The series of semi-staged performances will include Minnie's Boys (May 30-June 1), Grind (June 13-15) and Goodtime Charley (June 27-29) as well as a new Larry Grossman revue (July 11-13). The latter will feature songs penned by Grossman for Broadway musicals, television, revues, cabaret acts and a presidential inauguration.
Each show will play five performances: Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2:30 and 8 PM, and Sunday at 2:30 and 7:30 PM. Audience discussions will follow all matinees.
Details of the shows follow:
Minnie's Boys: music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Hal Hackady, book by Arthur Marx and Robert Fisher. "The early true-life adventures of the Marx Brothers and their indefatigable mother inspired this heartfelt, tuneful laugh fest. The long-suffering Minnie Marx, has five teenage sons who keep her life in perpetual chaos. Unwilling to settle for a life of poverty, she encourages the boys to follow their dreams of vaudeville stardom, touring with them through good times and bad. Then Adolph, Leonard, Milton, Herbert and Julius develop their stage personas, and become known to the world as Harpo, Chico, Gummo, Zeppo and Groucho." (Broadway, 1970)
Grind: original book by Fay Kanin, music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, new book by Brad Rouse. "In the depths of the Great Depression, a Chicago burlesque house draws customers with a daring mix of white and African American performers. Hard times, human passions and ingrained bigotry make for a volatile atmosphere. As tension grows, tempers flare and lives hang in the balance, but the show must go on – or will it?" This Mufti production features a new libretto and songs cut from the Broadway production. (Broadway, 1985) Goodtime Charley: book by Sidney Michaels, music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Hal Hackady. "Legendary figures come to life in this touching story of friends torn apart by the forces of history. Easygoing milquetoast Charley is technically the monarch of France, but his country is actually controlled by two corrupt, manipulative courtiers. Then a simple peasant girl named Joan appears. Defying convention, she befriends Charley, debunks the phonies, dons armor, and leads Charley’s once-inept armies to surprising victories in the field. As Joan's fame grows, her relationship with King Charles VII succumbs to political intrigue and mutual suspicion." (Broadway, 1975)
The York Theatre Company plays the Theatre at Saint Peter's, which is located at 54th Street, east of Lexington Avenue. For more information or to purchase tickets, priced $35, call (212) 935-5820 or visit www.yorktheatre.org.
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"Mufti" means "in street clothes, without the usual trappings."
