Jimmy Smagula, Renee Marino and Jennifer Naimo Lead Industry Reading of THE MOST MISERABLE CHRISTMAS TREE Today

The Most Miserable Christmas Tree, a new fun-filled family holiday musical with book and lyrics byTim Sulka and Debra Barsha, music by Debra Barsha, will be presented in a reading at 2:00 p.m. today, October 26, 2014, at ComedySportz, 733 N. Seward Street in Hollywood, CA (formerly, the HBO Workspace).

As a decorated Christmas tree, Douglas Fir enjoys the adoration that comes with the job - until the 13th Day of Christmas, when he is thrown out and left in a pile of trash! Determined to become a Christmas tree again, Douglas heads back to "Miss Balsam's Finishing School for Christmas Trees" to earn the right to be decorated again. Disaster after disaster plague Douglas in his quest and he only succeeds in becoming more miserable than ever - until an important discovery allows him to understand the real meaning of the holiday season and find his true purpose.

Directed by Todd Nielsen (Resident Director - Disney's The Lion King (Cheetah Tour), White Christmas, The Sound of Music - San Diego Musical Theatre; LA Ovation Awards, LA Stage Scene awarded Best Director of the Year 2012-2013), the cast includes: Jimmy Smagula, whose credits include "Rizzoli and Isles," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Grey's Anatomy," "Parks and Recreation," The Producers(film), and on Broadway in Billy Elliott, The Little Mermaid, The Full Monty and others, stars in the titular role of Douglas Fir. Renee Marino (Jersey Boys - film and Broadway), Jennifer Naimo, ("Annie Claus is Coming to Town," "The Closer," "Nip/Tuck," Broadway's Jersey Boys, Les Miserables), and standup comic Sandra Valls ("Latino 101," Showtime's "Latin Divas of Comedy") will also read key roles. Deborah Hurwitz (Conductor - Jersey Boys, Miss Saigon; Music Supervisor - Bedbugs!) will serve as Musical Director.

According to Sulka, "the musical explores the idea of what happens when someone, in this case, a tree, is discarded and has lost his purpose. After discovering what happens to Christmas trees when Christmas is over, Douglas Fir is determined to recapture what he once had. But becoming a Christmas Tree for the second time presents new obstacles and becomes quite a challenge. Through the course of his journey, Douglas discovers that there might be another, greater purpose in store for him."

"The world of Christmas trees seemed an ideal and magical place to explore these themes," Barsha added. "Douglas is just a simple working class tree who wants what every Christmas Tree wants -- to be decorated again. Our goal is to bring Douglas Fir and the wonderful world of Christmas trees to life and hopefully create a new Christmas tradition."

Barsha composed the score for Radiant Baby and currently serves as Associate Conductor on Jersey Boys Broadway. Sulka is co-writer of the Miramax/Dimension film Children of the Corn 666 and is Associate Company Manager on Jersey Boys Broadway.

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