Ziemba, May, Bogart, et al. Headline "Musicals in Mufti"
The York Theatre Company has announced casting for its Spring 2004 “Musicals in Mufti” series. The three shows in the series will have five performances each at the company’s home theater at Saint Peter’s in the Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street.
First up is Best Foot Forward, with a score by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and a book by John Cecil Holm. George Abbott directed the original production of this college musical, which opened on Broadway in 1941. The most famous song from the show is “Buckle Down, Winsocki.” The Mufti production is being directed by Jay Binder, with musical direction by Michael Dansicker; featured in the cast are Justin Bohon, Jennifer Cody, Tom Deckman, Sarah Jane Everman, Angela Gaylor, Leah Hocking, Phillip Lestrange, Stacie Morgain Lewis, Michael Mastro, Mark Price, Jim Stanek, and Gene Weygandt. The show will be performed on Friday, March 19 at 8pm; Saturday, March 20 at 2:30pm and 8pm; and Sunday, March 21 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm.
Fanny, based on Marcel Pagnol’s “Marius” trilogy, was the first musical produced by the legendary David Merrick. It starred Ezio Pinza and Walter Slezak and introduced audiences to Florence Henderson in the title role. S.N. Behrman and Joshua Logan’s book highlights the gems in Harold Rome’s score and tells a moving story of romance in Marseilles. Fanny will be directed for the Mufti series by Michael Montel; Andrew Gerle will serve as musical director. The cast will be led by Matt Bogart, David Pittu, David Schramm, and Martin Vidnovic. Performances are scheduled for Friday, March 26 at 8pm; Saturday, March 27 at 2:30pm and 8pm; and Sunday, March 28 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm.
Weird Romance is a musical theater adaptation of two popular science fiction stories by Alan Menken (music), Alan Brennert (book), and David Spencer (lyrics and additional book). The Mufti presentation will mark the New York debut of a revised version of the show, including two new songs. It will be directed by Sheryl Kaller, with musical direction by Fred Lassen. Weird Romance will star Darius de Haas, John Hickok, Marcy Harriell, Deven May, Brooke Sunny Moriber, and Karen Ziemba; it will be presented on Friday, April 2 at 8pm; Saturday, April 3 at 2:30pm and 8pm; and Sunday, April 4 at 2:30pm and 7:30 pm.
Tickets for all shows are $35 and may be purchased by phoning 212-868-4444 or through www.SmartTix.com. When available, rush tickets may be purchased for $20 (cash only) at the box office 30 minutes before each performance.
