World Premiere of Zapata!, With Natalie Toro, Enrique Acevedo, Andrew Call, Begins July 24 at NYMF

By Michael Gioia
24 Jul 2012

Natalie Toro
Natalie Toro
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), LC Productions and Julie Miller present the world premiere of Zapata! The Musical July 24-29 at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center.

Directed by Elizabeth Lucas (PTC's Myths and Hymns), the cast features Natalie Toro (A Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserables), Enrique Acevedo (Michael John LaChiusa's Giant), Andrew Call (American Idiot, Cry Baby, Altar Boyz), Eliseo Roman (Leap of Faith, In the Heights), Maria Eberline (Wicked), Blanca Camacho (In the Heights), Tony Castellanos (Jesus Christ Superstar national tour), Victor Hernandez (Bonnie & Clyde), Jen Anaya, Erin Maya, Grisel Pren Monje, Marco Antonio Santiago (The Wedding Singer national tour), Henry Gainza, Nick Duckart, Carlos Gonzalez (In the Heights national tour), Sasha Hollinger (In the Heights national tour) and Santiago Spivey.

Zapata! The Musical, which tells the story of Emiliano Zapata — hero of the Mexican revolution — who appears in the 21st century to inspire a member of the Occupy Wall Street movement, has music and lyrics by L.A./Nashville songwriter Peter Edwards and a book by Edwards and Ana Edwards.

In the Heights assistant choreographer and performer Luis Salgado provides choreography and musical staging with Jesse Vargas (Glory Days, The Ritz) providing musical arrangements and orchestrations.

Other members of the creative team include general manager Miller, musical director Kenneth Gartman, assistant musical director Charles Santoro, scenic and props designer Aaron Scheckler, costume designer Asa Benally, sound designer Jason T. Hurley, dramaturg Anne Davison, production stage manager Annelise Castleberry and assistant stage managers Katie Kavett and John Nehlick. Valeria Cossu and Grisel Pren Monje are the assistants to the choreographer.

Now in its ninth year, the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), which provides a launching pad for the next generation of musicals, is the largest annual musical theatre event in America.

The performance schedule for Zapata! is July 24 at 8 PM, July 25 at 5 PM, July 27 at 5 PM and 9 PM, July 28 at 1 PM and July 29 at 1 PM.

The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre is located inside the Pershing Square Signature Center at 480 West 42nd Street. For more information and tickets, call (212) 352-3101 or visit NYMF.org/Zapata.