Brett Singer & Associates, LLC

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Tragic? YES!  Irreverent? ABSOLUTELY.  Completely True? (sort of)  A New Musical? HELL YEAH!

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and George DeMarco and David Gerard
Present
THE TRAGIC AND HORRIBLE LIFE OF THE SINGING NUN
An Original Musical
Music and Lyrics by Andy Monroe
Book and Additional Lyrics by Blair Fell
Directed by Michael Schiralli
Performances Begin on September 14
At St. Clements Theatre, 423 West 46th Street

August 14, 2006

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, George DeMarco and David Gerard present an original musical, the tragic and horrible life of the singing nun. Performances begin on September 14 and will run through September 22 at St. Clements Theatre, 423 West 46th Street.

the tragic and horrible life of the singing nun tells the story of the ill-fated nun who sang the Grammy-winning 60’s hit ‘Dominique-Nique-Nique.’ Told through the eyes of a Nun named Sister Coco Callmeishmael, …the singing nun gazes through a pop-culture prism, pulling every candy-colored piece of Catholic Camp – with a phenomenal score -- to recount Sister Smile’s hilariously funny, but ultimately tragic story of sky-rocketing fame and meteoric decline. Though based on a true story, the show takes a few liberties with reality – but always in the name of fun.

The book as well as additional lyrics for …the singing nun are written by Blair Fell, who wrote the play of the same name upon which the musical is based. Blair is also the author of the cult hit "Burning Habits". The composer and lyricist is Andy Monroe ("The Life and Times of Joe Jefferson Benjamin Blow"). The show is directed by Michael Schiralli ("Jackie Hoffman: The Kvetching Continues"), and the design team includes David Ripp (sets), Michael O'Conner (lighting), and Bobby Pearce (Costumes, Tony-nominated for Broadway's TABOO).

The cast of the tragic and horrible life of the singing nun includes Eileen Stevens, Kristen Biehl ("Godspell," "Titanic"), Randy Blair ("Dangerous Beauty," "Behind the Limelight"), Kristine Zbornik ("Mamma Mia," "Splendora"), Stephen Michael Rondel ("Sideways Stories From Wayside School," "Once Upon a Mattress"), Michael Hunsaker ("Ragtime," "Chess"), Laura Daniel ("Lucky Stiff," "Little Shop of Horrors") and Tracey Gilbert ("Paradise," "Burning Habits").

Tickets for the tragic and horrible life of the singing nun are currently available only to NYMF members. Memberships are still on sale. Members can now reserve their tickets by calling (212) 352-3101. Remaining tickets ($20) will go on sale September 1 at theatermania.com or by calling 212 352-3101. The schedule for the tragic and horrible life of the singing nun is Thursday, September 14 at 8PM, Friday, September 15 at 1PM, Saturday, September 16 at 1PM, Sunday, September 17 at 8PM, Monday, September 18 at 1PM and Friday, September 22 at 9PM.

The tragic and horrible life of the singing nun
An Original Musical
Music and Lyrics by Andy Monroe
Book and Additional Lyrics by Blair Fell
Directed by Michael Schiralli
At St. Clements Theatre, 423 West 46th Street
Tickets: $20; Call 212-352-3101 or visit www.theatermania.com. 

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, Sept 14 at 8PM

Sunday, Sept 17 at 8PM

Friday, Sept 15 at 1PM

Monday, Sept 18 at 1PM

Saturday, Sept 16 at 1PM

Friday, Sept 22 at 9PM

 

- more -


Brett Singer & Associates, LLC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

PRESS CONTACT: Brett Singer (212) 307-7181
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Andy Monroe (Composer, Lyricist) is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and was a recipient of BMI's Jerry Harrington Musical Theatre Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in 2002. His musical short, "The Life And Times Of Joe Jefferson Benjamin Blow," has received several productions and has been praised in both Variety and The New York Times.

Blair Fell (Writer and Additional Lyrics) wrote the cult hit "Burning Habits," which has run for over a decade in theaters around New York as well as London’s West End. His other stage comedies include: "The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun," "From the Hip" (NY, LA, SF, Toronto), "Madame Fury," "Naked Will" (NY, Chicago, LA, Dublin). His television work includes "Queer as Folk"(2002 SHINE Award/Best Episode Drama), California Connected (2003 Golden Mic Award-Commentary for "Enemy of the State") and The GLADD Awards. In 2004, Mr. Fell created a daily one-minute mannequin soap opera called, "Civic Passions" airing on PBS throughout California. He is the artistic director of The Burning Boy Theater Company.

Michael Schiralli (Director) directed "The Barbie Project" (Ohio Theater); "Jackie Hoffman: The Kvetching Continues" (Time Out NY Award); "Bob&Carol&Ted&Alice" (Culture Project); "Holiday Ham" (GLAAD nomination), "The Very Worst of Varla Jean Merman" (NY/London/LA, Theater West Award); "Coco Peru Is Undaunted" (GLAAD Award, Best Theater LA), "The Vendler Television Playhouse" starring soap stars Kim Zimmer & Robert Newman; "Valentine’s Day Massacre" (Drama Dept.), "Nothin’s Easy and Nobody’s Happy" with Colette Hawley (MTW, HBO Workspace); "Darlene Love’s True Love" (NY, LA); "Songs for a New World" with Jason Robert Brown; "Damaged Care" (U.S. House of Congress). MTW’s Holiday Extravaganza with Kristin Chenowith & Chris Sieber. Michael directed segments for HBO’s Anything But Standup, Toyota Comedy Fest. Workshops include: Laura Nyro Project (MTC), Julia Cameron’s "Medium At Large"; "Blow- Up World" with Kristine Zbornik; "Tower Of Babble" (NYC Fringe Festival).

 

George DeMarco (Producer) has been involved in the New York theatre scene for almost 20 years.  He produced the New York premiere of the Olivier Award winning "Burning Blue" starring Chad Lowe and co-produced the highly acclaimed New York productions of the comedy, "The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun" as well as the one man multi-media play, "This Is a Test." He served as General Manager for "Twilight of the Golds" and "When the Bough Breaks" for New Voices Theater Ensemble; a not-for-profit theatre company which produced issue oriented work. While a company member of the American Globe Theater, he helped establish their first Board of Directors, served as Treasurer for two years and was on the production team for "Bus Stop," "Picnic," "Hot L Baltimore," "On the Verge" and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." He is a graduate of the Commercial Theater Institute and is thrilled to be making his debut as a musical theater producer and to be working with such a talented creative team.

 

David Gerard (Producer) is an award-winning producer of commercials (recipient of the Cannes Lion, Clio, among others). David produced several runs of Mr. Fells "Burning Habits" as well as the original productions of "The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun" and "Naked Will.”  He also produced “Them”, a series of monologues by Jess Cagle directed by Joel Schumacher.

 

 

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