Mark Brokaw (Cry-Baby) serves as artistic director of the organization, which workshops new musicals over the course of two weeks in New Haven, CT. Beth Morrison serves as producer of the Institute. Public readings will take place June 16, 17 and 18.
The first presentation will be Maren of Vardø, featuring music by Jeff Myers and a libretto by Royce Vavrek (June 16 at 4 PM and June 17 at 7 PM). Thaddeus Strassberger will direct with musical direction by Robert Trevino.
The cast will include Christopher Burchett, Cherry Duke, Helen Gabrielsen, Stephanie Joiner, Solange Merdinian, Andrew Nolan and Lisa Williamson.
According to Yale, "Maren of Vardø is inspired by the true story of Maren Olsdatter, a twelve-year-old girl from Vardo, Norway, in 1663, who was accused of dalliances with the devil shortly after her own mother was burned at the stake. Told that she will continue to be tortured unless she confesses to witchery, Maren claims that she has visited hell and was given a tour by Satan himself."
Following will be Pregnancy Pact, with music by Julia Meinwald, and book and lyrics by Gordon Leary (June 16 at 7 PM and June 18 at 1 PM). Brokaw will direct with musical direction by Vadim Feichtner. The cast will include Krystina Alabado, Bonnie Antosh, David Baghat, Andrew Durand, Eryn Murman, Libby Servais, Allie Trimm and Remy Zaken.
Here's how Yale bills the musical: "15 year-old Brynn and her three best friends make a pact to become single mothers together and raise their children together in a shared dream of the perfect life. Their pact grows as other young girls equally disenchanted with their lives begin to find out and want in. What starts as a utopian quest quickly turns complicated as these tender youths get closer and closer to parenthood. Pregnancy Pact is a hard-hitting pop-rock musical about the harsh realities of love, responsibility, and growing up in teenage America."
The final presentation will be The Profit of Creation, with music by Tim Rosser, and book and lyrics by Charlie Sohne (June 17 and 18 at 4 PM). Evan Yionoulis will direct with musical direction by Chris Fenwick.
The cast will feature Danny Binstock, Allison Fischer, Manu Narayan, Blake Segal, Christopher Shyer and Sally Wilfert.
"A liberal scientist takes a bribe from a right-wing organization and head ups the 'Creation Museum' in Kentucky," according to Yale. "His deal with the dark side is complicated when he falls in love, makes promises he can’t keep, and becomes deeply connected to a family with whom, at first glance, he has nothing in common. The Profit of Creation is a story about the collision of science and faith, and what happens when one man strikes a bargain between the two whose price is just too high to keep."
Tickets, priced $15, are available by phoning (203) 562-5666 or by visiting ArtIdea.
