New Musicals QUESTION 1 and OSWALD to Tackle Politics in NYTB's New Works Series

The tenth season of New York Theatre Barn's New Works Series concludes on Monday, December 4, 2017 at The Cell with pre-premieres of two new musicals: Question 1 and Oswald.

Inspired by true events, Question 1 is a new musical with book, music, and lyrics by Chris Reza. When a closeted politician becomes the center of Maine's heated 2009 same-sex marriage debate, he must choose between being honest with himself and the world, or risk losing his entire career and family. Question 1 is a musical dramedy about human equality and the power within each of us to contribute either strife or kindness to humanity. The presentation will be directed by New York Theatre Barn's Artistic Director Joe Barros (Cagney, Bastard Jones), with music direction by James Higgins (Old Jews Telling Jokes), and a cast that includes Cam Cote, George Dvorsky (Closer Than Ever), Alie B. Gorie (Bastard Jones), Julia Johanos, Deven Kolluri (The Boy Who Danced On Air), Jordyn Norkey, Onyie Nwachukwu (Rent National Tour), Nicholas Park (Bedbugs), and Anthony Simone. Question 1 is being presented in association with Jesse B. Langston (Joan of Arc: Into the Fire).

The new musical Oswald features a book by Tony LePage and Josh Sassanella, and music and lyrics by Josh Sassanella. November 22nd, 1963: John F. Kennedy's presidential motorcade heads ominously down the streets of Dallas, Texas. 3 shots ring out. Days later, Lee Harvey Oswald is led through the basement of the Dallas Police headquarters, only to meet his doom at the hands of Jack Ruby. A nation mourns. Not only for the loss of a great leader, but for a truth that can never be told. Writers LePage and Sassanella also have careers as actors; LePage was featured in the Broadway production of Rock of Ages and is currently a member of the original Broadway company of Come From Away.

There will be 2 performances of each musical: 7PM and 9PM at The Cell, located at 338 West 23rd Street in New York City. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, and can be purchased at www.nytheatrebarn.org. Through an education initiative sponsored by Theatre Barn's board of directors, a limited amount of free tickets are available to high school students. To request a student ticket, email Associate Artistic Director Katharine Pettit: katie@nytheatrebarn.org.

New York Theatre Barn is a Manhattan-based non-profit theatre company, founded in 2007, dedicated to incubating and producing new musicals that tell untold stories. Our stories are inspired by the lives of real people and actual events that challenge our preconceived ideas, and promote inclusion and positive social change. In today's divisive political and social climate, we believe that now more than ever, these types of stories need to be seen and heard by more people. Theatre Barn's core program is the New Works Series which presents bi-monthly "pre-premieres" of new musicals in the early stages of development. With each installment, 2 new musicals are showcased before a live audience and a worldwide virtual audience. Since the series' inception, we have presented more than 400 writers in 100 pre-premieres, and have amassed a catalogue of nearly 2,000 videos with a million views. For more information, go to www.nytheatrebarn.org.