Nathan Lee Graham Set for Reading of New BATTLES Musical Today

The Battles Musical LLC will present a second developmental reading of the new musical, THE BATTLES, with music, book, and lyrics by Ned Massey, at the New 42nd Street Studios today, October 23rd, at 3 pm. The reading will be directed by Tom Wojtunik with musical direction by Joshua Stephen Kartes, and casting by Michael Cassara, CSA. The musical received its first reading in June as part of the Emerging Artist Theatre's "New Works Series."

Starring in the role of Leonardo Da Vinci will be Nathan Lee Graham (The Wild Party, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Zoolander), and in the role of Michelangelo, Joel Perez (Fun Home).

THE BATTLES revolves around the true story of the head-to-head painting competition that took place between the rivals Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo in Florence, Italy around 1500 AD. They are the world's greatest artists, and yet fear directs both of their lives. Both artists were shaped by the hatred directed toward homosexuals in the Renaissance, and the show explores how each of them-despite their visionary work-wrestled with doubt and shame, closing themselves off to the possibility of love in ways all too familiar to contemporary audiences.

In addition to Nathan Lee Graham and Joel Perez, the cast includes George Abud (The Visit), Max Chernin (Brooklynite), Anthony Crouchelli (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer), Troy Iwata, Nicholas Park (Bedbugs!!!), Heath Saunders (I Am Harvey Milk), and Brian Silliman (Orange Is The New Black).