John Tartaglia-Led LORD TOM Begins Performances Tonight at York Theatre Company

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) and its acclaimed Developmental Lab Series presents the musical, LORD TOM, with book by Kimberly Vaughn and Stanley Jay Gelber, and music & lyrics by Mr. Gelber at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Lord Tom will play the following revised performance schedule: Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 16 at 2:30 p.m. and Friday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. All performances are FREE and open to the public.

Directed by Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia, and with choreography by Shannon Lewis and music direction Joshua Stephen Kartes, the cast will feature Tony Award nominee Phillip Boykin in the title role, Jelani Alladin, Nat Chandler, Carrie Compere, Maria Couch, Glory Crampton, Alan H. Green, Leah Hocking, Kevin Leak, Jr., Caitlyn McLaughlin, Kenita Miller, Amma Osei, Jim Poulos, Isaiah Register, Elizabeth Teeter, Tony Award nominee Gordon Joseph Weiss, and Michael Winther.

The creative team will include James Morgan (set), Nathan Scheuer (lighting and projections), Alden Fulcomer (sound), and Kimothy Cruse(production stage manager).

A beacon of hope, a thunder of truth, a rainbow of love...LORD TOM is a new American musical inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe's seminal anti-slavery narrative, Uncle Tom's Cabin, with book by Kimberly Vaughn and Stanley Jay Gelber, and music & lyrics by Mr. Gelber. The story follows the fortunes of two slaves, Eliza and Tom, journeying north and south, respectively, one in shadows, the other in shackles. When first published, Ms. Stowe's book was outsold only by the bible. And now, in this 21st Century offering, directed by John Tartaglia, it continues to herald the call for universal justice, global freedom, and unity of spirit in a colorblind world. The electrifying Phillip Boykin, Tony Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner for his portrayal of Crown inPorgy & Bess, stars as Tom and leads a cast of 17 Broadway actors with a compelling script and score of twenty-six original songs ranging in musical styles from spiritual, blues, gospel, jazz, ragtime, to contemporary ballad, anthem, lullaby, and upbeat comedic swing. LORD TOM takes the audience on a journey in which faith and freedom prevail in this 21st century trajectory of the legendary novel.

Reservations can be made by visiting the website at www.yorktheatre.org

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos