Rob Evan will headline a sneak-peak reading of the new musical Sheba at the Amas Six O'Clock Musical Theatre Lab as part of the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival. The show, which is described as a "Pop-Rock-Gospel Musical," will be presented at the Barrow Group Theatre (312 W. 36th St.) in three staged readings on September 27th at 3 PM and 6 PM, and on September 28th at 1 PM. The readings will precede a planned national tour.Joining Evan (Jekyll and Hyde, Little Shop of Horrors, Dance of the Vampires) as King Solomon is Brandy Chavonne Massey (Carolyn or Change, Wicked) as Ni'Caul, the Queen of Sheba, as well as Ana Marie Andricain (Beauty and the Beast), Sean Curley (Fiddler on the Roof), Brett Glazer, Kevin Free (From My Hometown) Danielle Greaves (Hairspray), Alan Green, DeQuina Moore (Little Shop of Horrors), Lyn Philistine (national tour of Cinderella), Manley Pope (Rent), Gerard Salvador (national tour of Mamma Mia!), Stacey Scotte, Kacie Sheik (We Will Rock You), Peter Matthew Smith (Hairspray), Jodi Stevens (Urban Cowboy), and Bruce Winant (Fiddler on the Roof). Set in 960 BCE, Sheba elaborates on the biblical story of the wise King Soloman of Israel and the proud Queen of Sheba. In the show, the characters become entwined in a relationship that is romantic as well as political, but their impending marriage is threatened by their conflicting moral codes and cultures, as well as by the jealousy of one of Solomon's wives.
Sheba is directed by Iona Morris, with music direction by Debra Barsha (Radiant Baby). With book and lyrics by Sharleen Cooper Cohen with music by Gary William Friedman, the show successfully debuted at the Jewish Repertory Theatre in 1996. "Now Sheba returns with an updated storyline, exciting new songs and a re-orchestrated, foot-stomping score to engage the new millennium musical theater audience," according to press notes. A showcase presentation of Sheba was presented in Los Angeles in 2004. "The new production is notable for its multi-ethnic cast. Sheba is also noted for its unique community outreach initiatives that bring together the African-American and Jewish communities in support of an uplifting entertainment experience exploring the historic connections between ancient Africa and Judea." Sheba was also awarded Honorable Mention in the Stage Play Script Category of the 2004 Writer's Digest Competition.Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director) founded in 1969 by Ms. Rosetta LeNoire, Amas is a 37-year-old performing arts organization grounded in non-traditional, multi-ethnic production, education and casting. Amas is devoted to the creation, development and professional production of original musical works and to the training and encouragement of new musical theatre talent. Amas productions include Lone Star Love, Zanna, Don't!, From My Hometown, Latin Heat, Langston Hughes's Little Ham, Reunion, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Mama, I Want to Sing, Four Guys Named José…and una Mujer Named María, and Rollin' on the T.O.B.A.
For ticket information, contact Amas Musical Theatre (212) 563-2565. For more information about Sheba, visit www.sharleencoopercohen.com.
