I Can Get It For You Wholesale Kicks Off Musicals In Mufti October 21
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 10, 2005
The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) will begin its 2005-2006 season with a collection of six "Musicals in Mufti" - musical theatre gems in staged concert performances. The series opens on October 21st with Jerome Weidman and Harold Rome's "I Can Get It for You Wholesale." The series continues with The Great Big Radio Show! , October 28-30, and Is There Life after High School?, November 4-6. 'Mufti' (pronounced MUFF tee) means "in street clothes; without the usual trappings". "Musicals in Mufti" are performed for just five performances each at York's home, Saint Peter's Theatre in Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street). I Can Get It for You Wholesale, with book by Jerome Weidman, music & lyrics by Harold Rome, takes a hard-boiled look at the cut-throat world of New York's garment district circa 1937. Harry Bogen is determined to rise to the top by whatever means are required. He starts small-time, then moves into the garment business with a few partners, and then shoves them out of his way. When he ends up bankrupt, only his mother is there to console him. Wholesale was originally directed on Broadway by Arthur Laurents, and was Barbra Streisand's first Broadway appearance--for which she received a 1962 Tony nomination; it boasts a wonderfully evocative score by the great Harold Rome and a hard-hitting book by Weidman based on his best-selling novel. The Mufti production will be directed by Richard Sabellico. Performance times are Friday October 21 at 8pm, Saturday October 22 at 2:30pm & 8pm, and Sunday October 23 at 2:30pm & 7:30pm. Audience discussions follow each matinee.
The Great Big Radio Show! with book by Philip Glassborow and Nick McIvor, music and lyrics by Philip Glassborow, and arrangements and dance music by David Rhind-Tutt, is a funny and tuneful musical comedy first presented in London in 1992, now seeing its American Premiere at The York. Radio Show takes place in 1933, in the Radio Building, New York, and the big Saturday night broadcast is just about to go on the air, live. It's the Great Big Radio Show, a weekly variety program starring Gloria Pilbeam. The only trouble is…she can't be found. Bandleader Blue Woodward has to find a replacement while the show is actually on the air... without letting the sponsor know what is going on, and in spite of some desperate hoodlums in the studio! Performance times are Friday October 28 at 8pm, Saturday October 29 at 2:30pm & 8pm, and Sunday October 30 at 2:30pm & 7:30pm. Audience discussions follow each matinee.
Is There Life after High School?, with book by Jeffrey Kindley, music & lyrics by Craig Carnelia, is based on the book of same name by Ralph Keyes. Carnelia will direct this production, with music direction by Brian Perry. High School is a funny yet bittersweet musical about the love/hate relationship that most adults have with their memories of high school. Were you the captain of the football team or head cheerleader? President of the Chess Club? The only kid who didn't have a prom date? Remember winning or losing the class election, spending the lunch hour alone in the cafeteria, or catching the touchdown pass? Relive those funny and poignant days with this musical from Broadway's 1982 season. Performance times are Friday November 4 at 8pm, Saturday November 5 at 2:30pm & 8pm, and Sunday November 6 at 2:30pm & 7:30pm. As usual, audience discussions follow each matinee.
Following Wholesale, Radio Show and High School, The York will present more 'Musicals in Mufti' including Theda Bara and the Frontier Rabbi (Off-Broadway, 1993; Jeff Hochhauser/Bob Johnston) and the New York Premiere of Mirette (Tom Jones/Harvey Schmidt/Elizabeth Diggs), and at least two fully-produced Mainstage productions (April & June), two workshops, and a family production. Please visit http://www.yorktheatre.org for more information.
Now beginning its 37th season, The York Theatre Company is the only theatre in New York City-and one of very few in the world-dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals, and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over three decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audience alike. More than 20 cast recordings from York productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as Jolson & Company, Sweeney Todd, and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) was developed in the York Theatre Company's Developmental Reading Series (where the current Tony Award-winning hit, Avenue Q, also started) and is currently playing off-Broadway at Dodger Stages-and around the county. Two other shows that began at York will open in commercial productions in New York City this fall- the delightful family musical Captain Louie at Off-Broadway's Little Shubert, and the hilarious Souvenir, starring Judy Kaye, at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at www.smarttix.com or call (212) 868-4444.Student/Senior rush tickets (if available) for $20 (Half Hour before curtain)THE York Theatre Company is located at 619 Lexington Avenue, corner of 54th. E train to Lexington Avenue, or 6 train to 51st Street (54th Street entrance of Saint Peter's)
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