A previous staged reading of the musical was held at Bay Street in July 2007 as a benefit for the theatre. The musical features a score by Academy Award nominee Ian Fraser and lyrics by John Bucchino, whose musical A Catered Affair makes its way to Broadway this spring. Simeon's Gift tells the tale of a young wandering minstrel in search of the music within his soul. Through his fairy-tale like travels, he encounters numerous characters and creatures that ultimately help him release the music within.

Simeon's Gift will premiere during Thanksgiving weekend at Bay Street, from Nov. 23–25. Marcia Milgrom Dodge directs the production, featuring recorded narration by Julie Andrews. Casting will be announced at a later date.

In a statement Andrews commented on the upcoming production: "It is thrilling for Emma and I to see Simeon's Gift come to life on stage with such beautiful music and lyrics. I cannot think of a better place for it to receive its world premiere than Bay Street Theatre."

Academy Award winner Julie Andrews is well known for her work on stage and screen. She made her Broadway debut in The Boy Friend, which was followed by the role that would launch her career, Eliza Doolittle, in My Fair Lady; she also starred in Broadway's Camelot and Victor/Victoria. Andrews' screen credits include the highly successful films "Mary Poppins" and the screen adaptation of Rodger and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music."

Tickets are available by calling (631) 725-9500 or by visiting www.baystreet.org.

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Andrews and Hamilton's children's book "Simeon's Gift," featuring artwork by Gennady Spirin, is published by Harper Collins.