The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the preservation of musical gems from the past, in association with Penn State Musical Theatre present a reading of the new musical Tyrants, with Music and Lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen and Book by S.P. Monahan on October 22 for two performances only. Tyrants will be presented at the York Theatre Company at St. Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street just east of Lexington) at 11 a.m. and at Pearl Studios (519 8th Avenue, between 35th and 36th Streets) at 3 p.m.
John Simpkins (Bloodsong of Love, Legendale) directs. Emily Erickson is Music Director.
Tyrants simultaneously charts two periods in the life of Edwin Booth: his adolescence on the road with his abusive father, the legendary actor Junius Brutus Booth, and his struggles with depression and addiction later in life, when he’s a famous actor in his own right. When his brother, John Wilkes, ultimately commits the most notorious crime of the nineteenth century, Edwin’s anguish and rage threatens to consume him, until he receives a fateful visit from a young journalist and war veteran, Frank Wilkeson.
The October 22 reading features A.J. Shively (Bright Star) as Edwin Booth, RJ Vaillancourt (Saint Joan) as John Wilkes Booth, Sally Wilfert(Assassins) as Mary Ann Holmes, Lauren Marcus (Be More Chill) as Adelaide Booth, Jason Veasey (The Lion King) as Ira Aldridge, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (A Little Night Music) as Adam Badeau, Steve Snyder as Junius Brutus Booth, Jackie Sanders (Taming of the Shrew) as Laura Keene, Caleb Smith as Francis Wilkeson, Jack Bowman as Ned, and Spencer Davis Milford (The Winslow Boy) as Johnny.
The 11 a.m. reading is open to the public with a $10 advance reservation fee (Complimentary for York Theatre’s Plus! Members; $5 for York Theatre Members). Reservations can also be made on the day of the reading (pending availability) for a suggested $5 donation in person at the box office. Reservations will be available online at www.yorktheatre.org.
The 3 p.m. reading is for Industry guests only and free of charge. Reservations can be made by emailing UnstoppableTheater@gmail.com.