenstein, and Tom Souhrada.

Full Casting Announced for DESPERATE MEASURES at New World Stages
by Stephi Wild - April 17, 2018


Pat Flicker Addiss and Mary Cossette present Desperate Measures, a new musical comedy gone wild with music by David Friedman (Listen To My Heart), book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina),and directed by Bill Castellino (Cagney, Marry Harry). Desperate Measures has announced full casting and will play New World Stages (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues), for an open-ended engagement beginning May 30 with opening night set for June 13.

Desperate Measures History

Other Productions of Desperate Measures

2006   New York New York Musical Theatre Festival Production
New York
2017   Off-Broadway York Theatre Company Production
Off-Broadway
2018   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Return Engagement
Off-Broadway

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