Mason, Viviano, Etc. Set for CAP21 Reading of New Musical

CAP21's Dorothy Strelsin New Works Series will continue with Sal Viviano (The Life, The Full Monty), Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!) and Rick Hilsabeck (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) in The Cosmopolitan.  The new musical is by Lance Horne (CAP21 Faculty Member), Lorin Latarro and Josh Rhodes, and directed by Peter Flynn (Henry & Mudge, On The Twentieth Century).

"In The Cosmopolitan, workers at New York City's premier opera company have gone on strike and the company is in desperate need of a theatre.  Surprisingly, they find a temporary home in the cultural Mecca of Newark, New Jersey.  Laughs come large when blue blood meets blue collar - and love is found in unexpected places.  The Cosmopolitan is a giddy musical comedy that sings with a passion for all types of music and people," state press materials.

Viviano made his Broadway debut in the revival of Rudolph Friml's The Three Musketeers in 1984 and has followed by succeeding the lead actors in the Broadway companies of City of Angels, Falsettos, The Life and, most recently, The Full Monty. Karen Mason originated the role of Tanya on Broadway in Abba's Mamma Mia! and was awarded a 2002 Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in And The World Goes 'Round.  Rick Hilsabeck was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for his title performance in The Phantom of the Opera and recently appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Horne (Music and Lyrics) has composed musicals and created scores for plays, dance and classical works seen at NYTW, Joe's Pub, Lincoln Center and Mark Taper Forum. He was the Vocal Arranger for the Broadway and National Touring productions of Little Women. Lorin Latarro (Book nd Lyrics) has appeared on Broadway as Brenda in Movin' Out and in A Chorus Line, The Apple Tree and Wonderful Town. She recently served as Assistant Choreographer to Kathleen Marshal on NBC's "Grease: You're The One That I Want." Josh Rhodes (Book & Lyrics) was the Assistant Choreographer for The Drowsy Chaperone and has performed in Chicago and Fosse.  Peter Flynn (Director) staged the star-studded Broadway concert of On The Twentieth Century starring Douglas Sills, Marin Mazzie and Joanne Worley. 

The staged reading will take place Monday, April 2 at 7:30pm at CAP21/The Shop, located at 18 West 18th Street, New York City.  All seats are free to the public but reservations are encouraged and may be made by visiting www.CAP21.org or by calling 212.352.3101.  Seating is limited.     

Photo - Karen Mason