Algonquin Theater Productions Presents a Reading of New Musical THE PAPARAZZI

Algonquin Theater Productions presents the reading of an original musical by Al Tapper and Tony Sportiello, ripped from today's headlines. At a time when CNN, MSNBC and FOX are falling over themselves to fight the label of being 'fake news', the New York Beacon embraces it. The Paparazzi highlights the men and women who sacrifice their blood, their sweat and their dignity in an effort to get the raciest, steamiest, most provocative pictures and stories involving celebrities, regardless of the truth. L.R. Davidson plays Christie Barnes, an ambitious young reporter whose dream is to win a Pulitzer Prize but whose reality at the moment is stuck following D List celebrities at weddings and bar mitzvahs. Spencer Plachy plays the morally bankrupt owner of the Beacon, less interested in 'all the news that's fit to print' so much as how many Likes it will get on the Facebook Page. Drama Desk Award Winner Ken Jennings (Sweeney Todd) narrates the modern day fable as the spirit of Walter Winchell in the Broadway bound musical featuring the talents of Abe Goldfarb, Laua Kaldis, Kelli Maguire, Michael McIntyre and Dan Van Why.

Music and lyrics by Al Tapper (Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle), book by Tony Sportiello (One Night in the Valley, Second Chance), with music direction by David Wolfson (National Pastime, How The Grinch Stole Christmas). Courtney Constantino is the Associate Producer.

The Paparazzi will hold three public staged readings at the Davenport Theater, 354 West 45th Street, on March 19th and 20th. March 19th the readings will be at 3pm and 7pm. The reading on March 20th will be at 1pm.

Since 2004 Algonquin Theater Productions has produced six Off Broadway productions, including Sessions, LOL, The Devil and Billy Markham and National Pastime. National Pastime has played all over the country including New York, Washington, Austin, Phoenix and the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. The production in Guadalajara, Mexico garnered a boatload of awards, including Best Production.