Bayou City's NEW GIRL IN TOWN Begins Performances Tonight

Jon L. Egging has joined the cast of Bayou City Concert Musicals' production of the 1957 George Abbott musical version of Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie, New Girl in Town. Egging replaces Charles Krohn, who had to drop out of the production because of a knee injury.

BCCM Artistic Director Paul Hope says, "We are fortunate to get an actor of Jon Egging's quality to replace the nearly irreplaceable Charles Krohn. Jon is one of Houston's finest character actors and has become a real favorite of BCCM audiences after appearing in our last two concert musicals, One Touch of Venus and The Pajama Game." Egging will play the role of Chris, the father of the "new girl in town." He will join Marijane Vandivier, Krissy Richmond and John Gremillion in the featured roles.

New Girl in Town will open at the Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin, tonight, September 4, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. Subsequent performances will be Friday, September 5, at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 6, at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 7, for two performances at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The fully-staged concert musical production will mark the premiere of New Girl in Town in Houston. New Girl in Town was nominated for five Tony Awards in 1958 and won two...both for best performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

The book for New Girl in Town was written by George Abbott with music and lyrics by Bob Merrill, who at the time was best known writing the novelty song, "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?" Of course, Merrill went on to a stellar Broadway career, including his most famous work, Funny Girl.

BCCM Artistic Director Paul Hope will direct BCCM's production with co-director Mitchell Greco, musical director Michael Mertz, conductor Dominique Røyem, and choreographer Melissa Pritchett.

Proceeds from Bayou City Concert Musicals' production of New Girl in Town will benefit the Tim Harris Memorial Fund, which supports local musicians who have suffered catastrophic illness or injury.

Tickets to New Girl in Town are available by phone at 713-465-6484 or on-line at www.bayoucityconcertmusicals.org. Single ticket prices range from $50 to $25.

Bayou City Concert Musicals is funded in part by grants from the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.