Amy Rogers, associate professor of musical theatre and creator of the BFA musical degree program at Pace, and music director Joel Waggoner are collaborating with the authors to develop the new work.
The cast for the staged reading features Sarah Hollands, Ethan Carlson, Katy Rea, Kevin Shotwell, Andrea Ross, Ragan Pharris, Bethany Perkins, Melanie Wildman, Claire Charland, Samantha Grossman, Hannah Grace Forsley, Jacob Pincus, Nick Zients, Spencer Clark, Jimmy Larkin, Lexi Rabadi and Michael Hughes.
Little Miss Fix It, according to PNM, "tells the story of Nan, a gloriously precocious and imaginative 11-year-old free spirit who drinks black coffee for breakfast, and tries to bend spoons with her mind. The one thing Nan fears most: disorder. With her parent's marriage crumbling, Nan dedicates herself to 'fixing' her friends problems. When Nan meets David, a 12 year-old Impressionist in the park, she is even more overwhelmed by the highly unorganized feelings that come with first love. As she tries to save her parent's marriage and the problems of everyone around her, Nan embarks on a hilarious and heartwarming journey, discovering that you can't always control what happens in life; but that sometimes great things happen when you let go, simply trust your instincts, and take a step not knowing where you're going to land."
The show was conceived at NYU's graduate musical theatre writing program and through a grant from The Collaborative Arts Project in New York.
Other members of the creative team include production stage manager Connor Santos and lighting designer David Shocket. Little Miss Fix-It is offered Jan. 29 at 7:30 PM, Jan. 30 at 7:30 PM, Jan. 31 at 7:30 PM, Feb. 1 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM at Schaeberle Studio Theatre (41 Park Row, 10th floor). For reservations, call (212) 346-1352 or email [email protected].
Additionally, the second Pace New Musicals Lab will present work by Pace student writers, including a concert reading of Confirmed, featuring a book by Will Sasso and music and lyrics by Kailey Marshall; and a table reading of Oasis, featuring a book by Jen Littlefield and music and lyrics by David Gomez and John Michael Lyles.
PNM will also present a piece featuring the work of composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The cast will include Aaron Albert, Chandler Reeves, Cory Jeacoma, Marissa O'Donnell, Tony Clements, Kerri George, Devin Lewis and Aury Krebs. This project will be closed to the public.
Confirmed, according to PNM, "is described as a pop-rock, teen spiritual journey. When Lana, a rebellious, but misguided teen, finally goes too far with a sexy end of summer bash, she issent to Catholic school to change her ways. While there, she will struggle to find love, redemption, and raise some hell while she’s at it! This off beat story tells of adolescents grappling to find what to believe in, who to believe in, and most importantly, how to find faith in oneself."
Directed by Rebeca Radoszkowicz with music direction by Marshall, the cast for the concert reading will feature Carly Grayson, Adam Levy, Paige Mobley, Amanda Braun, Tatiana Lofton, Mary Claire Miskell, Mike Egan, Adam Salazar, Toren Nakamura, Billy Goldstein and Liana Wright-Mark. Jennifer McMahon is the production stage manager.
Confirmed will play Jan. 25 at 7 PM and Feb. 1 at 11 AM at Pace University's Schaeberle Studios (41 Park Row, 10th floor). Tickets are free for the PNM Lab.
Oasis, a musical creation myth, "tells the story of Adam, a man living in an Edenic place without crime or despair and also without love," according to PNM. "Adam falls into a forbidden love with Helen who rejects him when her own life is put at risk. Adam embarks on a journey to discover the dark truth of this seemingly perfect place, risking his life to save Helen, and eventually the people. This musical begs the question: is it better to live in ignorant bliss or to face our own violent humanity?"
The cast for the table reading will include Joe Ogren, Emily Rogers, Ian Fairlee, Sarah Hamaty, Jamen Nanthakumar, Emily Hughes, and Chris Nolan. Sean Potter serves as dramaturge and assistant director. Oasis will be closed to the public.
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