Kelli O'Hara, James Snyder, Lisa Brescia, and more will take part in public staged readings of new musicals as part of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s 2017 National Music Theater Conference. Three new works will be presented at the Waterford, Connecticut location June 24–July 14.
Up first is Home Street Home, by NOFX lead vocalist Fat Mike, his wife and adult film performer/director Soma Snakeoil, David Goldsmith, and Avenue Q’s Jeff Marx. Richard Israel will direct a cast that features Brescia, Brandon Espinoza, Mitchell Jarvis, Tyler Jent, Billy Lewis Jr., Mary Kate Morrissey, Ryan O’Connor, MJ Rodriguez, Allie Trimm, Akron Watson, and Chelsea Zeno.
The musical, inspired by the writers’ personal experiences of homelessness and punk culture, follows a 16-year-old runaway’s fight for survival and self-realization on the streets. Readings will take place June 24, 25, 28, and 30.
Jevares C. Myrick and Ronvé O’Daniel’s iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical will be presented July 1, 2, 5, and 7. The musical, which was first presented as a staged reading at New York Music Theatre Festival in 2015, is set against the 2008 U.S. financial crisis and centers around a classically trained dancer with hip hop aspirations.
The cast will include Andrew Bancroft, Kyle Carter, Jamal Crowelle, Marva Hicks, Avionce Hoyles, Emily Koch, Stephen Michael Langton , Kingsley Leggs, Bianca Madison, Michael Stiggers, Nyseli Vega, George Vickers, Naomi Walley, J alise Wilson, and Perry Young. J Kyle Manzay will direct.
Tony winner O’Hara will appear in the staged readings of Superhero, featuring music and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Kitt and a book by Red Tony winner John Logan. The musical tells the story of a grieving widow named Charlotte and her teenage son Simon. As they cope with loss, an unlikely friendship with a man in their building gives them a sense of renewed hope.
In addition to O’Hara, the cast will feature Snyder, Erik Altemus, Phoenix Best, Kasie Gasparini, Frankie Gonzalez, Danielle Lee Greaves, John Herrera, Kyle McArthur, Mary Mattison, and Dimitri Moise.
Readings of Superhero, under the direction of Jason Moore, will be held July 8, 9, 12, and 14.
Tickets for the O’Neill Theater Center’s 2017 summer season will go on sale June 7. For more information, visit TheONeill.org or call (860) 443-1238.
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