The York Theatre Company has announced several pieces of news, including an upcoming developmental reading of According to Howard: A New Musical, the cast and creative team for its world premiere of Welcome to the Big Dipper, and the lineup of performers for its 2024 Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala.
A developmental reading of the new musical According to Howard will be presented October 28 at 2:00 PM at Open Jar Studios. The work features a book by Frank Evans, James Scully, and Jennifer Paulson-Lee, lyrics by Evans and Chad Gorn, and music by Scully.
The cast will include Cassie Austin (A Sign of the Times), Christine DiGianollardo (A Prairie Home Companion), Michael Dikegoros (Tootsie), David Elder (42nd Street), Beth Glover (Grey Gardens), Michelle Beth Herman (Les Misérables), Michael Hurst (The Hours), Mya Ison (Mary Gets Hers), James Judy (Monte Cristo), Gina Milo (Subways Are for Sleeping), Jill Paice (Curtains), William Ryall (Wicked), Ryan Silverman (A Sign of the Times), and Josh Tower (Hamilton). Casting is by Jason Styres of The Casting Collaborative.
According to press notes, According to Howard is an unconventional love story and a reminder that money can never buy (or substitute for) what love can offer. The musical follows Howard Robard Hughes, Jr., who helped shape the world of aviation, film, business, and Hollywood gossip.
Paulson-Lee will direct the reading, with artistic and music supervision by Scott Cady. The assistant director is Michael Dikegoros and Heather Klein is production stage manager.
Admission is free. Email [email protected] to RSVP.
Casting and a creative team has also been revealed for York Theatre Company's upcoming world premiere of Welcome to the Big Dipper. Inspired by Catherine Filloux's play All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go, the new musical comedy features music and lyrics by Jimmy Roberts (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), a book by Filloux and John Daggett, and additional lyrics by Daggett.
Performances begin November 21 at The Theatre at St. Jeans, ahead of a November 26 opening night. The limited engagement will continue through December 29. Click here for tickets.
The cast will feature Maybe Burke (Love Letters to Nobody), Jennifer Byrne (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Christian Magby (Galileo), Jillian Louis (Twist of Fate), Mia Pinero (Sweeney Todd), DeMone Seraphin (Ragtime), Pablo Torres (The Jerusalem Syndrome), Debra M. Walton (Storyville), and Michael Yeshion (Imaginocean). Rounding out the company will be understudies Darius Harper (Kinky Boots), Ella Oleson (Fiddler on the Roof), Jayae Riley, Jr. (Trevor: The Musical), and Erik Schark (Rock of Ages). Casting is by Michael Cassara.
DeMone Seraphin will direct the production. The creative team will also include choreographer Ashley Marinelli, music director Beth Falcone, set and projection designer Brian Pacelli, costume designer Janine Loesch, lighting designer Kristen Paige, sound designer Julian Evans, properties manager Polly Solomon, production stage manager Bernita Robinson, assistant stage managers Caroline Pastore and Carter White, and production manager Noah Glaister. General management is by High Hard Heat's Dominick Balletta.
Finally, the company has announced the lineup of performers for its 32nd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala, Where Musicals Come to Life. Held November 11 at The Edison Ballroom, the event will honor Bernadette Peters with the 2024 Oscar Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater and producer Ted Snowdon with The York Theatre Company Founders’ Award.
Michael Urie, who currently stars in the Broadway revival of Once Upon a Mattress, will serve as host for the evening. Alex Newell (Shucked), Andrew Rannells (The Book of Mormon), Jelani Remy (Back to the Future), and more artists will make special guest appearances. Stephen DeAngelis will direct.
Visit YorkTheatre.org for gala tickets or more information.
