CHRISTOPHER ROBIN IS DEAD to Have Readings at Depot Theater
The Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired musical on grief features a cast led by Sasha Lee Andrews and Adam Auslander.
Theatre Now New York will present two developmental readings of Christopher Robin Is Dead on August 27th and 28th at the Depot Theater in Garrison, NY.
The new musical by Helen Hayes Award-winning writer Britt Bonney uses the whimsical world of Winnie-the-Pooh to explore the enormity of grief and the absurdity of loss. Directed by Depot Theater Artistic Director Alice Jankell, this piece was chosen as the first project for Theatre Now's Writers Residency. A wine and cheese reception will follow each presentation.
The show draws on the work of A.A. Milne, recently released into public domain, as well as librettist/lyricist/composer Britt Bonney's own experiences. "After my sister passed unexpectedly at 36, I was surprised how unwelcome both she and the notion of her absence became in conversation with others," said Ms. Bonney. "I wanted to create a piece that approaches this most frightful of topics with curiosity, humor, and at times, joy, and Milne's beloved characters were a perfect fit."
These two presentations represent the culmination of a 3-week developmental process at the Philipstown Depot Theater, which is housed in the former Garrison Station building on Metro-North's Hudson Line, only an hour outside of Manhattan. According to Theatre Now Producing Artistic Director Tom Morrissey, "This residency allows the members of our Musical Writers Lab to get out of the writers room, put their work on its feet, and discover how audiences respond to it. We're very happy to be able to use local actors and offer the Philipstown community a glimpse into the developmental process."
The cast includes Sasha Lee Andrews, Adam Auslander, Jacqueline Evangelista, Devin Gibbs, Julie Heckert, Liz Keifer, Emily Plotkin, and Gem Sabin. Stage management by Thai Dodge. Musical Direction by Will Reynolds. Direction by Alice Jankell. The residency is made possible by a generous grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Theatre Now New York (TNNY) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of new musicals primarily known for their annual SOUND BITES Festival of 10-Minute Musicals. TNNY also produces developmental readings, workshops and productions of new musicals developed in their Musical Writers Lab. In addition, they host the monthly Verse Intro Cabaret series at SoHo Playhouse and monthly Industry Nights featuring Master Classes with notable musical theatre creators and other special events.
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