York Theatre Company to Present Concerts of The Gig & People Like Us; Both to be Recorded by Jay

The York Theatre Company will present benefit concerts of two new musicals--The Gig and People Like Us--in May, while Jay Records will record each the day after the shows' respective performances on May 2nd and May 7th (both at 8 PM).

The Gig features music, books and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen (No Way to Treat a Lady). Directed by Victoria Bussert, the show concerns "A used car salesman, a dentist, a real estate agent, a financial advisor, a deli owner and a music teacher (who ) put their careers and families on hold to pursue their passion — music — with their first professional 'gig' in the Catskills." Casting has yet to be announced for the musical, which won a Richard Rodgers Award and is based on the 1985 film written and directed by Frank D. Gilroy. David Evans will provide musical direction.

Starring Matt Bogart (Aida, Miss Saigon) and Pamela Bob, People Like Us is a romantic musical following "Pamela and Matt, single and thirty, (who) escape from two very bad dates and run into each other in Washington Square. They haven't seen each other since breaking up in high school. Pamela is now a professor at NYU; Matt's a rising television star in LA. The old fire between them is quickly rekindled." Featuring music by Todd Almond and a book and lyrics by Almond and Gus Kaikkoken (who will also direct), the show will also feature musical direction by Almond.

Jay Records has produced cast recordings for numerous musicals presented by the York Theatre Company--including I Sing!, Prodigal, The It Girl, Lucky Stiff and The Musical of Musicals.

The York Theatre Company is in residence at St. Peter's Theatre, located in Saint Peter's Church, just east of Lexington Avenue on East 54th Street. Visit www.smarttix.com or www.yorktheatre.org for tickets. For more on Jay Records, visit www.jayrecords.com.