Forestburgh Playhouse has announced casting and creative teams for its 4th annual In the Works~In the Woods Festival. Programming will run September 6–8 at the New York venue, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Franklin Trapp and Festival Artistic Director and Director of Creative Development Matt Lenz.
As previously reported, the festival will include several staged readings, beginning with Palimpsest, a new play by Alix Sobler (Sheltered). The work will be presented September 6-7 and directed by Emily Young (Fiasco Theater). The cast will feature Anna Sundberg (I'm Not a Serial Killer), Lou Liberatore (Burn This), Ali Rose Dachis (A Fish in the Dark), Luis Vega (Buena Vista Social Club), Molly O’Brien, Laurel Anderson, and Melissa Mitchem.
Rebel Genius, a new musical with book, music, and lyrics by Peabody Award winner Matthew Puckett, will follow, running September 7-8. Noah Himmelstein (I Am Harvey Milk) will direct the musical about Albert Einstein and Mileva Maric with Nicholas James Connell (Titaníque) serving as music director. The cast will feature Nathan Salstone (Sweeney Todd), Rachel Gold (Phantom of the Opera), Kyle Scatliffe (Les Misérables), Robert Anthony Jones (Finding Neverland), Emily Esposito, Richard Brundage, Kyle Hendricks, Max Boone, Bryan George Rowell, and Nicole Fragala.
Roja, a new bilingual musical for young audiences by Jaime Lozano (El Otro Oz) and Tommy Newman (Band Geeks), will also be presented September 7-8. Florencia Cuenca will direct. The cast will include Mayelah Barrera, Mario Tadeo, Daniela Delahuerta, Yahir Montes, and Max Cervantes.
Broadway veteran Michael Mastro's solo show, I Want to Be Good, will be presented September 8, with direction by Jack Cummings III (Follies at Carnegie Hall).
The festival will also include the return of Catskills Cab Lab, a series dedicated to developing cabaret experiences with emerging solo performers. This year's installment, held September 6-8, will feature Tony nominee Sidney DuPont (Paradise Square) in I Gotta Be Me, directed by Greg Kamp; and TikTok sensation Alyssa Payne in Extra Crispy, directed by Robin Levine. Balint Varga serves as Catskills Cab Lab musical director and arranger.
The Off the Cuff Conversations Series, which features theatre professionals in impromptu discussions about their careers and the creative process, will include conversations with Tony Honoree and author Bill Berloni, Tony-nominated playwright Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Water for Elephants), and Tony Honoree and Broadway photographer Joan Marcus.
Visit FBPlayhouse.org for more information.
