American Theatre of Actors Set to Premiere THE QUEEN'S DILEMMA: A NEW MUSICAL

The Queen's Dilemma, book, music, and lyrics by Samuel J. Bernstein, is a play inspired by the Biblical Book of Esther. It will be performed on March 4th (7 p.m.) and March 5th (1 and 4 p.m.) at the American Theatre of Actors (314 West 54th Street) This original musical play blends humor with anguish, tragedy with triumph, while exploring Jewish identity in all its complexities.

Mr. Bernstein's play Olympics Uber Alles ran off-Broadway in 2014.

Directed by Paul Lincoln, the cast includes Brooke Quintana, Mark Singer, Joe Joseph, Jonathan D. Mesisca, Nicole Vande Zande, Rosie Sowa, Nancy Magarill, and Mike Kinzer. Tickets can be reserved by calling the American Theatre of Actors. (212-581-3044)

The American Theatre of Actors was founded in 1976 by James Jennings, who continues as its President and Artistic Director. It is a repertory theatre company consisting of 50 actors, 20 playwrights and 10 directors. Its purpose is to promote the development of new playwrights, directors and actors and provide them a creative atmosphere in which to work without the pressures of commerical theatre. The plays are dramas and comedies dealing with the social and ethical problems of contemporary society. Over 800 new works have been presented and more than 8000 actors have worked at ATA, including Dennis Quaid, Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Dan Lauria, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin O'Connor, Kevin Spacey, William Fichtner and Edie Falco.