LingoLand - Musical Revue with words by Kenward Elmslie at the York

By: BWW News Desk Jan. 08, 2005

LINGOLAND
New Musical Revue
With
Words by Kenward Elmslie
Premieres Off-Broadway on February 23
At The York Theatre Company
Performances begin February 7

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), will present the world premiere of LingoLand, a musical revue with words by Kenward Elmslie and music by a wide array of composers, beginning Monday, February 7 at the Company's home at Saint Peter's, Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street). Lingoland opens on Wednesday, February 23 and continues through Sunday, March 20. The show is directed by James Morgan with musical supervision by Jack Lee.

For five decades a leading figure in the New York School of Poetry, Kenward Elmslie is also a librettist, lyricist, playwright, composer and visual artist. LingoLand reflects the breadth of Elmslie's work. It includes theater songs, opera arias, poems, poem songs, tall tales, memories, and scenes from plays all woven together, and includes projections of works by some of the artists with whom Mr. Elmslie has worked, including Joe Brainard, Red Grooms, Larry Rivers and Alex Katz. The show features music by Claibe Richardson as well as such composers as Ned Rorem, Jack Beeson and Steven Taylor. It also includes new songs with music by Doug Katsaros, Joshua Rosenblum, Andrew Gerle and Steven Dolginoff.

Acclaimed poet John Ashbery said, "Kenward Elmslie has led an extraordinarily diverse and rich writing career. Master showman, poet, novelist, librettist and 'performance artist,' Elmslie is one of the unforgettable writers of our time."

The cast features Jane Bodle, Jason Dula, Jeanne Lehman, Lauren Shealy, Steve Routman and Elmslie. LingoLand has musical staging by Janet Watson; Matt Castle is Music Director. Lighting design is by Mary Jo Dondlinger and costume design is by Suzy Benzinger.

Elmslie's work for the musical theater includes the book and lyrics for the Broadway musical, The Grass Harp and Lola, both with music by Claibe Richardson, and Postcards on Parade, with music by Steven Taylor. He has written six opera librettos, including The Sweet Bye and Bye and Lizzie Borden, music by Jack Beeson; Miss Julie, music by Ned Rorem; and three with composer Thomas Pasatieri -- The Seagull, Washington Square and Three Sisters.

His poetry books include Motor Disturbance, which won the Frank O'Hara Prize, Routine Disruptions and Tropicalism. His novel, The Orchid Stories, was published by Doubleday.

Morgan says: "I have known Kenward Elmslie for 25 years, but it was only three years ago that I realized that his career is unique: who else has used words so differently, and so successfully, in such a wide range of mediums? If we can entertain audiences and at the same time, fascinate them with his work as much as I am, we will have succeeded."

The York Theatre Company is the only theater 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 more than 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 audiences alike. More than 20 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals - The Musical!, Jolson & Company, Sweeney Todd, and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. Its hit production of Souvenir was developed in the York Theatre Company's Developmental Reading Series, where the current Tony Award-winning Broadway hit, Avenue Q, also started.

LingoLand will run February 7 to March 20 on the following schedule
Monday and Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. : (no Tuesday performances)

Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm; Sunday matinees at 3:00pm
Tickets are $55. Student tickets are available on the day of the performance for $20, subject to availability. Tickets are available at Smarttix.com, (212) 868-4444, or in person at the box office on the lower level at Saint Peter's, 619 Lexington Avenue (enter at 54th).

LINGOLAND

First Performance: February 7, 2005

Opening Date: February 23, 2005
Words by: Kenward Elmslie
Music by: Jack Beeson, Steven Dolginoff, Andrew Gerle, Doug Katsaros, Claibe Richardson, Ned Rorem, Joshua Rosenblum, Steven Taylor
Director: James Morgan

Music Supervision: Jack Lee

Cast: Kenward Elmslie
Jane Bodle
Jason Dula
Jeanne Lehman
Steve Routman
Lauren Shealy

Musical Staging Janet Watson
Music Director: Matt Castle
Lighting Design: Mary Jo Dondlinger
Costume Design: Suzy Benzinger
Projection Design: Julio Soler

Theatre: York Theatre. Saint Peter's Citigroup Center
619 Lexington Avenue (54th Street)

Tickets $55 (Day of performance: $20)

Smarttix: (212) 868-4444

http://www.smarttix.com

Performance Schedule: Monday and Wednesday through Saturdays at 8 pm
(no Tuesday perfs)
Wednesday at Saturday matinees at 2:30pm
Sunday matinees at 3:00pm

Information: http://www.yorktheatre.com

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