York Theatre Company to Continue Reading Series with MOONSHINE AND MISTLETOE

The York Theatre Company and its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series, will present a staged reading of the new musical, Moonshine and Mistletoe, with concept, book and direction by DJ Salisbury, additional songs by David Lutken and Mr. Salisbury, and concept and arrangements by Larry Moore for one performance only on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The cast of actor-musicians will feature Mimi Bessette, Joe Carroll, Ivy Cordle, Caleb Damschroder, Julie Foldesi, Annabelle Fox, Elizabeth Ward Land, Janice Landry, David Lutken, Steve McIntyre, Tim Quartier,Douglas Waterbury-Tieman, and Colin Wheeler. Music Direction is by Brent Frederick.

Moonshine and Mistletoe tells the story of the Ballards, Lessy Boy and Curleen, who welcome family and friends into their Kentucky mountain home to celebrate Christmas Day. In the midst of the Great Depression, they have no gifts to exchange, but instead, they happily share their love of Appalachian music. Unexpectedly, the Ballards' son-who'd left the fold to escape a certain fate in the coal mines-returns to make amends with his parents. With him is his very young, very-soon-to-be-a-mother wife. Though Curleen seems incapable of finding peaceful reconciliation with her son, a Christmas miracle opens up a new possibility of forgiveness.

The reading is open to the public with a $10.00 advance reservation fee for each reading (Complimentary for York Theatre's Platinum Members; $5 for York Theatre's 54th Street Members). Reservations can also be made on the day of the reading (pending availability) for a suggested $5.00 donation in person at the box office.

The Developmental Reading Series presents some 40 to 50 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors throughout the year, a vital part of the writing process. The strong commitment to developing new work is an important part of what makes The York unique in the musical theatre community. The series serves as an incubator for shows to be considered for Mainstage productions, thus serving the York's unique mission of taking new musicals through the complete development process to full production.

York Theatre Company offers the York! Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $75.00 - with elite benefits that includes a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions (2 per membership), exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member-only receptions. The York also offers a York Plus! Membership Program with additional perks, including complimentary tickets to Mainstage productions and invites to several VIP-only presentations throughout the season.

York Memberships can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by visiting the York Theatre Company Box Office (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), or by calling the Box Office at (212) 935-5820 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.). For additional information, visit www.yorktheatre.org.

The York Theatre Company 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 neglected, notable shows from the past. For over four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and 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 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. Over 35 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, including its acclaimed revival of Closer Than Ever (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival); commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and Jolson & Company, and revivals of Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. Recent hits have included Rothschild and Sons, Plaid Tidings and Cagney, starring Robert Creighton as James Cagney and the original York Cast, currently playing to sold-out houses at the Westside Theatre.