Jessica Grove to Lead Prospect Theater's THE UNDERCLASSMAN, Begin. 11/9

Prospect Theater Company will present The Underclassman, an original musical that explores F. Scott Fitzgerald's coming of age as a writer on the eve of World War I, and his first romance with the elusive debutante Ginevra King.

With music and lyrics by Peter Mills, and book by Mills and Cara Reichel, The Underclassman is inspired by Fitzgerald's first novel, This Side of Paradise, which catapulted him to fame and established him as the voice of his generation.

Cara Reichel directs, with choreography by Christine O'Grady, and music direction and orchestrations by Daniel Feyer.

A previous version of The Underclassman was mounted in a workshop production by Prospect in April 2005, under the title of The Pursuit of Persephone, and received Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Score and Orchestrations.

The Underclassman features Jessica Grové as Ginevra King, Piper Goodeve (Anne of Green Gables) as Marie Hersey, and Alex Wyse (Lysistrata Jones) as John Peale Bishop. The ensemble includes Jordan Bondurant, Elizabeth Burton, Jason Edward Cook, Holland Grossman, C.J. Pawlikowski, Davey Rosenberg, and Michael Ruocco. Additional casting will be announced soon.

Jessica Grové's Broadway credits include A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George and Les Miserables. Jessica's Off-Broadway credits include Anne of Green Gables, Peter Mills' Illyria, and the World Premieres of Iron Curtain and The Pursuit of Persephone and most recently the World Premiere of Transport at The Irish Repertory Theatre.

Performances will begin on November 9, 2014 and the initial run will continue through November 23 at The Duke on 42nd Street, located at 229 W. 42nd Street, NYC (www.Dukeon42.org). Tickets for The Underclassman will be on sale beginning September 9.

The project received initial developmental support as part of the New Directors/New Works Program of The Drama League of New York (Roger T. Danforth, Artistic Director, Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director). There was also a developmental student production at the University of Michigan (2006) and a workshop at Princeton University (2011), and the project was recently selected for Goodspeed Musicals Johnny Mercer Writers Colony (2014). The Underclassman is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

For the 14-15 Season, Prospect will continue its annual Membership Program offering valuable discounts and flexible ticketing to meet the needs of core audiences who are passionate about the company's mission to bring to life the next generation of the American musical. Individual Memberships are $50 and offer benefits including savings of more than 60% on Prospect's regular and premium ticket prices, which typically range from $45 to $75. Or, select a Dual Membership for $75 and purchase two member-priced tickets to each show! Memberships are valid for events between September 1, 2014 - August 31, 2015. Members also receive exclusive exchange privileges and invitations to behind-the-scenes events with artists throughout the season. Memberships are now on sale at www.ProspectTheater.org or may be purchased by calling 212-352-3101.

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