Midtown Direct Rep to Stage Reading of James Hindman's THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT, 7/14

Midtown Direct Rep will present a reading of the Terrance McNally Award finalist play, The Drama Department by James Hindman as part of Midtown Direct Rep's play development series focused on new and innovative American theatre: Theatre in the Loft. Directed by Peter Flynn, the reading will take place on Sunday, July 14th at 7:00PM. Admission: $15 Cover, Cash Bar, No Drink Minimum.

Following on the heels of MDR's successful development of Rated P (for parenthood), MDR's program, Theatre in the Loft, aims to do the same for other previously unseen material. MDR now presents monthly readings or workshops of new plays and musicals one Sunday night a month at 7 PM in the SOPAC loft. With a cash bar and post show discussions with the casts and creative teams, MDR fosters a fun and collaborative environment to nurture the development of top notch theatre right here at home.

The Drama Department by James Hindman (Pete 'n Keely) will be directed by Peter Flynn and performed by MDR members Adam Dannheisser (Rock of Ages), Danielle Ferland (Into The Woods), Jim Ferris (Lion King), Christiane Noll (Tony Nominee for Ragtime), and more TBA.

From the playwright: A mid-west high school takes great pride in its Debate & Dramatics teacher until the son of the school board president isn't cast as the lead in the school musical. Slowly and insidiously rumors are spread to create dissent and scandal as we watch loyal friends, students, and teachers turn against him in this sharp and gripping comedy of suspicion and personal integrity.

With perhaps more professional theater artists than any suburb of NYC, Maplewood/South Orange (NJ) is "where Broadway comes home to sleep." MDR, a theatre company created by and for these NJ-based artists, develops and presents relevant, world-class theatre for its community. For more information, go to: www.midtowndirectrep.org.

Midtown Direct Rep company members include two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz, Tony nominee Christiane Noll, and "Law & Order; SVU" regular Joel de la Fuente, among others. The Company is managed by Co-Artistic Directors Sandy Rustin and Jeremy Dobrish, Managing Director Jeffrey Shubart, and Producing Director Evan Fleischer.

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/ Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.