The York Theatre will present developmental readings of two new musicals this month: Everyone Comes to Elaine’s, starring Mary Testa as legendary NYC restaurateur Elaine Kaufman; and Invisible: A New Musical, a sci-fi-comedy musical where H.G. Wells and John Hughes collide.
Everyone Comes to Elaine’s—featuring a book by Asa Somers and music and lyrics by Robert and Steven Morris, and Joe Shane—will be presented October 8 at 3 PM and October 9 at 1 PM. Directed by Jeff Calhoun, the cast will feature multiple Tony nominee Testa (Oklahoma!, Wicked, Xanadu), joined by Todd Buonopane (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Tony Crane (Between Riverside and Crazy), Cooper Grodin (Masquerade), Julie Halston (Our Town), Mel Johnson Jr (The Lion King), Amy Keum (KPOP), Michael Kostroff (Dog Day Afternoon), Remy Laifer (Fiddler on the Roof national tour), Tess Marshall (Titanique), Pascal Pastrana (A Beautiful Noise), and Danny Sherman (Kinky Boots). The creative advisor is Tim Hotcher with music direction by Reagan Casteel. Based on a book by A.E. Hotchner, the musical follows Elaine’s journey through love, betrayal, and eventual triumph.
Invisible: A New Musical, with a book by David Hollingsworth and music and lyrics by David Orris, will be presented October 15 at 3 PM and October 16 at noon. Marc Kudisch will direct a cast that includes Isa Antonetti (Buena Vista Social Club), Giuseppe Bausilio (Hamilton), Henry Beddoe (Only Hope), Brandon Cameron (Hadestown), Jessie Davidson (SIX), Jordan Goodsell (Masquerade), Dan Hoy (Pirates! The Penzance Musical), Mya Rena Hunter (Les Misérables national tour), Marina Jansen (How to Dance in Ohio), Dani Kucera (Pretty Woman national tour), Alex Raymond Ross, A.J. Shively (Paradise Square), and Arif Silverman. The readings will have musical direction by Déa Thatcher with Michael Herlihy on guitar, Randy Fox on drums, and Magda Kress on bass. Kylie Cottrell is stage manager, Jay David is sound supervisor, and Amy Sapp is the creative producer.
The musical is set in 1988 at Springborough High School, where Tiffany Madison and Tiffany Melrose reign supreme, along with rich uber-jock Chetwick Vandingwary. All the way at the bottom, two nerds, Griff Grabowski and Teddy Kemper, vie for the Tiffanies’ attention, much to the chagrin of their goth friend Hemlock. When Griff and Kemper attempt to become popular using science, but accidentally turn Griff invisible instead, all seems lost—until the pair learn that being invisible may just have its advantages.
The York is currently producing at The Theatre at St. Jean’s at 76th Street and Lexington Avenue.
Industry professionals interested in attending the readings should contact [email protected].