Photo Flash: Klea Blackhurst and More in MERMAN'S APPRENTICE at Birdland

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series presented a reading of Stephen Cole and David Evans' musical fable, "Merman's Apprentice" on Monday, June 15. Directed by Stephen Cole and Amy Burgess, the cast featured PJ Benjamin, Austin Colby, Eddie Korbich, Brian Charles Rooney, Klea Blackhurst, Bill Nolte, Desi Oakley, Sarah Sesler, Anita Gillette, Elizabeth Teeter and F. Michael Haynie, supported by a six piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel. Scroll down for photos!

Merman's Apprentice is a new musical fable with Book & Lyrics by Stephen (After the Fair, The Road To Qatar, Night of the Hunter) Cole and Music by David (Birds of Paradise, Children's Letters To God) Evans. Bistro Award Winner Klea Blackhurst will appear as Ethel Merman, along with a cast lead by Tony nominee Anita Gillette as Ethel''s Mom, with Bill Nolte as David Merrick, PJ Benjamin as Ethel''s Pop, and 13 year-old Elizabeth Teeter, who is currently playing Young Queen Elizabeth in The Audience on Broadway, will play Muriel Plakenstein: Merman's Apprentice.

The award-winning Broadway at Birdland concert series takes place every week at the historic music room, located in the heart of the theater district.

Photos by Kevin Alvey