(ROCKLAND COUNTY, New York) September 21, 2022 — Penguin Rep Theatre concludes its 2022 season – the nonprofit professional theatre’s 43rd since its founding in 1979 — with the world premiere of NOW COMES THE FUN PART, a musical revue with lyrics by Mark Waldrop, music by Jeffrey Lodin, and book by James Hindman and Lynne Halliday, beginning Friday, September 30 and running through Sunday, October 23 in Stony Point, New York, Artistic Director Joe Brancato announced today.
Turning 50 may be tricky but … now comes the fun part! “Uplifting, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly touching,” says Mr. Brancato, “NOW COMES THE FUN PART celebrates in songs and scenes what happens after one reaches the milestone marked by the arrival of an AARP card in the mail.”
The show is directed by Mark Waldrop whose credits include Bette Midler’s DIVINE MISS MILLENIUM TOUR; BEA ARTHUR, JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS, which received a 2002 Tony Award nomination; and the Drama Desk Award-winning HOWARD CRABTREE’S WHEN PIGS FLY. He is also a prize-winning lyricist and writes the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.
Jeffrey Lodin (Composer, musical director, sound designer) has written the scores for THE PIN-UP GIRLS and QUARANTINING WITH THE CLAUSES and was musical director for PETE ‘N KEELY at Papermill Playhouse and the Off-Broadway production of A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK.
James Hindman (Co-book writer) is the author of POPCORN FALLS, directed by Tony Award winner Christian Borle, PETE ‘N KEELY (Outer Critics Award nomination, two Drama Desk nominations), and THE AUDIENCE (Drama Desk nomination). A Terrance McNally Award finalist, his plays have been developed and performed at The Vineyard Theatre, Second Stage, Long Wharf, Walnut Street, Goodspeed, Denver Theatre Center, New Jersey Rep and Papermill Playhouse.
The cast of NOW COMES THE FUN PART features Michael Di Liberto, Georgia Kate Haege, Mark Bradley Miller, and Debra Walton.
Mr. Di Liberto previously worked with Mr. Waldrop on THE PRODUCERS at the Olney Theatre, where he was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor, and on CUTS at the York Theatre. He has been seen on Broadway in WICKED and on tour in ANNIE, CINDERELLA and STRIKE UP THE BAND.
Ms. Haege’s career highlights include the North American National Tour of MAMMA MIA!, THE KING AND I, and THE WIZ, and as front woman for electro-pop act LIQUID DIET.
Mr. Miller’s recent credits include Robert Kincaid in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, Mr. Price in KINKY BOOTS, Sam in MAMMA MIA!, Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, and Baron Elberfeld in the Broadway national tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Associate Director of Broadway’s THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN, Ms. Walton recently
starred as Young Ella Fitzgerald opposite Freda Payne in ELLA! FIRST LADY OF SONG. She has performed roles from the Leading Player in PIPPIN to Minnie Fae in HELLO DOLLY!, and even played all nine characters in Daniel Beaty’s MR. JOY.
The creative team includes Christopher and Justin Swader (set design), Leon Dobsky (costume design), Deborah Constantine (lighting design), and Jeffrey Loin (musical direction and sound design). Michael Palmer is production stage manager and Jamil Chachi is stage manager.
Performances of NOW COMES THE FUN PART are scheduled Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (2 shows) at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
There is a specially discounted matinee scheduled at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 30. A post-performance discussion will follow the performance on Friday, October 7.
Before the 4 p.m. show on Saturday, October 8, there will be a complimentary tasting catered by Pasta Cucina Restaurant of Stony Point.
Tickets are priced at $39 (including facility fee and service charge). For tickets purchased online by September 30, there is an early ordering discount available. Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more and for young people (30 and under).
Performances take place at Penguin’s intimate, 108-seat theatre, located at 7 Crickettown Road. “The converted barn, circa 1880, has never been more inviting” (The New York Times). Says Executive Director Andrew M. Horn, “it’s theatre so close you can feel it, with comfy upholstered seats and no seat more than 30 feet from the stage.” The theatre is air conditioned, handicapped accessible, equipped with assistive listening devices, and has plenty of free parking.
During its closure due to COVID-19, Penguin made physical modifications to its venue to make the theatergoing experience safer and more comfortable. Air filtration was upgraded, air circulation modified to ensure increased exchange of inside and outside air, and high-intensity UVC light installed inside the ductwork to remove airborne and surface contaminants.
To order tickets or for further information, visit Penguin Rep’s website at www.penguinrep.org or call 845-786-2873.
NOW COMES THE FUN PART
September 30 – October 23
WORLD PREMIERE
LYRICS & DIRECTION BY MARK WALDROP
MUSIC BY JEFFREY LODIN
BOOK BY JAMES HINDMAN & LYNNE HALLIDAY
Turning 50 may be tricky but … now comes the fun part! Uplifting, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly touching, this new musical revue celebrates in songs and scenes what happens after one reaches the milestone marked by the arrival of an AARP card in the mail.
