Bob Stillman, Linda Balgord, Anika Larsen and Lucas Steele will lead the cast of Prospect Theater Company’s production of Myths and Hymns, Adam Guettel’s acclaimed song cycle about memory, loss and redemption. The production marks the New York premiere of stage and film director Elizabeth Lucas’ narrative version of Myths and Hymns, following its 1998 concert debut at The Public Theater under the title Saturn Returns.
The announcement was made today by Prospect Theater Company Producing Artistic Director Cara Reichel and Managing Director Melissa Huber.
With music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, additional lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, and new narrative and direction by Elizabeth Lucas, Myths and Hymns will be presented for a strictly limited engagement beginning January 31, 2012 and running through February 26 at the West End Theatre in the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew located at 263 West 86th Street.
As a daughter returns to move her ailing mother out of the family home, the two wrestle with the ghosts of their father and husband, brother and son, re-living and confronting their mythologized past. Lucas’ original concept brings to Guettel’s celebrated song cycle a character-driven context, illuminating the intricate relationships amongst a single family.
"Adam has written this extraordinary set of songs, both specific and open to myriad interpretation,” said Lucas. “As I explored writing a narrative to tie them together, clear characters emerged and started telling me a story. It isn't the story Adam started with, but a highly personal one, synthesized from the mythologies in my own life and family history. I am honored that Adam is trusting me to follow these characters where they lead."
The cast of Myths and Hymns features Bob Stillman (Grey Gardens, Dirty Blonde, Souvenir, Grand Hotel, Kiss of the Spider Woman; The Public Theater’s Saturn Returns), Linda Balgord (Gypsy starring Patti LuPone, La Cage Aux Folles, The Pirate Queen, Passion, Cats), Anika Larsen (Avenue Q, Xanadu, All Shook Up), Lucas Steele (The Threepenny Opera, The Kid), Ally Bonino, Matthew Farcher and Donell Foreman.
Wendy Seyb (The Pee-Wee Herman Show, Yeast Nation, The Toxic Avenger) choreographs the production. Katya Stanislavskaya (The Arden Theater’s Sunday in the Park with George) is the musical director. Musical supervision and revised orchestrations are by Robert Meffe (Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Little Women). Scenic design is by Ann Bartek (A Free Man of Color, Catch Me If You Can, Elf, Desire Under the Elms). Costume design is by Emily Morgan DeAngelis (The Judy Show, Through The Night). Lighting design is by Herrick Goldman (Falling For Eve, The Who’s Tommy 15th Anniversary Concert). Sound design is by Janie Bullard (We Live Here, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark). Kristine Ayers is the stage manager.
The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesdays at 7:30pm, Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm with the exception of Saturday, February 18 and Saturday, February 25 when performances will be held at 8:30pm.
