The York Theatre Company Announces Beth Leavel et al Cast For Developmental Readings

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced casting for the next three offerings in its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series:   A Doctor in Spite of Himself (February 20), Lunch at the Picadilly (February 22) and The Gig (February 24), featuring Cady Huffman, Beth Leavel, Jose Llana, Jeff McCcarthy, Brad Oscar, Fleur Phillips, Barbara Walsh, and more.  All readings  are free to the public and will take place at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's on 54^th St, just east of Lexington Avenue.  For additional information on the Series and to make reservations for any of the upcoming free presentations, visit the readings page at www.yorktheatre.org.

Each year, York's Developmental Reading Series presents between 30 to 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors. Producing Artistic Director James Morgan says, "These readings give writers a unique opportunity to get audience feedback while a show is still in progress." York's past Mainstage productions of Yank!, Souvenir and The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) were first developed in the Developmental Reading Series, where the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q also made its first appearances. The Developmental Reading Series is made possible in part by The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Development Reading Series schedule is, as follows:

Monday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m.

A Doctor in Spite of Himself

Book, Music and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Directed by David Glenn Armstrong

Musical Direction by Amanda Morton

The cast features Danny Gardner (Room 17B), Tony-winner Cady Huffman (The Producers), Jose Llana (Falling for Eve at The York, Wonderland),  Jeff McCarthy (Urinetown), Tony nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers), Patrick Richwood (Pretty Woman), Alan Safier (Say Goodnight Gracie), Elena Shaddow (La Cage aux Folles) and Joy Hermalyn (Fiddler on the Roof). The reading is directed by David Glenn Armstrong (The Body Beautiful) with music direction by Amanda Morton (Peter and I).

The new musical A Doctor in Spite of Himself with book, music and lyrics by Tony-winner Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me) is based on the classic comedy of manners by Moliere. The story involves a bride-to-be who feigns sickness to avoid her impending marriage and the "doctor" who prescribes the perfect remedy.

Wednesday, February 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Lunch at the Picadilly

Book by Clyde Edgerton

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