Brightman, Manolakos, and Lisitza to Sing Songs by Riley Thomas and Mike Pettry 5/30

On Monday, May 30, 2011, New York Theatre Barn will present its monthly platform, now in its 4th year, for emerging musical theatre writers at the D-Lounge (at the Daryl Roth Theater). Featured writers for the May 2011 installment include Riley Thomas and Jonathan Larson Award winner Mike Pettry (The Time Traveler's Convention). Performers for the evening include Alex Brightman (Wicked), Carrie Manolakos (Mama Mia, Things to Ruin), Lorinda Lisitza (Triumphant Baby, ReWrite), Lauren Marcus (ReWrite), Jeremy Morse (Bloodsong of Love), Jason "Sweettooth" Williams (Bloodsong of Love, Things To Ruin), Jenny Donoghue, Raelyn Hennessee, Jared Miller, Anthea Neri, Riley Thomas, and Miranda Whaley. Executive Producers for NYTB in the D-Lounge are Laura Brandel and Karen Marshall.

The first set of the evening, Snapshots: The Songs of Mike Pettry, will feature music and lyrics by Mike Pettry. 2007 Jonathan Larson Award winning composer/lyricist Mike Pettry (The Time Travelers
Convention, The Light Princess) takes his songs to the D-Lounge for an evening of material from his song cycle SNAP. Topics covered will include heartbreak, Republicans, porn stars, setting trailers ablaze, and unhealthy attractions to Harry Potter wannabes. With a cast of all-star performers singing a set of unforgettable songs, Snapshots will be a show you don't want to miss. Featured in the set are Jenny Donoghue, Lorinda Lisitza (Triumphant Baby, ReWrite), Carrie Manolakos (Mamma Mia, Things To Ruin), Lauren Marcus (ReWrite), Jeremy Morse (Bloodsong of Love), and Jason "SweetTooth" Williams (Bloodsong of Love, Things To Ruin). Direction is by Laura Brandel.

The second set, Delusions And Daydreams, feature music and lyrics by Riley Thomas. Coming at the idea of love from an unusual direction, Delusions And Daydreams compiles pieces from larger works as well as stand-alones to weave an interesting examination of the thin line between what we want and what we tell ourselves. From the loved to the lover, the dumped to the dumper, Riley Thomas uses his unique blend of contemporary musical theater and pop/rock/jazz to explore different points of view. Featured in the set are Alex Brightman (Wicked), Raelyn Hennessee, Jared Miller, Anthea Neri, Riley Thomas, & Miranda Whaley - with special guests Tiffan Borelli and Jamie Westberry. The set will have accompaniment by Joshua Stepehn Kartes.

The May 2011 installment of NYTB in the D-Lounge will take place on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 7:30pm at the D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theater (101 East 15th Street at Union Square East). There is a $10 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. For more information on NYTB, visit: www.NYTheatreBarn.org

NYTB in the D-Lounge takes place on the last Monday of every month and is a platform for emerging musical theatre writers. The series fuses two contrasting writers (or writing teams) to create an eclectic evening of music and theatre. The evening is not only a celebration of new work, as we wish to further engage our audience by encouraging networking between the artists involved and those who attend the event. NYTB occasionally includes material in development between sets. The social event is casual and fun, however expectations and ambitions are high. It is New York Theatre Barn's continued mission to serve emerging artists and new work.

Under the direction of Joe Barros (Producing Artistic Director), New York Theatre Barn is a non-profit theatre company founded in 2007 and is dedicated to the investigation, development, and advancement of new works. Productions include the all-female musical I Married Wyatt Earp (currently playing at 59E59 Theaters/Prospect Theater Co., www.imarriedwyattearp.com) 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 Ordinary Days, I Married Wyatt Earp, the musical parody Hey, You Know What Movie Would Make A Good Musical?, Hot Mess in Manhattan, R.R.R.E.D., and Welcome to My Life. NYTB is currently developing Speargrove Presents, a new musical conceived by the company and based on true events about a conservative Texas high school's planned production of the musical Rent. New York Theatre Barn is a proud member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.

 

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes