Northwest Inkwell to Host Reading of New Musical THE DANCE

Northwest Inkwell is pleased to announce a new reading of the WWII musical, The Dance. The musical brings a fresh approach since its scheduled 2014 NYC reading starring Liz Callaway and Derek Klena. This musical is conceived and written by James Langston Drake and will take place in March at The Mercury Theatre (3745 N Southport Avenue, Chicago IL 60613).

James Langston Drake has written and conceived this musical in an effort to honor a generation of American heroes who have lived for years in silence about the struggles they faced in the 1940s. This amazing generation moved forward after the hardships of a world war and never looked back. Drake's hope is " ... to honor these veterans, factory workers, farmers and families with a musical that follows the struggles of four friends in the events that unfolded after Pearl Harbor."

This industry reading is headlined by Broadway and Off-Broadway veterans: Drama Desk Nominee Marya Grandy (Les Miserables, Damn Yankees-Encore! Series, The Great American Trailer Park Musical), Bret Tuomi (Rock of Ages), and Devin DeSantis (The Magdalene).

The Dance also features some of Chicago's best: Lillie Cummings, Brian Bohr, and Meghan McCandless, whose credits include shows at The Paramount, Marriott Lincolnshire, North Light, Chicago Shakespeare and more. Jameson Cooper, Dannie Smith (Jeff Award), Caleb Baze, Nate Lewellyn, Christine Mild, and Samantha Pauly round out this outstanding ensemble. The Chicago reading will be directed by Robert Hunt (Les Miserables) with music direction by Ryan T. Nelson (Jeff Award Nominee).