Wilson, Simard, Lee, Etc. Set for 'Christmas in July'

On Monday July 23, ASTEP (Artists Striving To End Poverty) will present "Christmas in July: Misfit Kids' Letters to Old St. Nick," the world premiere of a collection of naughty (and nice) holiday-themed theatre songs by lyricist Kenneth Jones and composer Gerald Stockstill (both alumni of The BMI-Lehman Musical Theatre Workshop) as a benefit fundraiser for ASTEP's programs.

Music-directed by Drama Desk Award-winner and ASTEP founder Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Broadway's "Company"), the 7:30 PM concert at The Players Theatre (115 Macdougal Street at Minetta Lane, 1-1/2 blocks south of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village) will feature Chris Hoch (Broadway's "Spamalot," "Beauty and the Beast"), Daniel C. Levine (Broadway's "Chicago," "The Rocky Horror Show"), Cindy Marchionda (Arena Stage's "Damn Yankees"), Sally Wilfert (Broadway's "Assassins" and the New York-bound "Make Me a Song") and Jessica-Snow Wilson (Broadway's "Little Shop of Horrors"), with special guests including Emily Harvey, Tony® Award nominee Gavin Lee ("Mary Poppins") and Drama Desk Award nominee Jennifer Simard (Broadway's "…Spelling Bee," Off-Broadway's "The Thing About Men" and "I Love You, You're Perfect…"), plus more guests to be announced.

Jones and Stockstill are developing a new musical comedy revue of darkly funny letters to Santa Claus in which kids are played by adults. "We thought our so-far orphaned songs would make for a fun concert with a variety of voices," composer Stockstill said, "and we were excited to be invited by ASTEP to test our work in front of an audience for the first time."

Lyricist Jones, who is also managing editor of Playbill.com, added, "It's nice knowing that songs sung by selfish, bratty, greedy characters will be doing some good for children who are in true need. ASTEP brings hope, comfort and joy to kids around the world, and Jerry and I have promised that beyond this concert, ASTEP will benefit from any future success our show has."

This is Jones and Stockstill's first major collaboration together since meeting in the Tony-Honored BMI Workshop. They recently worked with other writers on the musicals "Too Good to Be True" (Stockstill and lyricist Amy Coady) and "Voice of the City" (Jones and composer Elaine Chelton).

A $20 pledge to ASTEP will secure a seat for this dress-casual, book-in-hand concert, which is part of ASTEP's tradition of giving voice to emerging songwriters. All artists are volunteering their talent, and 100 percent of the money supports ASTEP's mission to bring the arts to kids in need.

To make a "Christmas in July" reservation, e-mail tickets@createsomethinggood.org or call (212) 706-1516. Put your name on the reservation list, and just show up with $20 per seat (cash or check in hand) at The Players Theatre July 23! Seating for the 7:30 PM show is general admission, and seating is limited! 

For more information about ASTEP's programs, visit www.createsomethinggood.org. For more information about Jones and Stockstill, e-mail DearSantaMusical@aol.com.

Photo of Gavin Lee by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.