Nancy Anderson, Paul Binotto & More Set for York Theatre Company's IONIONESCOPADE; Full Cast Announced

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan. - Producing Artistic Director) today announced complete casting for their upcoming mainstage production of Ionescopade, "A Musical Vaudeville," which begins rehearsals today, including Nancy Anderson (Kiss Me Kate, PBS), who makes her return to the York's stage. The full cast also includes Paul Binotto (Enter Laughing, The Musical), Samuel Cohen (Oh, Calcutta!), David Edwards (The Fantasticks), Leo Ash Evens (West Side Story, London), Susan J. Jacks (Forbidden Broadway), and Tina Stafford (I Married Wyatt Earp).Ionescopade will begin performances January 23, 2012, with an official opening night set for February 2 at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's on 54^th St, just east of Lexington Avenue.

Ionescopade, taken from the works of Eugene Ionesco, features music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden and was originally conceived by Robert Allan Ackerman. Ionescopade will be directed and choreographed by Bill Castellino, with music direction by Christopher McGovern, scenic design by James Morgan, costume design by Nicole Wee, and lighting design by Mary Jo Dondlinger. Casting is by Carol Hanzel.

Marking their year-long "Celebration of Off-Broadway," York presents a new look at this entertainment based on the works of the prolific and influential absurdist playwright Eugene Ionesco, famous for his plays The Bald Soprano, Rhinoceros, The Chairs and Exit the King (which recently enjoyed a hit revival on Broadway). Plays, playlets, and poetry by this Master of the Absurd transport us into a zany musical vaudeville, where humor is the antidote to the world's realities. Ionescopade, a musical vaudeville, premiered Off-Broadway in 1974, directed by Mr. Ackerman, and ran for almost a year at various theatres in New York City. It subsequently ran for over a year in Los Angeles directed by Mr. Castellino and has been seen around the world in various productions. In 1994 The York produced a reading featuring Ruby Dee and Barbara Feldon; the following year The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. presented a revival starring Lilianne Montevecchi and Ron Holgate, which was also directed by Mr. Castellino. Critics referred to the original production as "one hell of an entertainment" that "snaps, crackles and spins across the stage like a Toulouse-Lautrec version of Hellzapoppin."

Tickets to Ionescopade are $67.50 and are available online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's (enter on 54^th Street, just East of Lexington), Monday through Friday (12-6 PM), and are currently on sale through February 26.