Summer Stock Comes to Greenwich!
The
Greenwich Arts Council presents the new musical
THE MYSTERIES OF HARRIS BURDICK
Sunday, August 26, 4 pm
Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library
FREE ADMISSION
The Greenwich Arts Council, in partnership with the Greenwich Library, will present the Barrington Stage Company Musical Theatre Lab workshop production of the new musical The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, inspired by the acclaimed book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, at the Cole Auditorium of the Greenwich Library, Sunday, August 26 at 4 pm. With a book by Joe Calarco, music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick brings a unique perspective to Van Allsburg’s book, known for its whimsical, haunting and wildly intriguing illustrations. In the stage version, we hear the tale of Harris Burdick, a mysterious man who appears at the publishing offices of Peter Wenders with illustrations for a book he has written. Burdick promises to return the next day with the stories he has written to go with the illustrations—and never does. The illustrations are given a musical life by the composing team.
Last season Barrington Stage Company’s Musical Theatre Lab (with Tony-Award winner William Finn as its Artistic Producer and Julianne Boyd as Artistic Director) premiered the original musical The Burnt Part Boys (book by Mariana Elder, music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen), directed by Joe Calarco. That production brought great acclaim to the creative team, winning praise from critics throughout the Northeast. Barrington Stage Company and the Greenwich Arts Council proudly present the composer and lyricist’s current work for all to enjoy as the final event in this year’s New GAC POPS Concert Series. Admission is free and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The doors will open for the general public at 3:30 pm.
The cast of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick includes Donna Lynne Champlin (from the recent Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd), Michael Winther (Mamma Mia; Songs from an Unmade Bed), Lynne Wintersteller (A Grand Night for Singing; Closer Than Ever), Matt Caplan (recently of Broadway’s Rent), Caroline McMahon (featured in several Off Broadway productions) and Charlie Brady (featured in the Miller/Tysen hit The Burnt Part Boys).
Chris Van Allsburg is a Caldecott Medal award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, renowned for works such as “The Polar Express” and “Jumanji,” both presented as feature films. “The Mysteris of Harris Burdick,” which presents illustrations with a title line and a single descriptive line of text for each image, remains a best-selling classic.
For more information about the New GAC POPS Concert Series and our events and programs, please call the Greenwich Arts Council office at 203-622-3998 or check the GAC website at www.greenwicharts.org.
The Greenwich Arts Council promotes the arts by nurturing artists and building audiences, bringing the arts to the community and the community to the arts.
