Stephanie D’Abruzzo, Josh Grisetti and Kerry Conte Join Mufti Concert Series

The award-winning York Theatre Company  (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced preliminary casting for its upcoming Fall 2011 Musicals in Mufti Concert Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances. This October, the York will continue its Off-Broadway Celebration with the Muftis of The Housewives' Cantata (October 21-23) and Tomfoolery (October 28-30).

Tomfoolery will feature Tony nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q, York's recent Mufti of The Mad Show) and Josh Grisetti (Enter Laughing, The Musical). The Housewives' Cantata will feature Kerry Conte (The Irish... and How They Got That Way). Further casting to be announced within the coming weeks.

York's Musicals in Mufti Series has presented over 75 shows from the past in simply-staged concert format; Mufti means: "in street clothes," without the trappings associated with the original productions. Tickets for both shows will be available for $39.50 online, by phone at 212?935?5820, and in person at the York Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 12-6 PM). Performances are Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 2:30 and 8 PM; and Sundays at 2:30 and 7:30 PM (with talkbacks following all 2:30 PM performances).

The Housewives' Cantata
Music by Mira J. Spektor (Villa Diodati)
Lyrics by June Siegel (A... My Name is Alice)
Directed by Karen Carpenter (Love, Loss and What I Wore)
Music Direction by Bob Goldstone (Asylum)
Meet the "real housewives" of musical theatre, long before the ladies of Bravo and Wisteria Lane graced your TV screens. The Housewives' Cantata is an empowering cabaret-style revue that The New York Times called "a sprightly songfest" when it opened Off-Broadway in 1981 (produced by the legendary Cheryl Crawford). This sung-through musical follows the stories of three women... one of whom takes a tremendous journey to become the first female President of the United States.

Tomfoolery
The Words and Music of Tom Lehrer
Adapted by Cameron Mackintosh and Robin Ray
Musical Arrangements by Chris Walker and Robert Fisher
Directed by Pamela Hunt (The Musical of Musicals)
Music Direction by Michael Rice (Nunsense)

Tomfoolery offers a witty and wicked look at the works of famed satirical songwriter (and Harvard math professor) Tom Lehrer. Pushing boundaries in a playful way, Lehrer's songs have delightfully skewered the world for over fifty years. Nothing is sacred in this hilarious revue, filled with unabashed riffs on pop culture, including such favorite tunes as "The Old Dope Peddler," "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park," and "The Vatican Rag."

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City- and one of very few in the world- dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. Over the past two seasons, York productions and artists have been nominated for a combined 19 Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Off-Broadway Alliance, AUDELCO and Callaway Awards (and its productions of Yank! A WWII Love Story and Enter Laughing, The Musical have both been announced for Broadway). For over four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its Mainstage Series - most of them world, American, or New York premieres- by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 35 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and its acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.