DeLaria Stars in Industry Readings of Musical Play It Cool

This month, jazz musician, actress and comedian Lea Delaria (On the Town, The Rocky Horror Show) will headline two industry readings of the new jazz musical Play It Cool, on Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13, 2006 at Off-Broadway's Zipper Theatre (336 W. 37th St.). Both readings are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sharon Rosen (Always…Patsy Cline) directs.
 
With book by Larry Dean Harris (Bible Stories) and lyrics by Mark Winkler (Naked Boys Singing; Bark! The Musical), the musical "is set in the fictional underground jazz club Mary's Hideaway, circa 1953, and explores the underground world of mid-century gay Hollywood," state notes.
 
"Inspired by 1950s film noir, the musical looks at the laws governing gay and lesbian clubs of the time – when women weren't allowed to bartend and men couldn't dance with other men; when every glance had a double meaning, every word was an innuendo and everything had to be done to strict code."
 
Play It Cool features music by Phillip Swann, with additional musical contributions by Jim Andron, David Benoit, Michael Cruz, Michael Harris, Robert Kraft, Emilio Palame, Joe Pasquale, Dan Siegel and Larry Steelman.
 
Lea Delaria recently appeared in Little Fish at Second Stage Theatre and in this summer's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Paper Mill Playhouse.  Her Off-Broadway credits include On the Town (Obie, Theatre World, Drama Desk nominee) and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.
 
Joining DeLaria as Mary, the October readings of Play It Cool also feature Andrew Pandaleon as Will.  Panadaleon is recreating the role he originated in the Los Angeles production.
 
Earlier this summer, the show played a limited engagement at the Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles. That production recently garnered three L.A. Ovation Award nominations, including Best World Premiere Musical. An Off-Broadway production is being planned for 2007.