New Musical CLEAR Gets Reading Today at NYTW, Directed by Stafford Arima

CLEAR, a new American musical by Paul Oakley Stovall (book, music and lyrics) will receive a reading in NYC today, August 27th.

Stafford Arima (Carrie, Altar Boyz) directs, with musical direction by Brad Simmons (Lysistrata Jones). CLEAR was first developed at the 2010 Eugene O'Neill National Music Theatre Conference, and has also received workshop productions at Dixon Place, About Face Theatre, and a concert reading at Pritzker Pavilion for the city of Chicago's IN THE WORKS program.

The reading will feature Mr. Stovall (RENT, Shortbus), Mr. Simmons (CAMP), Pauletta Washington (Crowns, Two Trains Running ), Marcus Paul James (RENT, In The Heights), Yassmin Alers (RENT-OBC, Rocky Horror), Kevin Kern (First Date, Les Miserables), Leenya Rideout (Company, Cyrano), Sean Dugan (Oz, Smash), and Olive Mitra.

CLEAR tells the tale of Lawson Bennett (Stovall),a struggling actor/retail clerk, searching for direction both professionally and personally. By saying yes to life's unpredictability, he finds himself working on the presidential campaign of upstart independent candidate Senator Stephens (Washington),

With an eclectic and sweeping original score (additional music by Tony award winner Stew), CLEAR mines the issues of race, gender, and sexuality in America-- the boxes we are put into, as well as the ones of our own making.

CLEAR is currently supported by Steve and Ruth Hendel ( FELA!, In The Heights, American Idiot), Tom Gabbard (Pippin, Kinky Boots), Patricia Klausner (Scottsboro Boys), Michele Crowley, and Emmy winner Wayne Brady.

The reading is by invitation only and will be hosted by New York Theatre Workshop -- Jim Nicola, Artistic Director.

Photo from a production of CLEAR at About Face Theatre in Chicago, Oct 2012.