Theater News

Kelli O'Hara and More Cast in O'Neill Developmental Readings

James Snyder, Mitchell Jarvis, and others are also among the performers set for three new musicals selected for development.

Kelli O'Hara is set to participate in a developmental reading of John Logan and Tom Kitt's Superhero.
Kelli O'Hara is set to participate in a developmental reading of John Logan and Tom Kitt's Superhero.
(© David Gordon)

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center has announced the cast and creative teams for the three new musicals selected for development at the 40th annual National Music Theater Conference, which will run June 24-July 14. Public, staged readings of each musical will be be presented at the venue.

From June 24-30, the O’Neill Theater Center will present Home Street Home, featuring a book by Soma Snakeoil and Fat Mike with David Goldsmith, music by Fat Mike, and lyrics by Fat Mike, Jeff Marx, and Soma Snakeoil. This new musical about survival and self-realization among teenagers living on the street will be directed by Richard Israel and feature music direction by David O. The cast will include Lisa Brescia, Brandon Espinoza, Mitchell Jarvis, Tyler Jent, Billy Lewis Jr., Mary Kate Morrissey, Ryan O'Connor, M.J. Rodriguez, Allie Trimm, Akron Watson, and Chelsea Zeno.

Illa! A Hip Hop Musical, featuring book, music, lyrics by Ronvé O'Daniel with music by Jevares C. Myrick, will run July 1-July 7. Director and story consultant is J. Kyle Manzay, music director is Annastasia Victory, and music consultant and co-vocal arranger is Will Stone. The cast will include Andrew Bancroft, Kyle Carter, Jamal Crowelle, Marva Hicks, Avionce Hoyles, Emily Koch, Stephen Michael Langton, Kingsley Leggs, Bianca Madison, Michael Stiggers, Nyseli Vega, George Vickers, Naomi Walley, Jalise Wilson, and Perry Young. The show's plot is described as follows: "As the 2008 U.S. financial crisis threatens to unravel his family, Prince, a classically trained dancer, dreams of becoming a hip-hop star. Along the way, he falls hard for his competition’s girlfriend and is forced to confront the shattered dreams of his community. It’s a journey of struggle, swagger, and search for self."

Tony winner Kelli O'Hara is set to star in Superhero from July 8-July 14. With a book by John Logan and music and lyrics by Tom Kitt, the new musical is directed by Jason Moore and has music direction by Ian Eisendrath. In addition to O'Hara the cast will include Erik Altemus, Phoenix Best, Kasie Gasparini, Francisco Gonzalez, Danielle Lee Greaves, John Herrera, Kyle McArthur, Mary Mattison, Dimitri Moise, and James Snyder. In Superhero, Charlotte and her teenage son Simon have been struggling with grief and each other, since the death of Charlotte's husband and Simon's father a year before. Through their unlikely friendship with a mysterious man in their building, Jim, they move toward reconciliation and renewed hope.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Featured In This Story