Part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Cory will run through Sept. 24. The cast includes Catherine Cox as Mrs. Baker, Harris Doran as Chip, Allen Fitzpatrick as Ted, Cady Huffman as Rose, Herndon Lackey as Richard, Maureen Moore as Charlotte, Christeena Riggs as Louise, John Sloman as Eddie, Patrick Ryan Sullivan as Ted and Lynne Wintersteller as Emily. James Brennan directs with musical direction by Lawrence Yurman.
The creative team also features Michael Bottari and Ron Case (set and costume design) and Phil Monat (lighting design).
Richard Cory, according to the NYMF website, is "based on the famous poem by E.A. Robinson, [and] tells the story of a man who has 'everything' yet simply cannot fit in. Each scene is in a different musical style, but in every interaction, Richard fails to find his own voice."
"The opening number is hymn like," a spokesperson for Dixon told Playbill.com. "The characters Richard encounters during his work day are written in a 'Swingle Singers' jazz style. In the office Richard has an admirer whose song is written in a Gilbert and Sullivan style. When Richard goes to a diner and interacts with the common man, the style turns to Honky Tonk piano. Richard Cory's wife's song, set in an upscale restaurant, is in the style of a modern opera. The office girl, with whom Richard is having an affair, sings in the most straight forward, old-fashioned (Rodgers and Hammerstein) musical-theatre style. And, in the end Richard interacts with his son, who has a song written in a more contemporary musical theatre style."
Dixon said that the idea to adapt the play was Gurney's, and the playwright believed the musical should be through-composed with no music for Richard. Gurney was also involved with the musical's workshop at the O'Neill Center. The musical will be presented Sept. 14 at 8 PM, Sept. 17 at 8 PM, Sept. 18 at 4:30 PM, Sept. 19 at 7 and 9:30 PM, Sept. 21 at 1 PM and Sept. 24 at 1 PM. The Lion's Theatre is located in Manhattan at 410 West 42nd Street.
For more information, visit www.nymf.org.