MTF to Offer Sneak Peeks of NIKOLA TESLA DROPS THE BEAT and SHADES OF WAYNE in ACT ONEs, 1/26

Musical Theatre Factory to present first looks at NIKOLA TESLA DROPS THE BEAT and SHADES OF WAYNE in ACT ONEs, Monday, January 26th at 8pm.

On Monday, January 26th at 8pm Musical Theatre Factory (MTF) presents ACT ONEs, a first look at two shows currently being developed through the MTF Writers' Group, facilitated by Founding Artistic Director Shakina Nayfack. The presentation will feature first acts of NIKOLA TESLA DROPS THE BEAT, music by Nikko Benson; book and lyrics by Benjamin James Halstead, and SHADES OF WAYNE, music by Lisa Burns; words by Christopher Staskel.

NIKOLA TESLA DROPS THE BEAT is an electronic fantasia telling the story of history's most overlooked inventor as he fights to bring his vision of the future to the world. The show's modern style mirrors Tesla's obsession with that future (now our present). Tesla himself becomes a rock star DJ, and the anachronistic ensemble brings his historical partners and adversaries to new life. The story tracks his success and failure as he goes from hopeful student to esteemed inventor to mad scientist and back again.

The cast features Jeremy Morse as Tesla, with Matthew Murphy, Amanda Brooklyn, Samantha Massell, Ally Bonino, Barrett Wilbert Weed, F. Michael Haynie, Heath Saunders, Injoy Fountain, and Conor Ryan. Chantal Pavageaux directs.

SHADES OF WAYNE is a dark comedy about elderly couple Wayne and Aggie who, after Wayne survives a debilitating stroke, both cling so tightly to younger, pre-stroke versions of Wayne in their minds that they develop imaginary friends, Wayne's Wayne and Aggie's Wayne. However, when their grandson comes home for Christmas and their daughter hires an attractive, charismatic therapist to help the family, the resulting chaos and conflict force Aggie and Wayne to face their unspoken desires and move on.

The cast features Steve Hauck, Mary Jo McConnell, Kevin McGlynn, Dustin Sullivan, Liz Lark Brown, Michael Kushner, and Stuart Marland. Celine Rosenthal directs.

Both NIKOLA TESLA DROPS THE BEAT and SHADES OF WAYNE will be music directed by founding MTF member Max Mamon.

The ACT ONEs presentation takes place January 26th at 8pm and has a $12 suggested donation at the door. $10 advance reservations can be made at http://mtf.nyc/events/act-ones-featuring-nikola-tesla-drops-the-beat-and-shades-of-wayne/.