Fat Camp Reading, with Blonsky, Jibson, McCarthy and Zbornik, Presented Feb. 19

By Adam Hetrick
19 Feb 2010

Nikki Blonsky
Nikki Blonsky
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

A private Manhattan reading of the new musical Fat Camp, starring stage and screen Hairspray leads Carly Jibson and Nikki Blonsky, is presented Feb. 19.

Created by Randy Blair (book/lyrics), Timothy Michael Drucker (book) and Matthew Roi Berger (music), Fat Camp originally played a sold-out run at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in fall 2009.

The reading reunites members of the NYMF cast and creative team, including director Alex Timbers, who will also helm Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson at the Public Theater in March. Connor Gallagher again choreographs with musical direction by Jason DeBord.

In addition to Blonsky ("Hairspray" the movie) and Jibson (Broadway's Hairspray and Cry-Baby), the reading includes Jeff McCarthy (Urinetown, Side Show), Sarah Saltzberg (Spelling Bee), Kristine Zbornik (A Catered Affair, Road Show) and lyricist Blair (Adding Machine).

Also performing are Michael Buchanan, Ally Bo, Nancy Renee Braun, Tricia Burns, Molly Hager, Cale Krise, Michael Mendez, Larry Owens, Marc-Sully Saint-Fleur, Josh Segarra, Becca Tobin, Kate Weber and Tracy Weiler.

"Nothing is going to make rock-and-roll rebel Robert Grisetti change this summer," according to original NYMF press notes for Fat Camp. "That is, except for one ex-Navy Seal father, two suspiciously cheery camp counselors, and a 12-foot barbed wire fence. Visit Camp Overton, a weight loss retreat for hefty teenagers, as secrets, sex, S'mores, and self-image collide in this new musical comedy exploring the trials and triumphs of being 'the fat kid.'"

Michael Minarik & Eleven Entertainment (Rock of Ages) produce the reading.