The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Interim Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the 2017 summer New2NY Series presentation of the new musical Me & Ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson (Once on This Island, The Lion King), direction by the Tony Award-winning team of Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (Jay Johnson: The Two and Only), with music direction and arrangements by Ron Abel (Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, “Happily Divorced”).
The limited engagement of Me & Ella will play 11 performances only, July 15 – 23, 2017 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Sunday evening, July 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Set against the restless backdrop of the 20th Century and the lush serenity of the Ella Fitzgerald songbook, Broadway veteran Andrea Frierson’s Me & Ella is a valentine to the “First Lady of Song.” Ms. Frierson’s personal storytelling and song stylings provide a loving glimpse into why Ella’s music, heart and determination to overcome the challenges in her life and career continue to inspire. Me & Ella was featured last season as part of the York’s Developmental Reading Series and commemorates the centennial of the legendary songstress.
The performance schedule for Me & Ella is Saturday, July 15 at 2:30 p.m.* & 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 16 at 2:30 p.m.* & 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 19 & Thursday, July 20 at 2:30 p.m.* & 7:00pm p.m., Friday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 22 at 2:30 p.m.* & 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m. (*audience discussions follow these matinee performances).
Tickets are on sale now for York Theatre Company Members only. Tickets for Me & Ella for the general public go on sale June 23, 2017 and are priced at $45-$50 ($31.50 for Members – a savings of up to 35%). Tickets may be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Monday through Friday (12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.).
Further summer events at The York include a Special Summer Musical in Mufti (August 5-13) – a single show to be announced shortly – and the ongoing lobby exhibition “SCENIC DESIGNS BY JAMES MORGAN: A Rather Random Retrospective Celebrating 40+ Years at The York Theatre Company and Elsewhere.” All works in the exhibit are available for purchase and to be autographed.
York Theatre Company offers the York! Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $75.00—with elite benefits that include up to 35% off tickets to York Theatre Productions, exclusive Member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special Member-only receptions. The York also offers a York Plus! Membership Programwith additional perks, including complimentary tickets to Mainstage productions and invites to several VIP-only presentations throughout the season.
York Memberships can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by visiting the York Theatre Company Box Office (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), or by calling the Box Office at (212) 935-5820 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
For additional information, please visit www.yorktheatre.org
New York, NY (July 23, 2012) – Due to popular demand and critical acclaim, one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, presented by The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will resume performances tonight, July 23rd at The York Theatre at Saint Peter’s (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).
Originally scheduled to end its limited engagement on July 14, 2012, and following a one-week hiatus, tickets are now on sale through August 25, 2012.
With direction by Mr. Maltby, associate direction and choreography by Kurt Stamm and music direction by Andrew Gerle, the cast features Broadway veterans Jenn Colella (Urban Cowboy, High Fidelity), George Dvorsky (The Scarlet Pimpernel),Tony Award nominee Christiane Noll (Ragtime, Jekyll & Hyde) and Sal Viviano (The Full Monty). Performances began June 5, 2012 with the official Opening Night on June 20, 2012.
Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire's musical treasure Closer Than Ever is back Off-Broadway at the York Theatre Company with an exciting new cast and fresh additions to the timeless score. When it premiered in 1989, the show spoke to a generation of theater-goers and featured "one of the half-dozen finest American theater scores of the last decade" (New York Times). An intimate musical about love, friendship, security, happiness – and holding onto those essentials in a world that pulls us in a hundred directions at once – Closer Than Ever at the York isn't merely a revival, it's the homecoming of an Off-Broadway classic.
The creative team includes James Morgan (sets), Nicole Wee (costumes), Kirk Bookman (lights), and Stephanie Wagner (Props). The Production Stage Manager is Bernita Robinson.