Photo Flash: York Theatre Co Presents 'Grind' Concert

The York Theatre Company's (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) presents a concert revival of GRIND, the latest show in its Musicals in Mufti Series—the York's acclaimed program of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances. 'Mufti' (pronounced MUFF' tee) means "in street clothes; without the usual trappings."  With music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, book by Fay Kanin and a new book by Brad Rouse, Grind plays five performances only on June 13-June 15.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.yorktheatre.org, or call the York box office at 212-935-5820.  The box office is open Monday to Friday, 12-6pm, and Saturday/Sunday 1-6 pm.
 
The cast features: Bob Ari (Die Mommie Die!) as Harry, Joe Cassidy (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as Doyle, Nikki Renee Daniels (Les Miserables) as Satin, Brandon Victor Dixon (The Color Purple) as Leroy, Wendy Fox (Rent, National Tour) as Loretta, Chasten Harmon (Iphigenia 2.0) as Clementine, Linda Hart (The Great American Trailer Park Musical) as Romaine, Larry Keith (Caroline, or Change) as Gus, Max Quinlan (New Voices) as a Juggler, Michele Ragusa (Kiss Me Kate, Paper Mill) as Lizzie, Christopher Sergeeff (Boys from Syracuse, Centerstage) as Juggler, Kelly Sullivan (Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein) and Jasmin Walker (Avenue Q) as Ruby.  Steven Marzullo is music director, and Annette Jolles directs.

Grind is the story of a seedy 1930s Chicago burlesque house that draws Depression-era customers with a daring mix of white and African American performers. When a backstage romance crosses racial lines and women refuse to be sexually exploited, the show must go on—or will it?  This production includes a new libretto and songs not previously heard in NYC. The original Broadway production opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1985 under the direction of Harold Prince.

The York is the only theater in New York City—and one of very few in the world—dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals, and preserving shows from the past.  For more than three decades, the York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and rarely seen classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike.  Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its mainstage series—most of them world, American or New York premieres—by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Nearly 30 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD. Commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. York's Musicals in Mufti Series, which offers rarely seen works from the past, has produced more titles than any other musical theatre concert series, and is the only series that has presented works from on Broadway and Off-, as well as from London's West End. The Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q made its first appearance as part of York's Developmental Reading Series, which presents over 40 free readings of new musicals every year.

For ticket information visit www.yorktheatre.org or call 212-935-5820. THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY in Saint Peter's Theatre
Saint Peter's Church, Southeast corner of Lexington Avenue at 54th Street.

Music Director Steven Marzullo, Chairman of the Board David McCoy, Director Annette Jolles

Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman

Brandon Victor Dixon and Nikki Renée Daniels

Joe Cassidy, Annette Jolles and Bob Ari

Linda Hart and Celeste Holm

Max Quinlan and Casting Director Geoff Josselson

Joe Cassidy, Composer Larry Grossman, and Bob Ari

Photos from The York.