Ytc’s Developmental Lab Presents “Lord Tom” a New Musical Featuring Tony Nominee Phillip Boykin
Contact:
Rick Miramontez / Philip Carrubba
rick@oandmco.com / philip@oandmco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY'S
DEVELOPMENTAL LAB SERIES
PRESENTS
“L O R D T O M”
BOOK BY KIMBERLY VAUGHN AND STANLEY JAY GELBER
MUSIC & LYRICS BY STANLEY JAY GELBER
DIRECTED BY JOHN TARTAGLIA
CHOREOGRAPHY BY SHANNON LEWIS
MUSIC DIRECTION BY JOSHUA STEPHEN KARTES
FEATURING TONY AWARD NOMINEE PHILLIP BOYKIN
FIVE-PERFORMANCES ONLY, APRIL 13 – 17, 2015
AT THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY AT SAINT PETER’S
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
New York, NY – (March 23, 2015) – The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) and its acclaimed Developmental Lab Series presents the musical, LORD TOM, with book by Kimberly Vaughn and Stanley Jay Gelber, and music & lyrics are by Mr. Gelber at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).
There are five performances only: Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, April 16 at 2:30 p.m. and Friday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. All performances are open to the public.
Directed by Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia, and with choreography by Shannon Lewis and music direction Joshua Stephen Kartes, the cast will feature Tony Award nominee Phillip Boykin in the title role, Jelani Alladin, Nat Chandler, Carrie Compere, Maria Couch, Glory Crampton, Alan H. Green, Leah Hocking, Kevin Leak, Jr., Caitlyn McLaughlin, Kenita Miller, Amma Osei, Jim Poulos, Isaiah Register, Elizabeth Teeter, Gordon Weiss, and Michael Winther.
The creative team will include James Morgan (set), Brian Nason (lights), Alden Fulcomer (sound), Nathan Scheuer (projections), and Kimothy Cruse (production stage manager).
A beacon of hope, a thunder of truth, a rainbow of love…LORD TOM is a new American musical inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s seminal anti-slavery narrative, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, with book by Kimberly Vaughn and Stanley Jay Gelber, and music & lyrics by Mr. Gelber. The story follows the fortunes of two slaves Eliza and Tom journeying north and south, respectively, one in shadows, the other in shackles. When first published, Ms. Stowe’s book was outsold only by the bible. And now, in this 21st Century offering, directed by John Tartaglia, it continues to herald the call for universal justice, global freedom, and unity of spirit in a colorblind world. The electrifying Phillip Boykin, Tony Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner for his portrayal of Crown in Porgy & Bess, stars as Tom and leads a cast of 17 Broadway actors with a compelling script and score of twenty-six original songs ranging in musical styles from spiritual, blues, gospel, jazz, ragtime, to contemporary ballad, anthem, lullaby, and upbeat comedic swing. LORD TOM takes the audience on a journey in which faith and freedom prevail in this 21st century trajectory of the legendary novel.
Reservations can be made by visiting the website at www.yorktheatre.org
The York Theatre Company concludes its 40th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of the new musical, Cagney, with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern. Bill Castellino is set to direct with choreography by Joshua Bergasse. Broadway veteran Robert Creighton stars as James Cagney who will lead a cast of six in this exciting new musical. Additional casting will be announced shortly. Performances begin Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., with opening scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2015 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 21, 2015 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).
The York Theatre Company offers the 54th Street Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $54.00 – with elite benefits that includes a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions (2 per membership), exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member only receptions.
York Memberships may be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by calling the York Theatre Company Box Office.
For additional information, please visit the website at www.yorktheatre.org.
The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City—and one of very few in the world—dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over four decades, York’s intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused on new musicals in its Mainstage Series—most of them world, American, or New York premieres—by some of the field’s most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 35 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, including its acclaimed revival of Closer Than Ever (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival); commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and Jolson & Company, and revivals of Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.
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