Media Contact: Stephanie Riso
(412)979-5750 (cell/text)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dear Boy Kicks-Off Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh’s Hot Metal Musicals Incubator in June
Pittsburgh, PA – June 14, 2016. On Monday, June 27, 2016, MTAP--Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh launches Hot Metal Musicals Incubator with Dear Boy, book and lyrics by Jeanne Drennan and music by David Berlin, to be presented as a reading at 7:00pm at the Pittsburgh CLO’s Charles Gray Auditorium, 130 CLO Academy Way in downtown Pittsburgh.
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| Stephanie Riso, producer |
Librettist and lyricist Jeanne Drennan, who also serves as MTAP’s Managing Director, commented on the direct impact that the Hot Metal Musicals Incubator will provide.
“Since that initial reading David and I have made huge changes to the work: to the music, to what parts of the story get pulled into the foreground, to the inherent theatricality and the comedy that goes along with it. But since 2010 we haven't had the opportunity to see the entire show presented as seamlessly as possible. So that, and the immediate audience response to the show, will tell us what more we need to do before the show is ready for production.”
About Dear Boy
About The Cast
The cast features Michael Marra as the Earl of Chesterfield, Stanley Graham as his son Stanhope, and Hilary Caldwell as Eugenia. Cyndi Plyler as Mrs. Gimlet leads an ensemble that includes Hope Anthony as Companion and Sara Fisher as Mlle. du Bouchet, plus Rob James, Ryan Patrick Kearney and Nick Mitchell.
Stanley Graham (Stanhope) graduated from Point Park University Oklahoma!, Percy Brown in The Boyfriend and Joseph Surface in The School for Scandal. Regionally, Graham has performed twice with the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops, with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, and recently played John Wilkes Booth in Assassins at Stage 62.in 2015 with a B.F.A. in musical theatre. While at Point Park he played leading roles such as Curly in
Hope Anthony (Companion) is a Point Park University Conservatory graduate. Recent stage credits include Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Georgia in The Exonerated, Vivian in A Lesson Before Dying, Alma in The Music Man, Bessie in The Civil War, A Dynamite in Hairspray, Gladys in Lunch Lady Cabaret, Lillith in Cult Classic at Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, and Tess in A Pirate’s Tale on the Gateway Clipper Fleet.
Rob James (ensemble) works for the Pittsburgh CLO Creative Vision Program. Some favorite roles have been Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q, Roger Debris in The Producers, Dave in The Full Monty, and most recently Sam Byck in Assassins all at Stage 62 in Carnegie. Next adventure with Stephen Santa: Raph/Darth Cancer in Dani Girl at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Ryan Patrick Kearney (ensemble) was recently in the Saint Vincent's Summer Theater production of Route 66 in Latrobe and Off the Wall Theater's production of The Musical of Musicals (the Musical!) in Carnegie! Other theater credits and staged readings have been with The Pittsburgh CLO (Plaid Tidings, The Invention of Edison), Prime Stage (The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451), South Park Theater (Forever Plaid,Nuncrackers), Stage 62 (Titanic, Evita) and others.
Cyndi Plyler (Mrs. Gimlet) has performed with many area theatres in the Cranberry Township area including An Amish Family Christmas. Roles include several runs as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Johnston in Blood Brothers, Patsy Cline in Always…Patsy Cline, Maggie in The Shadow Box, and Jean in Good People. Recently she has been seen at the Strand Theatre in Zelienople in their productions of Oliver (Mrs. Sowerberry), Eulalie Shin in The Music Man, A USO Christmas and Frosty Grinch & Friends. Comtra Theatre, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center and the Canadian tour of
The Creative Team
The reading will be directed by Stephen Santa who previously directed the MTAP reading of Off With Her Maidenheadin 2013 which was the same year he was named one of the top directors in Pittsburgh by CBS Local On-line. Santa has staged over 30 productions in the Pittsburgh area and beyond including UNCHARTED: The Music of Anna K. Jacobs and a concert workshop of TEETH a New Musical both performed at Arts Nova Theatre, NYC.
This Incubator reading of Dear Boy will be produced by MTAP member Vince Ventura, Artistic Director of 12 Peers Theater, with stage management by Mia Rosenfeld. The 2016 Incubator readings are being presented with extensive cooperation and support from the Pittsburgh CLO.
About MTAP
MTAP--Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh--brings together a group of local and regional artists working in a wide range of musical theatre expression, from solo cabaret to full-length narrative musical theatre. The group exists not only to support the development of work members bring in, but also to be an incubator where new works of musical theatre come into being and are nurtured.
MTAP meets monthly between September and May for networking, collaborations, new work development and presentations of work in progress. We are seeking aspiring or established composers, lyricists, librettists, playwrights, performers, professionals, producers and anyone interested in new musical development. To receive regular emails from MTAP about meetings, special events, and opportunities, send an email to mtapgh@gmail.com.
Fact Sheet
Who: MTAP – Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh
What: Hot Metal Musicals Incubator, Dear Boy book/lyrics by Jeanne Drennan, music by David Berlin
Where: Charles Gray Auditorium, CLO Academy, 130 CLO Academy Way 8th Floor, Pgh, PA 15222
When: Monday, June 27, 2016, 7pm
Cost: Free and Open to the Public
Reservations encouraged: Event Page to RSVP is https://www.artful.ly/store/
Details: The Incubator allows a public audience to become involved in the early stages of a new musical’s long and often arduous journey toward full production. Featuring musical works in development by area artists. Visit mtap.weebly.com for more details on the specific presentations.
