| "Brooklyn's Bridge, A New Musical" To Have York Developmental Reading on October 8 | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 07:08 pm EDT 09/30/24 | |
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| THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY'S DEVELOPMENTAL READING SERIES PRESENTS BROOKLYN'S BRIDGE A NEW MUSICAL BOOK & LYRICS BY RAY RODERICK MUSIC BY JOSEPH BAKER MUSIC DIRECTION BY JOSEPH BAKER DIRECTED BY RAY RODERICK WITH STEPHEN BERGER • TOMMY J. DOSE • SAVANNAH FRAZIER ANDREA GROSSI-BENITEZ • MATTHEW HARMON • JOHN HILLNER • BEN JONES • PAULA LEGGETT CHASE • CONOR McSHANE • FERGIE L. PHILIPPE • DREW TANABE CHELSEA WHEATLEY THE THEATRE AT ST. JEAN'S (150 EAST 76th STREET, BETWEEN LEXINGTON AND THIRD AVENUES) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8 at 7:30PM New York, NY (September 30, 2024) -- The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director, Marie Grace LaFerrara, Executive Director) "Where Musicals Come to Life,", will present a developmental reading of Brooklyn's Bridge: A New Musical, with book and lyrics by Ray Roderick, music by Joseph Baker, music direction by Mr. Baker and direction by Mr. Roderick. The by-invitation-only presentation will take place on Tuesday, October 8 at 7:30 pm at The Theater at St. Jean's (entrance on 150 East 76th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue. Elevator on Lexington between 76th and 75th, just south of St. Jean's.) For more information, visit www.yorktheatre.org . This presentation is part of The York Theatre Company's Developmental Reading Series. Brooklyn's Bridge is inspired by the extraordinary life of Emily Roebling, wife of Brooklyn Bridge Chief Engineer Washington Roebling. While working in the caissons under the East River, Washington had a debilitating attack of "the bends" and became bedridden. For the next eleven years, only Emily was seen on the work site, delivering plans, handling both engineering and political issues. As the Brooklyn Bridge grows stronger, foundations to towers, cable to roadway, so does their love for one another, as Emily navigates the uncharted waters: a Victorian woman in a man's world. The New York Times recently revised their obituary for Emily Roebling, acknowledging that SHE built the bridge. For more information, visit www.brooklynbridgemusical.com. The cast for Brooklyn's Bridge is Stephen Berger (Kinky Boots), Tommy J. Dose (Ragtime at Fulton Theatre), Savannah Frazier (Amazing Grace), Andrea Grossi-Benitez (Missed Disconnections), Matthew Harmon, John Hillner (Still Getting My Act Together at The York), Ben Jones (Twist of Fate at The York), Paula Leggett Chase (Tootsie), Conor McShane (I Spy a Spy), Fergie L. Philippe (The Connector), Drew Tanabe (How to Steal an Election at The York) and Chelsea Wheatley (Lipstick!). Bios Ray Roderick (Book/Lyrics/Direction) is privileged to be creating a musical that celebrates the American spirit and the remarkable Emily Roebling through the story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Ray was the director and script adaptor for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's US National, and UK/Australian tours (publisher MTI), the writer and director of ‘S Wonderful! The New Gershwin Musical (US tour), the co-writer and director of The Prince and The Pauper Off-Broadway (publisher Samuel French), the co-writer, director, and choreographer of Irving Berlin's I Love a Piano (publisher R&H, three-year national tour US, Japan), The Rat Pack Lounge (Carbonell nomination), A Christmas Survival Guide (publisher Samuel French), and I Love New York (Bistro Award), the creator and co-writer of Are We There Yet?, Coming to America, and The Bikinis, and the writer and director of Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu (Beijing, London West End, Russia, Japan). He's been Creative Director for the USTA US Open, writer and director "Arthur Ashe Kids Day" on ABC, and creator and director for live events and ceremonies on ESPN. As Broadway actor: Barnum, Grind, Cats, The Wind in the Willows, Crazy for You, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Joseph Baker (Music/Music Direction) has been performing as a keyboardist, conductor, and music director on and around Broadway for over 35 years. Shows include Wicked, Shrek, The Lion King, Blood Brothers, The Life, Grand Hotel, Starlight Express, The Tap Dance Kid, Little Shop of Horrors, Catskills on Broadway, Footloose, Bells Are Ringing, and Laughing Room Only. He has also done duties as orchestrator, vocal arranger, or dance arranger on shows as Bubbly Black Girl, The Green Heart, Play It Cool, and Footloose. He has conducted for artists such as Carole King, Petula Clarke, Art Garfunkel, David and Shaun Cassidy, Helen Reddy, Chita Rivera, Leslie Uggams, and other Broadway notables. As a theater composer, Joseph created the arrangements and original material for the hit show The Bikinis and is currently working on a musical about the rivalry between Sarah Bernhardt and Eleanora Duse. Mister B. also composed and arranged the score for the smash hit documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, and is composer, arranger, and producer for "Dittydoodle Works," an exciting children's TV series on Public Television WLIW. The York Theatre Company "Where Musicals Come to Life," is the only theatre in New York City—and one of very few in the world—dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving notable shows from the past. For over five decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, The York has focused on new musicals in its Mainstage Series—most of them world, American, or New York premieres—by some of the field's most esteemed creators and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 45 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available, including its acclaimed revival of Closer Than Ever (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival). Commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and Jolson & Company, and revivals of Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of The York and its programs. Recent York productions have included A Sign of the Times (New World Stages), The Jerusalem Syndrome, Vanities—The Musical, Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust Road, Penelope: or How the Odyssey Was Really Written, Cheek to Cheek: Irving Berlin in Hollywood, A Taste of Things to Come, Marry Harry, and Rothschild & Sons. The critically acclaimed musical Yank! received its Off-Broadway debut at The York, and subsequently to rave reviews in London—as did York's Rothschild & Sons. The hit musical Cagney received its York premiere in 2015, transferring to the Westside Theatre for over 15 months. In 2017, Desperate Measures received a total of 15 award nominations (and three wins) that included Best Musical from the Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Off-Broadway Alliance and subsequently transferred across town to New World Stages. The York is the recipient of a special Drama Desk Award for "Developing and Producing New Musicals," a special Outer Critics Circle Award for "50 Years of Producing New and Classic Musicals." Due to a flood in their home of 30 years at Saint Peter's Church in January 2021, The York is currently producing at The Theatre at St. Jean's at 76th Street and Lexington Avenue. www.yorktheatre.org Instagram: @yorktheatre Twitter: @yorktheatrenyc www.facebook.com/yorktheatrecompany/ www.youtube.com/user/yorktheatre |
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