BRIGHT STAR's Lizzie Klemperer & Timothy John Smith to Lead LISA AND LEONARDO at NYMF

The new musical Lisa and Leonardo will be presented at this year's New York Musical Festival. With music by Donya Lane, lyrics by Ed McNamee and book by Donna Lane, Ed McNamee & Michael Unger. Lisa and Leonardo will be directed by Michelle Tattenbaum with musical direction by Robert Frost and choreography by Jonathan Cerullo. The show will begin July 21 and running through July 28 at the Duke on 42nd Street, a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 W 42nd Street). Tickets are $27.50 and can be purchased by visiting nymf.org or by calling (212)-352-3101.

Leonardo Da Vinci was commissioned by Lisa del Giocondo's husband to create a simple wedding portrait, but he never handed it over, rather he continued to work on it for over 12 years, building layer upon layer, carrying it with him everywhere - obsessed. 500 years later, the truth about the Mona Lisa is discovered and comes to life on stage in the new musical Lisa and Leonardo.

"As we uncovered evidence of Lisa and Leonardo's intimate relationship, it became clear to us why Leonardo would manifest his lifetime of studies into this one living and breathing portrait. Da Vinci was famously gay and Lisa was married, so that, coupled with the wider political struggles of Florence - and, therefore, their lives - makes for a very rich story! In the end, we think it's a story about love and art being big enough to overcome all of that." - Lisa and Leonardo creators Ed McNamee and Donya Lane

Cast includes: Lizzie Klemperer (Broadway: Bright Star) as Lisa, Timothy John Smith (Regional: Les Miserables, Oliver!) as Leonardo, will be joined by Dennis Holland (Broadway: The Music Man), Cooper Grodin (National Tour: The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables) , Brian Owen (Regional: Peter and the Starcatcher), Ravi Roth (NY: Alter Boyz, Seussical), Marissa Miller (National Tour: Wicked), Samia Mounts (BAM: The Source - Rock Opera by Ted Heame), Jennifer Lorae (NY: Parade, Hard Times), Anne Wechsler (NY: Murder at the Gates), Jamison Stern (Broadway: By Jeeves), Perry Sook (National Tour: Shrek), Jordan Weagraff (National Tour: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Elf the Musical), and introducing Keaton Tetlow.

Creative team includes: Reid Thompson (Scenic Design), Michael Bevins (Costume Design), Isabella Byrd (Lighting Design), Alice Pollitt (Production Stage Manager), Stephanie Klapper (Casting), Ryan Conway of DTE Management (General Management).