Theater Announces Casting, Creative Teams For National Conference

Information via Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

WATERFORD, CT — The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is pleased to announce the casts and creative teams of the three musicals that are undergoing the O’Neill’s signature development process as a part of the 2022 National Music Theater Conference.

“We couldn’t be happier with the creative teams, casts, and musicians we selected for the three conference musicals this year,” said Artistic Director Alexander Gemignani. “Filled with familiar faces alongside new ones, not only are the three companies immensely talented, but they are generous and collaborative human beings that will be invaluable to these fantastic writers realizing their visions.”

The conference begins with Siluetas with book and lyrics by Erlina Ortiz and music and lyrics by Robi Hager. The cast includes Angel Alzeidan (Siluetas developmental presentation at Power Street Theatre) as Khalilah, Daníel Colón (NJ premiere of Ortiz’s Morir Sonyando at Passage Theatre) as Ancestor 1, Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda (Off-Broadway’s Americano!) as Mama, Florencia Cuenca (Off-Broadway’s A Never-Ending Line, Children of Salt) as Ancestor 3, KO (Broadway’s In the Heights, Moulin Rouge!, Tony Award for West Side Story) as Dinora, Eliseo Roman (Broadway’s On Your Feet, Leap of Faith, In the Heights) as Ancestor 2, Guillermo Jemmott (Kringle Time, Co-Founder of Opia Arts) as Richard, and Garrick Vaughan (European Tour of Hair) as Ian. Raphael Torn will play percussion with additional musicians still to be announced. Siluetas is directed by Rebecca Aparicio with music direction by Abel Garriga and dramaturgy by Lexy Leuszler. Chloe Geller is the music assistant.
Siluetas brings the stories of immigrants and refugees to the front. Conservative ex-house wife Dinora and activist-artist Khalilah move in together amidst a charged 2016 presidential campaign, the loosening of the Cuban embargo, and the escalation of the Syrian Civil War. Through their growing friendship—and a little guidance from the Ancestors—they learn about the importance of community, friendship, and forgiveness. Public readings will be held July 16 at 7pm, July 20 at 8pm, and July 22 at 7pm.

The Jordan & Avery Show with book, music, and lyrics by Jay Adana will feature Ally Bonino (Off-Broadway’s Suffs) as Jordan and Zeniba Now (Beloved for #BARS at the Public Theater) as Avery. The band includes Skyler Fortgang on drums and Darren Lucas on guitar with additional musicians to be announced. It is directed by Jess McLeod with music direction by Emily Whitaker and dramaturgy by Carrie Chapter. EJ Reifler is the music assistant.
In The Jordan & Avery Show, Jordan and Avery post comedy songs on YouTube. They find out they’re getting evicted. Naturally, they post a song about it…and it goes viral. The Last Five Years meets tick, tick…BOOM! in this bittersweet comedy about friends stumbling their way through grief. Together and apart. Public readings will be held July 23 at 7pm, July 27 at 8pm, and July 29 at 7pm.

The final show of the conference, Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, stars Gavin Creel (Broadway’s Thoroughly Modern Millie, She Loves Me, Tony Award winner for Hello, Dolly!), who also wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the piece. It will feature Ben Moss and Ximone Rose as vocalists and Dominic Dorset, Chris Peters, Corey Rawls, Sherisse Rogers, and Meg Toohey as its band. Walk on Through is directed by Linda Goodrich with music direction by Madeline Benson and dramaturgy by Zeina Salame. Terence Odonkor is the music assistant.

Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice is a thrilling new theatrical concert. Inspired by the countless hours he spent wandering through the world-renowned collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gavin Creel has created a wildly original piece filled with songs and stories that explore his journey through art, love, and life. Public readings will be held July 30 at 7pm, August 3 at 8pm, and August 5 at 7pm.

Tickets for all National Music Theater Conference performances are $30 and are on sale now. More information at theoneill.org/ summer22.