Photo Flash: I'LL BE DAMNED at The Vineyard

Performances begin July 1st for I'LL BE DAMNED, a new musical by Rob Broadhurst and Brent Black, for a limited engagement through July 18th at the Dimson Theatre at The Vineyard, 108 East 15th Street (between Union Square East & Irving Place). I'LL BE DAMNED is directed by April Nickell, with choreography by Luis Salgado and musical direction by Jason Sherbundy.

Mary Testa and Kenita Miller head the cast of I'LL BE DAMNED. Also featured in the company are Kurt Robbins, Jacob Hoffman, Gregory Treco, Emily Borromeo, Nick Gelona, Alison Luff, Anthony Martinez, Tiffany Topol, Daryl Ray Carliles, Stephanie Martinez, and Valerie Salgado.

I'LL BE DAMNED is the story of a friendless, comic book-loving homeschooler named Louis who receives a seemingly irresistible offer from Satan. Louis' mother is a little late in coming to terms with her son growing up, God seems lost in his vision of a perfect world, and Louis is discovering himself as he attempts to find just one true friend. This fresh new musical comedy asks the universal question: Is there a way to make people like you without having to sell your soul to the devil?

Mary Testa has appeared on Broadway in 42nd Street (Tony nomination), ...Forum, Xanadu, The Rink, Guys and Dolls, On the Town (Tony nomination), Barnum, Marie Christine, Marilyn, and Chicago. Kenita Miller appeared in the original Broadway companies of The Color Purple and Xanadu, and Off-Broadway in Langston in Harlem (2010 Drama Desk nomination) and Dessa Rose.

The book for I'LL BE DAMNED is by Rob Broadhurst and Brent Black, with music by Mr. Broadhurst and lyrics by Mr. Black. They are recent graduates of NYU, where they created the musical at the Tisch Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.

Director April Nickell helmed Jaradoa Theater's acclaimed productions of Serenade by Rachel Sheinkin and Nils Olaf Dolven, The Small of Her Back and Anika Larsen's Shafrika, The White Girl. Choreographer Luis Salgado is in the cast of Broadway's In the Heights, where he also serves as assistant to the choreographer. Luis also assisted the choreographers on the films Enchanted and Step Up 2 the Streets, and he choreographed the Off-Broadway productions of Shafrika, The White Girl and Serenade (HOLA Award).

Scenic design for I'LL BE DAMNED is by Sean Tribble, with costume design by Andrea Varga, lighting design by Herrick Goldman, and sound design by Kyle Irwin.

JARADOA (Just A Roomful of Artists Doing Outreach And) THEATER is proudly kicking off its fourth season with I'LL BE DAMNED. Jaradoa is a member-based group of theater artists - actors, directors, writers, and designers - who have come together to promote mercy, beauty and truth through performance and service. Play On!, Jaradoa's innovative acting and playwriting program that uses theater to improve literacy skills, has been run in public schools, community centers, an alternative-to-incarceration program for teenage felons, and a shelter for runaway and homeless teens.

The playing schedule for the limited engagement of I'LL BE DAMNED will be Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2 & 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $18 and are available through www.SmartTix.com (212) 868-4444. For more information, visit www.JaradoaTheater.org.

Photo: Carol Rosegg

Jacob Hoffman and Mary Testa

Mary Testa and Jacob Hoffman