NYCA GOES OFF-BROADWAY

with the musical ‘FOR PETE’S SAKE!’

in a US Premiere at the Beckett Theatre, Theatre Row 42^nd Street, New York City

After a successful run at the internationally renown Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the New York Conservatory for the Arts showcased their new musical ‘FOR PETE’S SAKE!’ in US Premier performances Off-Broadway in New York City the week of October 13, 2003. The Musical ‘For Pete’s Sake!’ - the newest work by the creative team of Conti, Farrell & Stein - is set in contemporary New York City and is inspired by Ibsen’s Peer Gynt.  A teenaged boy’s quest for love, power, fame and fortune takes Peter for a ride into the shadowy depths of moral indecision - accompanied by his desires who take physical form.

The inspiring book, written by Director Choreographer Randy Conti, burns with a passion.  The setting of contemporary New York City raises the turmoil of young Peter’s life to a level of understanding. The score by Jeffrey Stein is fresh and passionate.  The style of opening numbers race with multiple meters magnifying Peter’s confused state - eventually passing through some cosmic musical prism emerging with the steady beats of a heart that send the listener into a world of simplistic beauty.  Wedded to lyrics by Douglas Farrell, the poetry of Peter’s life unfolds in the musical setting reflecting each color and emotion that any life could hold.  The choreography of Mr. Conti ranging from a vibrant Swing Dance to a Pop-Country rouser, runs an exciting gamut of Broadway styles.

The All-Teenage Cast of ‘FOR PETE’S SAKE!’ lists Music Theatre Students of the New York Conservatory for the Arts whose forerunners have presented their song and dance performances throughout the US and in Europe.  The Troupe’s past performances have been enthusiastically received in New York, at the International Expo in Seville Spain, throughout Italy, Disney Paris, at the Presidential Park at the White House, aboard Carnival Cruise Line, at Disney Land California, and Disney World Florida where they were invited to return as part of Disney’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.  The New York Conservatory for the Arts Performance Company has been built on the traditions of fine education in the Arts, commitment to excellence, and high energy performance.

The international premiere was reviewed by the press at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as: "The performance is full of good musical numbers, clever dance routines, nice bright costumes and a talented cast."  Delighted audience members at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival added to the reviews with "A must see!" and "Brilliant.’ Just as all that happens during the passage of the musical is ‘for the sake of’ Peter - who in the end would never wish to be passed over (however wild the ride may have been,) - so too, would anyone attending this premiere not wish to pass over the chance to be inspired by a musical that they will always remember.

‘For Pete’s Sake!" is 90 minutes in length and is presented without an intermission.

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Book by Randy Conti         Lyrics by Douglas Farrell         Music by Jeffrey Stein

Costume Design by Connie Conti & Diane Stein     Set Design by Diane Godfrey

Projections by Matthew Stein         Light Design by Dan Hansell

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WHO’S WHO IN THE ORIGINAL CAST

In Alphabetical Order:

ARIEL AZOFF (Tina)     ASHLEE BAKEY (Willie)      RON CARLOS (Peter)      DANNY CARROLL (Shadow of Power)

RYAN CRIMMINS (John)      NOAH DE BIASE (Swing)      TATYANA DE MUNS (Shadow of Love)

MAX EDMANDS (Shadow of Fortune)      JADE ELKIND (Nikki)      EMILY GILDEA (Shadow of Fame)

HILARY GOLDFARB (Celeste)      JAIME GRUBER (Claire)     AMY JOSCELYN (Sophia)      TOMMY JOSCELYN (TJ)

ALIX JOSEFSKI (Swing)      ASHLEY KILBRIDE (Sarah)     CHENIER LEWIS (Lewis)       KAYLA MASON (Lisa)

LINDSAY MICHAELS (Pam)      DOV RUBENSTEIN (Jack)      REBEKAH RUBENSTEIN (Lydia)

FRANK SANSONE (Eric)      MADDIE SMITH-SPANIER (Cara)      JOANNA STEIN (Kelly)

ELISE TARANTINA (Robin)      KAELA TEILHABER (Casey)      CHRYSTAL VERDICHIZZI (Fran)

SEAN WHITEFORD (Swing)