York Theatre to Present Off-Broadway Premiere of MARRY HARRY

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Interim Executive Director; David McCoy, Chairman of the Board), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the preservation of musical gems from the past, announces the Off-Broadway premiere of the new musical Marry Harry, with book by Jennifer Robbins (Hudson River Blues) and music and lyrics by Dan Martin and Michael Biello (In My Body, The Cousins Grimm). Directed and choreographed by York favorite Bill Castellino (Cagney, Storyville), performances are set to begin Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening night is set for Thursday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Marry Harry will replace the previously announced musical Emma, which will move to the 2017-2018 season. Casting and the rest of the creative team will be announced shortly.

The York Theatre Company continues its 2016-2017 season with the New York premiere of the new musicalMarry Harry, a romantic comedy set in New York's East Village, about two adults on the verge of thirty who need help in cutting the parental ties that hold a little too tightly. Marry Harry explores ideas about family loyalty, marriage, love, food, and finding one's path in life-with humor, heart and just the right amount of spice. Marry Harry, which has a book by Jennifer Robbins, music by Dan Martin, and lyrics by Michael Biello, will be directed and choreographed by Bill Castellino (Cagney, Storyville). Broadway.com had this to share: "exceptional...must-see musical theater at its very best!" The Examiner called it "a heart-felt love letter to musical comedy."

In July 2011, Marry Harry was part of the New York Stage & Film/Powerhouse Theatre reading series at Vassar. In April 2012, Amas Musical Theatre held a 3-week workshop culminating in four performances. In July 2013, Marry Harry received a full production as part of the New York Musical Theater Festival. In spring 2014, American Theatre Group in Rahway, New Jersey presented Marry Harry as part of their 2013-2014 season. The York Theatre Company has been a major supporter in the development of this show over the past few years.

Marry Harry will play the following performance schedule: Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., Thursdays at 2:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.* & 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. (*Audience discussion follow the matinee performance.)

Tickets for Marry Harry are priced at $67.50 - $72.50 and may be purchased by calling (212) 935-5820, online at www.yorktheatre.org, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Tuesday through Friday (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.). York Theatre Members receive priority booking and save almost 35% on matinee performances and 30% for regular performances. Student and Senior Rush tickets are available in-person beginning one hour prior to performances for $20 cash only. The York Theatre also offers $25 tickets for guests aged 35 years and under.

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, 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, please visit www.yorktheatre.org

The York Theatre Company is the only theatre 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, currently playing to sold-out houses at the Westside Theatre starring Robert Creighton as James Cagney and the original York Cast.

Jennifer Robbins (Book) is a theatre producer with over twenty-five Broadway and Off-Broadway credits. This is her first venture as bookwriter of a musical. She co-wrote and produced the film Hudson River Blues. She is a member of the Broadway League and is on the Board of Directors of New York Stage & Film.

Michael Biello (Lyrics) and Dan Martin (Music) are award-winning songwriters, life-partners, and longtime collaborators. In addition to Marry Harry, Biello and Martin are developing In My Body, a concept musical about body image. Other musicals include The Cousins Grimm with book by Ted Sod (produced in Chicago in 2008 following a staged reading at NYMF and a workshop at the O'Neill and recipient of an Anna Sosenko Trust Award) and Breathe (produced in Chicago, where it won a 1999 After Dark Award, and in many other US cities). Their songs have been performed from PS 122 to Lincoln Center by a wide range of vocalists including Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba, Bessie Award winner Tom Bogdan, and disco diva Karen "Hot Shot" Young. Film/Video projects include The Dance (in the Permanent Collection of MoMA), Clones in Love (Best Short, San Francisco LGBT Video Festival), and the anthem for the First Comes Love Project. Members of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and the Dramatists Guild. www.biellomartin.com and www.facebook.com/biellomartinstudio

Bill Castellino (Director/Choreographer) has directed world premieres of Cagney (currently at the Westside Theatre), Soulmates, The Great Divorce, Grumpy Old Men, Jolson at the Winter Garden, Dr. Radio, Lizzie Borden, Heartbeats, Miklat, Fishwrap, A House Divided, The Singing Weatherman, Happy Holidays, Presidents, How to Be an American!, Crash Club, Another Summer, Breathe, and others. Also: Storyville, Ionescopade, Tarzan, Rent, Nightclub Cantata, Fame, Jolson, Chess, Gypsy, Carousel, Drood, Godspell, La Cage aux Folles, The Music Man, West Side Story, Joseph..., Tommy, Little Shop of Horrors, Beehive, Evita, Oliver, Cabaret, Abyssinia, The Last Five Years, The Spitfire Grill, Smokey Joe's Café, Hair, and others. He has won Jeff, Telly, LA Weekly, and Drama-Logue awards and been nominated for the Lortel, the Carbonell, and others.