The works planned for the free, open-to-the-public series include:
Emoh Ruo, music by Matthew Frank, book and lyrics by Dean Bryant. The show, whose title is "our home" spelled backwards, "covers 10 years in the life of a rural Australian family, the Macphersons. This new musical by the authors of Prodigal explores the family’s efforts to reconcile with each other and the past, a resolution made difficult by the lies, stories and myths they have grown into believing." 7:30 PM Sept. 28.Marie Antoinette in Limbo by Jane White. "This play is a comedy of the theatre; focusing on two American divas and a British director in dire straits out of town." 7:30 PM Sept. 29, 2003.The Tutor, music by Andrew Gerle, book and lyrics by Maryrose Wood, presented in a special series of workshop performances. "When an aspiring young novelist is hired as a tutor to help get a punk teenage girl from the Upper East Side into Princeton, he — and his book — will never be the same." The Tutor was developed at the O'Neill Music Theater Conference and is a two-time winner of the Richard Rodgers Studio Development Award. Presentations are 7 PM Oct. 7, 2 PM Oct. 8, 11 AM Oct. 9, 3 PM Oct. 9, 11 AM Oct. 10 and 3 PM Oct. 10.
It Is No Desert, by Dan Stroeh. "A story of acceptance and triumph, it Is No Desert documents playwright Dan Stroeh's battle with neurofibromatosis, examining the effects that this incurable disease has had on his life. A sensitive, poignant, and often humorous play that celebrates the vibrancy and terror of living. It Is No Desert is a story about learning how to live with disease, but—ultimately—it is a story about learning how to live." 7:30 PM Oct. 12.Green Gables, book, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. "An orphan girl, Anne Shirley, is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Soon her undeniable spirit captures everyone in Avonlea as all the joys and sorrows of L.M. Montgomery's beloved book are brought to life in this delightful new musical." This is a completely separate from the performance of Anne and Gilbert done earlier this summer in the York series; and is separate from the popular-in-Canada musical, Anne of Green Gables. 7:30 PM Oct. 13.Pablo, book, music and lyrics by Charles Bloom. "Pablo is a new musical which traces the early life (1899-1906) of Pablo Picasso. It explores his family, friendships, loves, his professional progress in Paris…and those who would have it stopped. But more than merely a musical biography, Pablo is about the birth of a new vision, the sacrifices for success…and the inevitability of genius." 7:30 PM Oct. 27.Playboy of the Western World, book and music by Richard B. Evans, book and lyrics by Kate Hancock, suggested by the play of the same name, by J.M. Synge. "Pegeen Flaherty, a young woman in a remote Irish village in 1907, is engaged to be married. But her plans, and the lives of all the colorful characters within her village, are upset by the arrival of a mysterious and handsome young stranger." 7:30 PM Nov. 9.Abelard and Heloise, music by Tom Polum, lyrics by Greg Cullen, book by Polum, Cullen and Stuart Marland. "The year is 1117 A.D; The place is the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris; this is the true story of Abelard and Heloise. Love was their only crime, but their punishment was beyond imagination." 7:30 PM Nov. 10, 2 PM Nov. 11.The Happy Prince, book, music and lyrics by Frank Schiro. "A statue who speaks, a disgruntled pigeon, a conceited swallow, and a bumbling government: Come into the world of The Happy Prince. A funny, warm and touching musical fable based on the timeless Oscar Wilde story." 2 PM Dec. 4, 2 PM Dec. 5. Jeff Landsman is the developmental series coordinator at the York. York Theatre Company is devoted to musical theatre, though this series does offer a couple of non musicals. James Morgan is York's artistic director.
York presents at The Theatre at Saint Peter's, Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street.
To make reservations for the free events, call (212) 935 5824, ext. 24.
Visit www.yorktheatre.org for more information.
