Ashley Kate Adams, Dan Cooney, and More Announced for GAY BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN

The iStar Theatre Lab's Producing Artistic Director Tony Spinosa and Managing Director Laura Bultman, announced today announced final casting for Gay Bride of Frankenstein a new musical by Billy Butler and Dane Leeman. The musical which will be directed by 2011 New York Innovative Theatre (IT Award) nominee Rachel Klein is part of iStar Theatre Lab's inaugural season scheduled to take place July 16th through August 5th in New York City.

Called "Scooby Doo meets The Rocky Horror Picture Show" by Theatermania.com, this will be the latest go around for the rock and roll tuner which was a 2009 audience favorite at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and enjoyed subsequent presentations at Joe's Pub. "To be given the chance to sit down and incubate this show is a tremendous opportunity." says Gay Bride of Frankenstein composer/lyricist Billy Bultler "It's a dream come true to live and breath the material every day with a roomful of actors, writers and industry professionals in a safe environment, without the pressure of a deadline."

Gay Bride of Frankenstein which will feature the talents of Ashley Kate Adams (B'way - La Cage aux Folles), Dan Cooney (B'way Mamma Mia), Megan Kane (Junie B. Jones – Nat'l Tour), Wade Elkins (Blue Man Group – Chicago), Bradley Gale, Maggie Politi (Suessical – Nat'l Tour) and Derek Carly is a musical gothic fairy tale that follows the exploits of four high school friends on one Halloween night. Will the girl get the girl? Never has there been a Halloween love story like this with rock and roll, mystery, magic and a cartoon caper that will scare audiences silly.

"Gay Bride of Frankenstein is not only a fun romp, but also includes moving moments about love, acceptance and understanding who we really are and strive to be." said Laura Bultman, Managing Director of iStar Theatre Lab. "There is timely truth to the story. We are excited to watch the show develop with the help of the Lab's resources."

The iStar Theatre Lab is the brainchild of Director / Choreographer Tony Spinosa who recently served as Resident Director of the 2010 Tony Award winning revival of La Cage aux Folles on Broadway and two-time Cringe Festival winner for his work on Charlie Chang and the Mysterious Salami (2008) and Is That a Spear in Your Pocket? (2009). The 2012 iStar Theatre Lab in New York City will also include Veils the Arab Spring drama by Tom Coash directed by award-winning actress Camille Saviola.

The iStar Theatre Lab is a three-week workshop designed to provide mentorship and guidance in a risk-free environment for emerging or established artists who wish to develop and nurture their work. Artists who participate in the iStar Theater Lab benefit from a day-on day-off rehearsal structure which allows each participant to nurture ideas and explore his or her own work without the pressure of producing new pages every day. After three weeks of intensive work, each project is presented to the iStar Theatre Lab community in a closed session. The presentation is followed by a feedback session led by the iStar Theatre Lab's Producing Artistic Director and creative team.

iStar Theatre Lab is a nonprofit organization founded by Tony Spinosa in 2012. Through its program, the iStar Theatre Lab provides playwrights, directors, composers, and librettists with a safe creative space in which to cultivate their work. The Lab supports its writers by providing directors, choreographers, full casts, stage management, and other professionals who can encourage, support and enrich the projects. www.istartheatrelab.org