Invitation-only industry readings of the new musical Watcher in the Woods—based on Florence Engel Randall's 1976 novel—will be presented April 25 at noon and 3 PM at Urban Stages.
Directed by Saki Kawamura with music direction by Brian Walters, the cast will feature Elise F. Daniells as Saundra, Allyson Hernandez as Kate, Julie James as Mrs. Thayer, Colin Kane as Mark/Marcus, Charlotte MacLeod as Ellie, Jade McLeod as Jan/Karen, Kenita R. Miller as Mrs. Fleming, Julia Murney as Mrs. Aylwood, and Kelli Ruttle reading stage directions.
With music by Johanna Telander and a book and lyrics by Douglas Thompson, Watcher in the Woods is set in summer 1976 as Jan, still haunted by the traumatic loss of her father, moves into an old house in the woods with her mom and little sister. Forces she cannot see, and feelings that are not hers, compel Jan to unlock the 50-year-old mystery of a young girl's disappearance in the woods.
A staged production of Watcher in the Woods is scheduled for the fall. Dates, theatre, and casting will be announced at a later date.
The novel was previously adapted into a 1980 Walt Disney Studios film starring Bette Davis, David McCallum, and Kyle Richards as well as a 2017 Lifetime remake starring Anjelica Huston.
