New Musical Based on Molly Shannon Book Will Get NYC Reading With Melissa Van Der Schyff, Anika Larsen and More

By Adam Hetrick
27 Feb 2013

Melissa van der Schyff
Melissa van der Schyff
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Melissa van der Schyff, Anika Larsen and Jeremy Morse will take part in a private New York City reading of the new musical Tilly the Trickster, based on the children's book by former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and film actress Molly Shannon.

The piece has music and lyrics by Drew Fornarola (College the Musical) and a book by Jeremy Dobrish (Eight Days Backwards). Tilly the Trickster is being developed as a licensable title for Theatre for Young Audiences by licensing agency Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Dobrish will direct the March 1 reading that features Van Der Schyff (Bonnie & Clyde), Larsen (Xanadu) and Morse (Goodspeed's Hello, Dolly!) as well as Hannah Elless, Jason Collins and Matt Wolfe, with stage directions by Emily Ludolph.

Released in 2011, the book "Tilly the Trickster" centers on a young girl who loves playing tricks on her friends and family. Things aren't as funny when someone turns the tables on Tilly. Shannon described the character as an "imperfectly perfect role model" in a story that encourages readers and audiences to "embrace the silliness and fun of life."

TRW President and CEO Steve Spiegel said in a statement, "TRW is thrilled to be developing this high­spirited and fun story from the page to the musical stage along with offering resources and support for the reading. It will be a treasured addition to the TRW catalog of exciting new shows for family audiences"