Klea Blackhurst Leads New Musical REAL ACTORS OF NYC, Opening Tonight Off-Broadway

THE REAL ACTORS OF NYC, an original musical with book, lyrics and music by Karlan Judd about an infuriated trio of musical theatre actors determined make it on Broadway by any means, is set for an open-ended run in the Anne L. Bernstein Theater at The Theater Center (50th and Broadway). The production, directed by Max Friedman began previews on Saturday, September 24th and will have its official opening tonight, October 13, 2016.

Mumz has a 30 year old grudge that needs to be settled. When a Young Marge casts her friend in a splashy Broadway Musical, instead of the talented Young Mumzy Taylor, its sets in motion a lifetime of disappointment and shattered dreams for Mumz. She loses her mind and creates her own reality. Now she has the chance to get back at the one person who screwed her over and ruined her life! Watch out: it's going to be a bumpy ride and digits (fingers) will be lost in the process!

THE REAL ACTORS OF NYC is a scathing indictment of the musical theatre industry, done with nothing but love. Favoritism over talent? Star power over talent? Personal ambition over fair treatment? Absolutely, they are real in this business - and these actors have had enough! They'll make it on Broadway by any means.

***WARNING: AUDIENCES MAY ENCOUNTER HIGH LEVELS OF SHADE***
Urban Dictionary defines "Shade" as: acting in a casual or disrespectful manner towards someone/dissing a friend, throwing shade, acting kinda shady.

The cast of THE REAL ACTORS OF NYC features KLea Blackhurst, Noah Zachary, Jennifer Jean Anderson, Nicholas Barnes, RJ Vaillancourt, Lorinda Lisitza and Jake Mckenna. Stage Manager is E. Sara Barnes and Assistant Stage Manager is Sawyer Stone.

THE REAL ACTORS OF NYC had its first reading, under the title Frienemies, at the West End Lounge in October of 2012. It starred Annie Golden, Jennifer Jean Anderson, Nicholas Barnes, Jacob McKenna, Matthew Tweady-Torres, and Thomas Dolan. In March 2016, under its new title, the show had a reading as part of the Emerging Artist Theatre's New Works Festival. It starred Susan Mosher, Catherine Russell, Robb Sapp, Jennifer Jean Anderson, Nicholas Barnes, Jacob McKenna, and Michael Millan.

Karlan Judd (book, music, and lyrics) is a musical theatre writer/composer originally from Phoenix, Arizona, currently living in New York City. His musical Cheer Wars (co-written with Gordon Leary) won the 2009 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre and has had several readings and workshop productions. His current project is The Real Actors of NYC, a satirical musical about the struggling class of musical theatre actors. Other musicals include: Marnie's Musical (with Gena Oppenheim), Hunger, still lifes from the Donner Party Expedition (Selection at 2009 Chicago Stages! Festival), Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington, Lemonade and The Case of the B-Team Cheerleader. His work has been performed in NYC at The Henry Longacre Theatre, The Peter Norton Space, Joe's Pub, Symphony Space, The Triad Theatre, The York Theatre and The D Lounge. He has completed residencies at Goodspeed Musicals, CAP 21 and the Berkshire Playwrights Lab. His choral music is published by Yelton-Rhodes Music (www.yrmusic.com).

Max Friedman (Director) is a director of theatre, concerts, and cabaret. He most recently directed MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET as part of NYMF 2016. Other NYC credits include Charlie Rosen'S BROADWAY BIG BAND (2016 MAC Award Nomination, Show of the Year), RUBY MANGER LIVE! THE FAREWELL ENGAGEMENT by Julia Mattison & Noel Carey, THE WORST PEOPLE YOU KNOW by Natalie Tenenbaum & Kevin Waznor (54 Below), THE BLUEST INK (Sondheim Jazz Revue, le poisson rouge), and 6 by Zack Zadek (NYMF 2012). Regional credits include MURDER BALLAD (NJ Premiere) and THE LONGING AND THE SHORT OF IT by Daniel Mate (5 Carbonell Award Nominations, including Best Director). As an Assistant Director, projects include JASPER IN DEADLAND (Prospect Theater Company, dir. Brandon Ivie), THE OTHER Josh Cohen (Soho Playhouse, dir. Ted Sperling), UNCOOL THE PARTY, 35MM, and many projects with Joe Iconis and Family including THINGS TO RUIN, BLOODSONG OF LOVE, and THE ANNUAL Joe Iconis CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR (dir. John Simpkins). Friedman is currently in residence as the Associate Director of Programming of the legendary cabaret institution Don't Tell Mama where he has helmed over a dozen original cabaret acts and a series of developmental presentations of new musicals including MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET by Mark Sonnenblick & Sam Bolen, SONGS FOR SLUTTY GIRLS by Kailey Marshall & Nessie Nankivell and THE SHOWMEN by Noel Carey & Ryan McGovern. www.maxfriedmandirector.com Instagram/Twitter: @maxbfriedman

The creative and design team include: Music Director: Luke McGinnis; Choreographer: Rachel Goldman; Set Supervisor: Jim Morgan (York Theatre), Costume Designer: Michael McDonald (Tony-nominated costume designer for HAIR, Lighting Designer: Jamie Roderick (The Bikinis!: A New Musical Beach Party); Production Manager: KJ Morton.

Performances of THE REAL ACTORS OF NYC are on Thursdays at 8PM and Saturdays at 4:45PM and 10:30PM. Tickets are $62 and available online at www.therealactorsofnyc.com or you may call the box office directly at 212.921.7862.

THE REAL ACTORS OF NYC is presented by Musicals, Duh!

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