York Theatre Company News

Continuing their "Celebration of Off-Broadway,' The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), will present a staged concert production - similar in style to their acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series - of the 1966 musical Man with a Load of Mischief, with music by John Clifton, lyrics by Clifton and Ben Tarver, and book by Tarver. Directed by Jenn Thompson with music direction by Bryan Wade, Man with a Load of Mischief will play three performances only, Monday, October 1 at 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 2 at 3:00 p.m. at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's. Casting will be announced shortly.

From September 27 through October 21, The Nora Theatre Company will proudly present the New England Premiere of Sarah Treem's THE HOW AND THE WHY at Central Square Theater. The Press Performance is Monday, October 1 at 7:30PM.

A new block of tickets are now on sale for one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Tickets are now on sale through Novembefr 18, 2012 at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Today we are focusing a super-special spotlight on one of the Fall's most intriguing musical entries trying out in New York, the York Theatre Company's lab mounting of the new Paul Jabara jukebox musical LAST DANCE, by talking to the show's lead, recognizable TV and film star Rob Morrow, and the show's lead producer, noted comedic shepherd and filmmaker Robert D. Wachs, whom filled me in on all aspects of the show in a comprehensive chat late last week just prior to this week's start of rehearsals. In this all-encompassing conversation, Morrow, Wachs and I discuss the genesis of the new disco-themed musical celebrating the life and career of Jabara, the accomplished Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Broadway shows (RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM… AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT), movie songs ("Last Dance" from THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY; the titular "The Main Event") and numerous pop/rock/disco hits, such as "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's epic disco duet "Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)" and his many solo hits, as well as the finer points of the story, concept, casting and the ultimate goals of the new Philip William McKinley-directed production, which features a book by Shaun McKenna. Additionally, Morrow and Wachs each generously share showbiz tales from their storied careers involving such big names as Eddie Murphy, Michael Bennett, Jonathan Larson, Tony Scott and many more and both copiously convey their infectious enthusiasm for the forthcoming fully-produced lab presentation of the new musical that will play for five performances beginning September 20 as they prepare for its first viewing before a paying audience. All of that and much, much more awaits!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), presents the developmental lab production of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Under the direction of Philip Wm. McKinley (SPIDERMAN Turn Off the Dark, The Boy from Oz), and with choreography by Carol Schuberg (Meet Me in St. Louis) and musical direction by Wendy Cavett (Mamma Mia!), the five-member cast also features Katrina Lenk (SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark), Anastacia McClesky (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) EmmyAward nominee Rob Morrow ("Northern Exposure," "Numb3rs"), Jack Noseworthy (Jerome Robbins' Broadway) and Jill Shackner (Les Miserables). Last Dance will play 5 performances only, September 20 - 23, 2012 at at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the first rehearsal below!

Anika Larsen joins the cast of The York Theatre Company's Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire beginning tonight, August 28, 2012. With direction by Mr. Maltby, associate direction and choreography by Kurt Stamm and music direction by Andrew Gerle, the cast also features Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables), George Dvorsky (The Scarlet Pimpernel) and Sal Viviano (The Full Monty). Now in performance through September 30th at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs has announced final casting with the addition of Katrina Lenk (SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark) and Anastacia McClesky (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) to the cast of the developmental lab of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical).

Cape May Stage, South Jersey's premiere Equity theatre, will welcome back two of their favorite performers: husband-and-wife team Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry. Well known as the stars for eight seasons of NBC's "L.A. Law," the couple returns to Cape May Stage in "Mike's Shorts": a series of tales weaving the couple's love of food with their love for each other. Join them on their journey at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse tonight, August 27th at 8pm.

The Confession will receive a staged reading in The Platform Group's Ladder Series: A Staged Reading Series Aimed at Getting New Plays to the Next Rung. Out of more than 100 submissions, ten new plays will receive a staged reading at The Creek and Cave in Long Island City, NY. The Ladder series started in July and continues into early October.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will launch the Fall portion of its 50th Anniversary Season with the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist by British playwright, author, and director, Neil Bartlett. The production begins on September 12, with several discounted Preview performances, and continues through Oct. 7 at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - the intimate F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, has announced Anika Larsen (Xanadu, All Shook Up, Avenue Q) will join the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire beginning August 28, 2012, replacing previously announced Leslie Kritzer who departed due to a scheduling conflict.

The Little Orchestra Society (The LOS) inaugurates the 2012-2013 season with an audience favorite from its acclaimed Lolli-Pops™ series, The Orchestra - A Happy Family. Performances will take place on Saturday October 27 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Sunday, October 28 at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th St. between Park and Lexington Aves.). The musicians of The LOS, led by guest conductor Philip Mann and joined by the colorful Lolli-Pops™ characters, introduce their musical families to yours, where the drums Bang, the strings Bow, the brass Buzz and the winds Toot.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, has announced a new addition to one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire: Broadway veteran Leslie Kritzer (A Catered Affair, Sondheim on Sondheim, Legally Blonde, The Musical) beginning August 28, 2012. Ms. Kritzer will step in for Julia Murney who departs the cast on August 25th.

It's Saturday, and that means its time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' round-up! Today's photos feature several Olympic tribute photos in honor of the Games closing in London tomorrow, August 12, including NEWSIES, MAMMA MIA!, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and THE NUTTY PROFESSOR at TPAC. Plus, THE LION KING, WEST SIDE STORY, York Theatre Company's CLOSER THAN EVER, A VERY POTTER SENIOR YEAR, THE BOOK OF MORMON and Tweets from regional productions of GUYS AND DOLLS, OLIVER!, GREASE, and more!