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Joan Ross Sorkin

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BIO

JOAN ROSS SORKIN is a playwright, musical theatre bookwriter and lyricist, opera librettist, and screenwriter. Her two most current musical projects are Black Swan Blues with Randy Klein, and Bordello with Barbara Bellman and Emiliano Messiez. Black Swan Blues had a staged reading in October, 2022 as part of The York Theatre Company’s Developmental Reading Series, and Bordello is scheduled to have the same in December, 2023.



Joan’s family musicals include Dandelion, with Mary Liz McNamara, with its world premiere at Playhouse on Park, W. Hartford, CT in April, 2023, and the award-winning Isabelle and The Pretty Ugly Spell with Steven Fisher with productions at The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Coral Gables, FL (Winner, National Children’s Theatre Award), NYMF (Outstanding New Family Musical), and Vital Theatre; and Go Green! Prince Charming’s Quest for Love and Ecology in NYC with Mary Feinsinger, presented in the very first New York Children’s Theater Festival, and Second Place Winner, Jackie White Memorial National Children’s Play Writing Award. Her full-length musicals include The Real McCoy with David Loud, produced by CAP21 (Conservatory Production and Blackjacks Festival); Imagining Monet with Carmel Owen, and In The Theatre with Fisher. Joan has been recognized as an emerging lyricist in The York Theatre’s NEO program. She has also written several stand-alone cabaret songs that have been performed in venues in NYC, and most recently, on-line during the pandemic.



Her opera credits include Strange Fruit with Chandler Carter, developed by New York City Opera and Golden Fleece Composers’ Chamber Theatre and commissioned and premiered by Long Leaf Opera, and again supported by New York City Opera in a concert version in association with The Harlem School of the Arts; White Witch with Brian Schober, premiered at Symphony Space in NYC, in concert at Roulette in Brooklyn, NY, and produced by Salem State University; and The Reef with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis, developed in libretto readings by The Center for Contemporary Opera, a finalist for the Domenic J. Pellicciotti Opera Composition Prize, and to be workshopped by Berkshire Opera Festival in April, 2024. She has two new operas in development: Paradise Bound with Steve Wallace and Jubilee with Klein.



Joan began her career as a playwright and is most proud of her one-woman play with music, (mis)Understanding Mammy: The Hattie McDaniel Story, produced by Emerging Artists Theatre for which Capathia Jenkins garnered a Drama Desk nomination and later a Black Theatre Alliance nomination at the Chicago Humanities Festival for her portrayal of Hattie McDaniel. The play was also produced by The Jefferson Playhouse, Jefferson, TX, and most recently by The Schoolhouse Theater, Croton Falls, NY. Joan has had many short plays produced in NYC and regionally, and several of her full-length plays have had productions, workshops and readings in various venues in NYC and regionally. Joan has recently written a four-part COVID play, This Is Serious, adaptable for digital streaming. The play dramatizes the stress on family relationships throughout the pandemic.



Her screenplays include Spectator Bird, based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Wallace Stegner, and an original screenplay, Guilty.



Joan has been the long-time President of the Board of The York Theatre Company and a member of The Dramatists Guild (and DG Opera Committee), The BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, ASCAP, The League of Professional Theatre Women, and New Victory Theater’s LabWorks Project.

Photos

News


Jim Kierstead Named President Of The York Theatre Company Board Of Directors

Jim Kierstead has been named as the new President of The York Theatre Company Board of Directors, bringing his extensive experience in theater production to the organization. Learn more about Kierstead and about the position.
Photos: TWIST OF FATE Opens at The York Theatre Company

The York Theatre Company officially opened Twist of Fate, the second production of its Fall 2024 “New2NY” series. Check out photos from the opening here!
Developmental Readings of BORDELLO THE MUSICAL Set For This Week

 The York Theatre Company will present developmental readings of Bordello, The Musical, with book by Barbara Bellman and Joan Ross Sorkin, music by Emiliano Messiez, lyrics by Barbara Bellman, music direction by Steven Gross and directed by Will Pomerantz.
BORDELLO, THE MUSICAL To Have York Theatre Company Developmental Readings

Bordello, The Musical is set to have developmental readings at York Theatre Company on February 29 and March 1.
Berkshire Opera Festival Announces 2024 Season: FAUST And Anthony Davis's THE REEF

Berkshire Opera Festival has announced its 2024 season in Great Barrington, MA and New York City.
Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE JERUSALEM SYNDROME at The York Theatre

The York Theatre Company opened the World Premiere of The Jerusalem Syndrome, a cRaZy new musical with book & lyrics by Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman and music by Kyle Rosen. Check out photos from opening night here!
Photos: The York Theatre Company Gala Honors Patti LuPone and Jamie DeRoy

All new photos have been released from Monday evening’s YORK THEATRE COMPANY Gala. Patti LuPone received the 31st Oscar Hammerstein Award For Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater and Jamie DeRoy was honored with The York Theatre Founders’ Award.
Photos: Inside Opening Night of WHEN WE GET THERE at York Theatre Company

The York Theatre Company officially opened its New2NY presentation of When We Get There. Check out photos from opening night here!
Photos: GOLDEN RAINBOW Opens at The York Theatre

See photos of the opening of Golden Rainbow at The York Theatre!
The Latiné Musical Theatre Lab Hosts The Second Annual Fall Benefit Concert Featuring Broadway's Top Latiné Talent

The Latiné Musical Theatre Lab, LLC has announced its highly anticipated Second Annual Fall Benefit Concert to celebrate Latiné voices in musical theatre. Learn more about the event and find out how to attend here!
Photos: Inside Opening Night of Musicals in Mufti's THE LIEUTENANT

The York Theatre Company has opened its production of The Lieutenant, with book, music and lyrics by Chuck Strand, Eugene Curty, and Nitra McAuliffe. Check out photos from opening night here!
Photos: HOW TO STEAL AN ELECTION Opens the Musicals in Mufti Series at The York Theatre

How to Steal an Election: A Dirty Politics Musical, with music and lyrics by Oscar Brand and book by William F. Brown, began performances on Saturday, August 26, 2023. The production will continue for 11 performances only through Sunday, September 3, 2023. Opening Night was held on Sunday evening, August 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Check out opening night photos here!
Tina Fabrique To Star In (MIS)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story At The Schoolhouse Theater

The Schoolhouse Theater will present the Westchester Premier of Joan Ross Sorkin's (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story, directed by multi award-winning director Seret Scott.
Tina Fabrique To Star In (MIS)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story At The Schoolhouse Theater

The Schoolhouse Theater will present the Westchester Premier of Joan Ross Sorkin's (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story, directed by multi award-winning director Seret Scott.
Playhouse on Park to Host DANDELION DAY Event in Conjunction with World Premiere of DANDELION

Visit Playhouse on Park on Saturday, April 29th, 2023 for DANDELION DAY and celebrate the World Premiere of the children's musical DANDELION. Activities will include face painting, popcorn, snacks, giveaways, “make a wish” station, arts and crafts, and a post-show meet and greet with the cast.
Playhouse on Park to Present World Premiere of DANDELION Beginning in April

DANDELION, adapted from the children's book by Don Freeman, will run from April 25 - May 14th at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, CT. This production is part of Playhouse on Park's Theatre for Young Audience Series, and is recommended for Grades Pre-K - 3.
Photos: The York Theatre Celebrates the 30th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala

The gala honored musical theater legend Leslie Uggams  with the 2022 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater, which will be presented by Dionne Warwick. Ted Chapin was also honored with The York Theatre Company Founders' Award, presented by his daughters Anika and Zoë Chapin. Check out photos here!
Shoshana Bean, Lilli Cooper, Jared Grimes & Christine Pedi Join Lineup for 30th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala

Shoshana Bean, Lilli Cooper, Jared Grimes and Christine Pedi have joined the roster of performers for a concert celebration at the 30th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala, which will honor musical theater legend Leslie Uggams with the 2022 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater, which will be presented by Dionne Warwick. 
Broadway Inspirational Voices, Dionne Warwick & More to Join 2022 Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala

The York Theatre Company has announced the roster of performers for a concert celebration at the 30th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala, which will take place on Monday evening, November 14, 2022 at The Edison Rooftop.
Photos: The Cast of CHEEK TO CHEEK Celebrates Opening Night

The York Theatre Company, in association with Riki Kane Larimer, presents an encore limited return engagement of the hit Off-Broadway musical Cheek to Cheek: Irving Berlin in Hollywood, a song and dance celebration featuring the music and lyrics of the legendary Irving Berlin which premiered last Fall. Go inside opening night in the photos here!

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