Staged readings of the new musical Stu for Silverton will be presented April 3 at 11 AM and 3 PM at the Norman S. Benzaquen Hall, 450 West 37th Street.
The Broadway-aimed musical is inspired by Stu Rasmussen, who, in 2008, was elected the first openly trans mayor in America in Silverton, Oregon. It features a book by Peter Duchan (Dogfight) with music and lyrics by Breedlove.
Trans performer, writer, and activist Kate Bornstein will play Stu, with Mary Testa as Stu's lifelong partner, Vic. Much of Vic's material was written specifically for Testa while she appeared on Broadway in Wicked, where Breedlove (born Craig Jessup) serves as makeup supervisor.
They will be joined by Stephen Bogardus, Julia Murney, Clarke Thorell, Sharon McNight, Kristine Zbornik, Hazel Anne Raymundo, Vishal Vaidya, Randy Blair, Keri Safran, Paul Salvatoriello, Amma Osei, and Jaiya Chetram.
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Andrew Russell will direct the readings with music supervision and arrangements by Will Reynolds and music direction by Deborah Abramson.
Diana DiMenna produces with casting by Carrie Gardner and Stewart/Whitley and general management by Simpson and Longthorne Theatricals.
The musical first took the stage in Seattle in 2013 before a presentation at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals the following year. "My dream for this show was that it be traditional enough that my grandmas, who are in their 80s, could come see it and connect to Stu and want him to be the president of the Universe," Breedlove told Playbill at the time.
“When I came out in the '80s, there were no words for what I was; I called myself not-man, not-woman, neither/nor, and I’ve been writing books about that ever since,” said Bornstein in a statement. “Now, thirty years later, I’m singing about it! Onstage! In a musical!”
For more information or to inquire about attending the reading, contact [email protected].
Back: Tally Sessions, Julia Murney and D.C. Anderson
