Six New Musicals Heard in NYC "Musical Mondays" Series; Patsy Sings March 24-25

This is the fifth season of MMTL, giving voice to emerging works. Bick Goss is producing director. The spring 2003 season includes:

Patsy: Honky Tonk Angel, the life of Patsy Cline as brought to the stage by Ellis Nassour, author of the country-western star's biography, and featuring such hits as "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces" and "Faded Love," with new tunes by composer George Leonard and lyricist Nassour. Monday, March 24 at 7 PM and Tuesday, March 25 at 3 PM.

Up in the Air, a new musical by Warren Loy and Chris Todd in which audience members interact with the cast and determine the direction of the plot. Monday, April 7 at 7 PM and Tuesday, April 8 at 3 PM.

Florence and Carrie, a new play with music by Karen Lewis based on a true crime story. The play explores interracial tensions, murder and intrigue at the dawn of the twentieth century and will be directed by Hope Clarke. Monday, April 21, 7 PM.

Top of the Heap by Bill Squier & Jeffrey Lodin is set in New York City in 1955. Two down-on-their luck comics get a shot at television fame. The price? Only their integrity. Featuring Eddie Korbich. Monday, April 28 at 7 PM and Tuesday, April 29 at 3 PM.

Atom and Eve by composer-lyricist-librettist Lisa Ralia Heffter. A family musical in which two teenagers make a life-changing decision when they travel through time into a futuristic world. Monday, May 5 at 7 PM and Tuesday, May 6 at 3 PM.

It's About Time, by composer Richard B. Evans & lyricist Frank Evans. A first look at a songbook celebrating and bemoaning our headfirst free-fall into middle-age. Monday, May 19 at 7 PM and Tuesday, May 20 at 3 PM. The musicals are presented in staged-reading format at the BTI Theater Arts Center, 210 West 50th Street at Broadway, Second Floor. Individual admission is $15. Discount season subscriptions are $65. For reservations, call (212) 956- 5481, ext. 203.

MMTL's producing director is Bick Goss. Gwen Arment serves as artistic director and Frank Evans is managing director.

In its first four years, Musical Mondays Theater Lab launched 30 new works for the musical theatre, with many going on to workshops and full productions, according to BTI/MMTL.

MMTL has also hosted a series of Master Classes with Broadway artists.