Innaurato's 'Gemini' Musicalized for NYMF, 9/18

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and The University of the Arts present Gemini the Musical, by Albert Innaurato (book & lyrics) and Charles Gilbert (music & lyrics), based on the 1977 play, also by Innaurato, which ran for four sold-out years on Broadway.  Directed by Mark Robinson with choreography by Rhonda Miller, this production will play six performances from September 18 to October 1 at The Acorn Theater (410 West 42nd Street).

"When Francis Geminiani comes home from Harvard to his working-class neighborhood, he faces his biggest challenge yet: coming out to his macho father, Fran.  Based on the long-running Broadway comedy, Gemini the Musical features a cast of unforgettable characters and a score that's tastier than South Philly gravy," describe press notes.

The cast features Linda Hart and Joel Blum (two-time Tony Award nominee), with set design by Dana Kenn, lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, sound design by Duncan Cutler and musical direction by Christine Riley.

Librettist Albert Innaurato's work includes Gemini (four years on Broadway), Passione (Playwrights Horizons, Broadway), The Transformation of Benno Blimpie (two off-Broadway productions), Magda and Callas, Coming of Age in Soho (Public Theater), Gus and Al (Playwrights) and Dreading Thekla (Williamstown Theatre Festival).  In addition to The Idiots Karamazov, he collaborated with Christopher Durang on I Don't Normally Like Poetry but Have You Read Trees and Gyp, the Real-Life Story of Mitzi Gaynor.  He is currently on staff at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Among Charles Gilbert's (music & lyrics) credits include writer and composer of Assassins, source of the idea for the Stephen Sondheim musical which premiered off-Broadway in 1991 and won seven Tony-Awards when it was recently revived on Broadway.  His musical B.G.D.F. was seen in New York in 1983 in a showcase starring Gregg Edelman. Gilbert has headed the Musical Theater Program at Philadelphia's University of the Arts since its inception in 1990.

Gemini the Musical will play the following schedule at The Acorn Theater (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues), as part of The New York Musical Theatre Festival: Tuesday September 18 at 8PM; Friday September 21 at 1PM; Saturday September 22 at 8PM; Tuesday September 25 at 8PM; Saturday September 29 at 4:30PM; Monday October 1 at 8PM.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.nymf.org or by calling 212-352-3101.  For more information, please visit www.geminithemusical.com.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, now in its fourth year, is a three-week event in NYC that has premiered over 70 musicals in its first two years, becoming the largest musical theatre event in American history. It is now widely regarded among the entertainment industry as the key source for new material and talent discovery.