Stephanie D’Abruzzo, Christine Pedi, KT Sullivan Lead Mufti Concerts

York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced the casts for Oh, Coward! and The Mad Show, the next titles in its Summer 2011 Musicals in Mufti Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances. The concerts will run from July 15-17 and July 29-31, respectively. Individual tickets are $39.50 and available at the York box office (12-6 PM, Mon-Fri), by phone (212-935-5820), and at yorktheatre.org.

Oh, Coward! will feature Peter Land (RSC's All's Well That Ends Well on Broadway; The Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret in London), Jim Stanek (The Story of My Life, Little Women) and MAC Award winner KT Sullivan (headliner at The Oak Room and Carnegie Hall, "A Prairie Home Companion") with direction by Michael Montel (returning to direct his 18th Mufti) and music direction by Greg Pliska (War Horse).
The Mad Show will feature Tony Award nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q, I Love You Because), Chris Hoch (La Cage Aux Folles, Spamalot), Christine Pedi (Newsical, Sirius XM Radio), Tally Sessions (Yank!, The House of Blue Leaves) and Steven Strafford (Spamalot); with direction by Carl Andress (The Divine Sister) and music direction by Matt Castle (Enter Laughing, The Musical).

Show info:
Oh, Coward!
Words and Music by Noël Coward
Devised by Roderick Cook

Oh, Coward! is a revue of material from the Noël Coward library that premiered in 1972. The show intersperses some of Coward's best songs with writings and anecdotes from his life. Witty, melodic and as dry as a glass of great champagne, Sir Noël's work is unparalleled in its sophisticated style and ability to entertain theatre lovers of all ages. The New York Times called it "ingenious & very, very funny!"

The Mad Show
Based on MAD Magazine
Book by Larry Siegel and Stan Hart
Lyrics by Marshall Barer, Larry Siegel and Steven Vinaver
Music by Mary Rodgers

The Mad Show premiered in 1966. A comic revue filled with songs, sketches and the irreverent humor in the style of the ever-popular MAD Magazine, the original production featured Linda Lavin and Jo Anne Worley. While spoofing everything from television commercials to the generation gap, The Mad Show includes the timeless song, "The Boy From..." written by Stephen Sondheim as Esteban Rio Nido.

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. Over the past two seasons alone, York productions and artists have been nominated for a combined 19 Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Off Broadway Alliance, AUDELCO and Callaway Awards (and its productions of Yank! A WWII Love Story and Enter Laughing, The Musical have both been announced for Broadway). For over four 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, including a special Drama Desk Award for "developing and producing new musicals." Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its Mainstage Series-most of them world, American, or New York premieres-by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 35 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and its acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.

GENERAL INFO:
2011 Musicals in Mufti Concert Series:
Oh, Coward!
Words and Music by Noël Coward
Devised by Roderick Cook
July 15-17, 2011

The Mad Show
Based on MAD Magazine
Book by Larry Siegel and Stan Hart
Lyrics by Marshall Barer, Larry Siegel and Steven Vinaver
Music by Mary Rodgers
July 29-31, 2011
Tickets: $39.50 at yorktheatre.org or 212-935-5820

York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's
Enter on 54th Street Just East of Lexington
E or M train to Lexington Avenue or 6 train to 51st Street

www.yorktheatre.org

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes