Full Cast, Creative Team Set for New Group’s The Music Teacher

Stage stars Mark Blum and Kellie Overbey, and singers Jason Forbach, Wayne Hobbs, Jeff Picón, and Sarah Wolfson will head the cast of The New Group’s world premiere of Wallace Shawn and Allen Shawn’s The Music Teacher at the Minetta Lane Theater, February 21-April 8. The production, to be directed by Tom Cairns with music direction by Timothy Long, will officially open on March 6.

This unique blend of theatre and opera focuses on a young teacher and his brilliant female student who conceive and perform a new opera. Wallace Shawn is the author of Marie and Bruce, Aunt Dan and Lemon, and The Designated Mourner. In addition, the Roundabout Theatre Company will produce his adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera this spring. His brother, Allen Shawn, has written numerous orchestra works, song cycles, and chamber operas.

The show’s ensemble features Ross Benoliel, Elisa Cordova, Lauren Jelencovich, Kristin Knutson, Stefanie Nava, Rebecca Robbins, Kathryn Skemp, Bobby Steggert, and Kristina Valada-Viars. The design team includes David Neumann (choreography), Kaye Voyce (costume design), Matt Frey (lighting design), and Shane Rettig (sound design). Cairns, a noted British opera and theater director, will also do the show’s set design.