We are very fortunate to be working with the York Theatre. Their specialty is developing and producing new musicals. In fact, they got a special Drama Desk Award for their contributions in this area.
So we are very happy to be announcing our first rehearsal for the upcoming Gayland table read at the York. Friday, October 16th, is the big day.
Huzzah for boots on the ground!
The York Theatre in Manhattan is taking the first step with Gayland. Jason Brubaker, our director, is organizing a music director and singers to do all the new music, so it can be evaluated in terms of staging.
This being New York, there is an awesome amount of musical theatre talent available, so we’ll get to hear the music sung by pros. Very exciting! Stay tuned!
As we’ve developed Gayland 2.0, we have added many new songs, including the sweet “Life Is A Tiny Flicker” and the cool and sophisticated, “I Wanna See Your Cum Face.”
There will be a new audio recording of of the entire Gayland score this weekend at the lovely Esplanade Studios in New Orleans, where John Legend, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson and many others have laid down tracks.
Session no. 1…..Sat., March 7, 12-4 p.m.
Session no. 2…..Sun., March 8, 1-5 p.m.
Esplanade Studios
2540 Esplanade Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
CAST
Boo: Lesley DeMartin
Willow: Maria Elise Thomas
Finn: Jason Amos
Zack: Dylan Tran
Brock: Ivan Griffin
Gaige: Cameron-Mitchell Ware
Zoe/Alto: Ayanna Hampton
Baritone/Ensemble: Scott King
With Piano By: April Mok
Here’s a screen shot of a 4WWL-TV interview with the Executive Director of the Fringe Festival that included some footage of “Gayland.”
Pictured: David Kaplinsky, Lori DeLeon, and Ivan Griffin.
The final attendance numbers are in for “Gayland” at The New Orleans Fringe Festival.
Over the four performances, 591 people saw the show.
The biggest night was Saturday night, at 194. The risers seat 150 people, so that means 44 people were standing on the sides or sitting on the floor in front of the stage an Saturday.
Thanks so much for coming, everyone!
Sunday night, we played to a very full house, and the cast was in a playful mood with lots of ad libs. Probably the audience favorite was from Lesley De Martin, as she hurried her class offstage at the end of Mismatch Mercy Mission, “Come on, this is Fringe. We only have an hour!”
When it was over, we popped champagne, exchanged hugs, and posed for the group photo:
The “Gayland: The Musical,” cast, crew, and creators.
Left to right: Doug Therrien, Lori DeLeon, Spencer Doyle, Charles Kohlmeyer, Dilyara Shiderova, Dave Hurlbert, Scott King, Christopher St. John, Ivan Griffin, David Kaplinsky, Christopher Thompson, Kathleen Westfall, Chard Gonzalez, (second row) April Mok, Joe Furnari, Nick Shackleford, Brittany Scofeld, Lesley DeMartin. Not pictured: Swamp DeVille (sets) Veronica Russell (costumes)
Photo by Sandy Mustard, 11-24-13.
Saturday night, we ran past “sold out” and up towards the Fire Marshall limit for Marigny Opera House. People were packed into every available niche. A visitor from OffBeatMagazine tweeted this pic featuring Ivan Griffin’s showstopper performance of “Im a Real Man.”
Lori DeLeon is bringing a host of characters to life, including Grace, the ungay activist, and an evangelical lesbian preacher. Come see her at the Fringe Festival In New Orleans, November 20-24.
Nick plays Finn, the well-known ballerino, and a slew of other characters. Come see this master of the quick change at the Fringe Festival In New Orleans, November 20-24.
Gayland, The Musical 