Brad Oscar and Christine Pedi Set For Free Reading Of AESOP AND COMPANY

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff/Producing Artistic Director), in association with Randall L. Wreghitt, will present free performances of Aesop and Company, a new musical with book and lyrics by Jay Jeffries, book and music by John McMahon, directed by Jay Binder. The performances will take place on Thursday, December 16th at 3:00pm, Friday, December 17th at 11:00am and 3:00pm, and Saturday, December 18th at 10:30am at New 42nd Street Studios, 229 West 42nd Street.

Aesop and Company is a comic tale of how the famed fabulist's career was launched, an evil king's plots foiled, and a gorgeous slave woman wooed and won. The presentations are part of the ongoing Amas Lab and Workshop Series, a development program for writers, lyricists and composers to develop and advance their new musicals. These four performances are being offered free to the public.

"Aesop and Company is the fable behind the fables and it has it all", says Donna Trinkoff, Amas's Producing Artistic Director. "The story is meticulously crafted and very funny; the music and lyrics are witty, charming and absolutely delightful," she adds. "It's a true homage to classical musical theatre and with the creative team and cast we've assembled, audiences will have a ball".

Aesop and Company is the latest collaboration between veteran composer/pianist/music director John McMahon (Satan's School for Girls) and writer/lyricist Jay Jeffries (That's My New York! and Friends Like These, with Mr. McMahon). Jay Binder's multi-faceted career includes stage direction of Present Laughter for The Acting Company, and Rex, Best Foot Forward, Androcles and the Lion, and Jumbo for the York Theatre, as well as casting for scores of Broadway shows. Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow, A Tale of Two Cities) is choreographer and Eric Stern (Shrek, Xanadu, etc.) is music director.

The cast includes Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show]), Kimberly Fauré , Matt Ferrell, Jennifer Frankel (Curtains), Josh Grisetti (Enter Laughing), John Christopher Jones (Heartbreak House, Otherwise Engaged, etc.), Alli Mauzey (Cry Baby, Wicked), Sean McKnight (Curtains), Brad Oscar (The Producers, Young Frankenstein, etc.), Amber Owens (Mary Poppins), Christine Pedi (NEWSical the Musical, Forbidden Broadway, etc.), Blair Ross (42nd Street, Stormy Weather at Amas), Josh Rouah (Wicked, South Pacific National Tour), Danny Rutigliano (The Lion King, Kismet), Jennifer Smith (The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, etc.), Edward Watts (Finian's Rainbow), and Anthony Wayne (Anyone Can Whistle at Encores!, A Chorus Line National Tour).

Theatre programs at Amas are supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years building strong, creative communities in New York's 62 counties, and by the ASCAP Foundation Irving Caesar Fund, the BMI Foundation, the Barbara Bell Cummings Foundation, the Dramatists Guild, the Edith Meiser Fund, the Shubert Foundation, and through the generous support of many individuals.

OFF-OFF BROADWAY THEATRE LISTINGS/FREE EVENTS

Amas Musical Theatre presents a free staging of the new musical

AESOP AND COMPANY
Book and lyrics by Jay Jeffries, book and music by John McMahon

directed by Jay Binder

Thursday, December 16th at 3:00pm,

Friday, December 17th at 11:00am and 3:00pm

Saturday, December 18th at 10:30am

The New 42nd Street Studios is located at 229 West 42nd Street.

TICKETS: ARE FREE

FOR RESERVATIONS EMAIL: boxoffice@amasmusical.org or CALL (212) 563-2565

VISIT www.amasmusical.org

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director) -- New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968. Amas ("you love" in Latin) is devoted to the creation, development and professional production of new American musicals through the celebration of diversity and minority perspectives, the emergence of new artistic talent, and the training and encouragement of inner-city young people. In recent years, Amas has emerged as a leading not-for-profit laboratory for new musicals, including SIGNS OF LIFE, WANDA'S WORLD; SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL; Lone Star Love; FROM MY HOMETOWN; ZANNA, DON'T!; 4 Guys NAMED JOSE; and STORMY WEATHER: IMAGINING Lena Horne. Amas education programs include the Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy, the Immigration Experience for middle and high schools, and Lens on Live Theatre. Visit www.amasmusical.org.

Photo credit: Ben Strothmann

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