Cavewomen Celebrated in Song in Pterodactyl Island Musical, in NY Fringe, Aug. 10-23

By Kenneth Jones
10 Aug 2003

Escape From Pterodactyl Island, the sort of extreme title you expect from the New York International Fringe Festival, has Tony Award nominee Tim Jerome singing in the sci-fi musical adventure, Aug. 10-23.

Jerome plays Dr. Devo in the show, which makes it U.S. premiere at The Wings Theatre in Manhattan. The musical spoofs the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. It had its world premiere at London's Pleasance Theatre in 1999. Time Out London called the sci-fi musical "a foot stomping Jurassic Park."

According to production notes, Escape from Pterodactyl Island, "set in 1890, is the tongue-in-cheek tale of Prof. Robert Worthington who is shipwrecked on a mysterious island populated by sexy cavewomen and carnivorous dinosaurs. He also finds the evil Dr. Devo whose experiments threaten to destroy the human race. Escape from Pterodactyl Island pokes fun at pulpy Victorian science fiction novels as well as their equally campy film adaptations of the 1960s. Pterodactyl Island includes that immortal line spoken by the innocent island maiden, "Kiss? What is this kiss?"

Jerome was nominated for the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his role as "The Family Solicitor" in Me and My Girl and has also been featured in the Broadway productions of La Boheme, Beauty and the Beast, Man of La Mancha (original cast), The Rothschilds, Grand Hotel, Cats, The Magic Show and Lost in Yonkers.

Produced by Steven Yuhasz (Streakin'!) and Marie Reynolds (whose father, Reynold Brown, was one of Hollywood's top illustrators of horror movie posters), Escape from Pterodactyl Island has book and lyrics by Peter Morris and music by Michael Jeffrey.

Phillip George (Forbidden Broadway, Whoop-Dee Doo!) directs, with choreography by Mark Santoro, and musical direction by David Caldwell.

The company includes Kevin Carillo, Alexandra Carlson, Joe Carney, Catherine Carpenter, Ethan James Duff, Frederick Hamilton, Jessica Morris, Lauren Rubin, Joey Sorge and Douglas C. Williams.

Scenic design is by Steven Capone, costumes by Markas Henry, lighting by Herrick Goldman, sound by David Arnold, casting by Carol Hanzel.

All Fringe shows are presented on scattered times and dates. Tickets are $15. Wings Theatre is at 154 Christopher Street, located between Washington and Greenwich Streets. For tickets or more information, visit www.fringenyc.org or call (212) 279-4488.