Those scheduled to be part of the 8 PM evening include Ashlie Atkinson, Jeb Brown, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Natalie Douglas, Jenny Fellner, Ryan Duncan, Tracy Jai Edwards, Lawrence Feeney, Rob Gallagher, Eric Michael Gillett, Cady Huffman, Donovan Patton, Christine Pedi, Michael Pemberton, Rene Ruiz, Kate Shindle, Michael West and Doug Wert. The Atrainplays, according to a press statement, are created by six teams: "On Tuesday evening, August 1st, four librettists will hop on the A train at 207th Street and begin writing the books for four 15-minute musicals, all set on the A train. Before each of the teams begins their journey, they pick a number between 3 and 5 to set the number of characters, then they choose headshots from a blind draw to determine who is in each piece. When the librettists reach the Far Rockaway stop, they randomly select, through another blind draw, their collaborative lyricists, composers, directors and choreographers, who have been awaiting their arrival at a nearby McDonald’s with two playwrights joining them and just beginning their journey. Two directors will meet the creators of the now finished plays at 207th Street and they all proceed to Columbus Circle where they meet the pre-selected pool of actors, decipher their scribbles, copy the scripts and begin rehearsals. They have until show time the next day, Wednesday night, August 2nd at 8 PM to develop these works into six exciting new musical experiences."
The musicals will be created by writers David Grimm, Stephen O’Rourke, Craig Pospisil and Erica Silberman; lyricist-composers Gaby Alter, Brian J. Nash and Jeremy Schonfeld; directors Edie Cowan, Michael Dulling and Barry McNabb; and choreographers Tricia Brouk and Dwight Edwards. The creative team also includes Alec Berlin (musical director), Andrea “Spook” Testani (production supervisor), Paul Witte (lighting designer), Andrew Donovan (original scenic designer) and Linda Marvel (production stage manager).
New World Stages is located in Manhattan at 340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues. Tickets, priced $50 and $100, are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com.
