Alexa Green, Erin Leigh Peck, and Noah Galvin Star in SPEARGROVE PRESENTS, 5/14 - 5/16

New musical SPEARGROVE PRESENTS inspired by halted productions of RENT.

New York Theatre Barn will present a developmental production of the new musical SPEARGROVE PRESENTS May 14-16, 2012 at The Cell in Chelsea, NYC. The musical is the company's first commission and has book/lyrics by Sammy Buck (Like You Like It, Stinky Kids, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus) and music/lyrics by Brandon James Gwinn (Matchmaker, Matchmaker – I'm Ready to Settle). The presentation is made possible in part by the National Alliance for Musical Theater's Writers' ResidenCy Grant.

The musical, which the company has been developing for the past two years, is about two families in the North Texas town of Speargrove who struggle with a community battle ignited by a high school production of Rent. SPEARGROVE PRESENTS is loosely based on events that happened in Rowlett, Texas in 2008. It also draws upon numerous related accounts that occurred throughout the country over the past four years.

Artistic Director Joe Barros and Associate Artistic Director Laura Brandel direct, with musical direction by Jason Wetzel. The cast includes Kristen da Costa, Scott Denny, Noah Galvin (The Burnt Part Boys), Alexa Green (Wicked), Jessica Kent, Carolyn Mignini (Tintypes, I Married Wyatt Earp), Ariela Morgenstern (I Married Wyatt Earp), Jake Odmark (Signature DC's Really Really), Charlie Owens (Gallery Players' A Man of No Importance), Leigh Peck (The Toxic Avenger), Michael Pesce, Babs Rubenstein, Anthony Romeo (Seussical), and Shorey Walker (Seussical). The Production Stage Manager is Caitlin Lyons (The Legend of Julie Taymor, The Awesome 80's Prom, The Ride). The Casting Director and Line Producer is Jason Najjoum.

SPEARGROVE PRESENTS will be presented at The Cell on Monday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 15 at 2pm, and Wednesday, May 16 at 7pm. The Cell is located at 338 West 23rd Street in Chelsea, NY. To request a reservation, send an email to info@nytheatrebarn.org. Tickets are $10, and cash and credit cards will be accepted at the door. For more information and to learn more about New York Theatre Barn, visit: www.NYTheatreBarn.org.

New York Theatre Barn is a non-profit theatre company founded in 2007 and dedicated to the investigation, development, and advancement of new works. The company is attracted to new work that mirrors our society so that the world can better understand itself. Productions include the all-female musical I Married Wyatt Earp (59E59 Theatres/Prospect Theater Co.) with Heather Mac Rae and Carolyn Mignini, the musical Wood (New York Musical Theatre Festival/Emily Miller) with Cady Huffman, and Bridget Bailey's award winning solo play Child of Hungry Times. New York Theatre Barn has been instrumental in the development of Adam Gwon's Ordinary Days, the musical parody Hey, You Know What Movie Would Make A Good Musical?, Cait Doyle's Hot Mess in Manhattan, and Katie Thompson's R.R.R.E.D. The company's monthly platform for new work, NYTB in the D-Lounge, provides a community and a home for artists to discover and grow within their art form. New York Theatre Barn is a proud member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.