Jeff Whiting Directs Developmental Reading Of New Musical HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS In New Works Reading Series

Jeff Whiting (Bullets Over Broadway) directs new musical HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS as part of the Open Jar New Works Reading Series, featuring book by Eric Holmes (Smash, The Good Wife), music and lyrics by Nat Zegree (The Kings Critique), and music direction by Jesse Kissel (The Visit).

Inspired by the best-selling book of the same name by Trina Paulus, the musical introduces a young girl, Alice, who deals with the tragic news of her mother's cancer diagnosis in the only way she knows how - by writing a story. Alice weaves a tale of two caterpillars, Stripe and Yellow, who magically come to life and who embark on a journey of a lifetime, weaving in and out of Alice's own real-life struggle to deal with her mother's death.

HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS is being produced as part of The Open Jar New Works Reading Series. The cast includes: Julia Amundson, Ryan Edward Armstrong, Chelsea Fuller Brown, Matthew Davies, Tanner DeWaal, Cody Gerszewski, Provence Hatfield, Sheridan Hearn, Jennie Hughes, Abbey Immer, Cheyenne Marie Kern, Alex McDermott, Aria Renae Shannon, Sammie Sanchez, and Nat Zegree.

"I remember reading the book as a child," Whiting recalls, "and I think that one of the reasons this story has touched so many around the world is because each of us can place ourselves in the footsteps of a caterpillar, having no idea about what he has the potential to become." Whiting continued, "I mean, who would ever imagine that a quirky caterpillar could transform into one of the world's most beautiful creatures - a butterfly. And it must take a lot of trust to wrap yourself into a cocoon, unsure of what might come next, only to emerge as a stunning creature - completely transformed."

The invitation-only presentation of HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS will take place on November 11th.