Photos: Amas Musical Theatre 56th Anniversary Benefit Reunion Concert

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City’s award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, celebrated its 56th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 19, 2025 at Theatrer 555. Following the concert, there was a reception at Penthouse 45. The evening benefited Amas Musical Theatre’s education programs.

There was a 20th Anniversary reunion concert performance of Lone Star Love or, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas  (featuring “The Red Clay Ramblers”), conceived and adapted by John L. Haber, music and lyrics by Jack Herrick, additional music and lyrics by Tommy Thompson and Bland Simpson. Directed by Randy Skinner. The Honorary Chair is Bill Irwin.

An inspired musical western adaptation of Shakespeare's bawdy, laugh-out-loud play, Lone Star Love or, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas stampedes onto the stage. Lone Star Love sets the Bard's The Merry Wives of Windsor in post-Civil War Texas. Ex-Confederate Colonel Falstaff charms his way into the graces of Mrs. Page and Mrs. Ford, wives of two wealthy cattle ranchers, and proclaims his passions to each lady--with an eye on the irhusbands' riches. But who's fooling whom--the Colonel, mild-mannered Mrs. Page or madly jealous Mrs. Ford? And who will win the hand of pretty Miss Anne Page--local yokel Master Slender, elegant immigrant Dr. Caius or Fenton, the yodeling cowboy? Book a trip to Windsor, Texas and find out for yourself!

Amas' Fall 2004 Mainstage production at The John Houseman Theatre received two Lucille Lortel Award nominations for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreography and an Outer Critics Circle nomination for Best Off-Broadway Musical. The director Michael Bogdanov and the choreographer Randy Skinner were nominated for the 2005 Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Callaway Awards for "Excellence in the Craft of Direction and Choreography."

The cast, featuring many members of the original cast is Gary Bristol, Clay Buckner, Stacia Fernandez, Harriet D. Foy, Chris Frank, Stacey Harris, Jack Herrick, John Jellison, Lauren Kennedy, David Longworth, Drew McVety, Ollie Oshay, Kilty Reidy, Nick Sullivan, Julie Tolivar, Brandon Williams, Dana Zihlman Harshawans, Miguel Angel Vazquez, and Jay O. Sanders as Falstaff. The Production Stage Manager is Chris Steckl and Benjamin A. Vigil is Assistant Stage Manager.