Matt Doyle, Ann Harada, Tom Alan Robbins, Grace McLean, and Andrew Call in Vineyard Theatre’s Brooklynite. (© Carol Rosegg)
Nicolette Robinson as Astrolass . Photo by Carol Rosegg
The Vineyard’s world premiere of the original musical BROOKLYNITE is extending its limited engagement by one week due to popular demand, and will now run through Sunday, March 29. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, SPRING AWAKENING), BROOKLYNITE opened on Wednesday, February 25.
This limited engagement was originally scheduled to run through Sunday, March 22nd.
Mr. Mayer directs a company that features Andrew Call (FOUND, ROCK OF AGES), Gerard Canonico (SPRING AWAKENING), Max Chernin (BRIGHT STAR), Nick Choksi (INDIAN INK, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812), Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero (BULLETS OVER BROADWAY), Matt Doyle (WAR HORSE, THE BOOK OF MORMON), Carla Duren (110 IN THE SHADE), Ann Harada (AVENUE Q at The Vineyard and on Broadway, CINDERELLA), John-Michael Lyles (ANGELINA BALLERINA), Grace McLean (BEDBUGS, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812), Tom Alan Robbins (THE LION KING, SUNSET BOULEVARD), Nicolette Robinson (“The Affair” , “Hart of Dixie” ), and Remy Zaken (SPRING AWAKENING, THE ANTHEM).
Nick Cordero as Avenging Angelo, Gerard Canonico as Kid Comet, Grace McLean as Blue Nixie. Photo by Carol Rosegg
With a completely original book by Peter Lerman and Michael Mayer and music and lyrics by Peter Lerman (winner of the Jonathan Larson Award), BROOKLYNITE is choreographed by Steven Hoggett (THE LAST SHIP, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, ONCE) and directed by Michael Mayer. BROOKLYNITE is inspired by the real Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company located in Park Slope and features characters that were created especially for the musical by Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman.
The Superheroes (l to r): Nick Cordero as Avenging Angelo, Grace McLean as Blue Nixie, Max Chernin as Captain Clear, Nicolette Robinson as Astrolass, Andrew Call as El Fuego, Gerard Canonico as Kid Comet. Photo by Carol Rosegg
BROOKLYNITE features scenic design by Donyale Werle, costume design by Andrea Lauer, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Kai Harada, video and projection design by Andrew Lazarow, with Kimberly Grigsby serving as musical director.
Nicolette Robinson as Astrolass and Matt Doyle as Trey Swieskowski. Photo by Carol Rosegg
In BROOKLYNITE, Trey Swieskowski is an idealistic hardware store clerk who dreams of becoming a superhero. Astrolass, Brooklyn’s most celebrated superhero, is determined to throw in the cape and live like a normal Brooklynite. When they meet they hatch a plan that will change their lives forever. But can they save Brooklyn when it suddenly teeters on the brink of disaster?
Nick Cordero as Avenging Angelo with the Labbies: Remy Zaken as Mallory, Nick Choksi as Sunil, and Max Chernin as Marcus. Photo by Carol Rosegg
What the critics are saying.
“‘BROOKLYNITE’ IS A GOOFILY ENDEARING, SLYLY FUNNY NEW MUSICAL!
Peter Lerman’s songs are infectious. The performers embrace their characters with gusto. Nicolette Robinson sparkles! Matt Doyle acts with winning conviction.”
– Charles Isherwood, The New York Times
“BROOKLYNITE’ IS AN IRRESISTIBLE NEW MUSICAL! IT HAS GIDDINESS, CLEVERNESS, HEART AND SLY HUMOR.
It’s hard not to cheer the debut of Robinson, who has enough vocal skill, crime-kicking beauty and acting grace to make your knees weak.”
– Mark Kennedy, Associated Press
“‘BROOKLYNITE’ FLEXES A STRONG COMIC MUSCLE! GIDDY, WITH A RAMBUCTIOUS, PUPPYLIKE ENERGY!”
– Elisabeth Vicentelli, New York Post
“DELIGHTFUL!
The excellent ensemble makes this fantasy Brooklyn an enjoyable escape on a wintry Manhattan day.”
– Miriam Felton-Dansky, The Village Voice
“HIGHLY AMUSING!
The writing is comedically sure. Lerman’s score sounds wholly original and at times majestic.”
– Matthew Murray, Talkin’ Broadway
“Cordero is delightful, as is the veteran Ann Harada. Doyle is sweet and disarming, and Robinson is fantastic.”
– Alexis Soloski, The Guardian
Nick Cordero as Avenging Angelo and Nicolette Robinson as Astrolass. Photo by Carol Rosegg
“The score by Peter Lerman is bright and bouncy.”
– Joe Dziemianowicz, New York Daily News
Nick Cordero as Avenging Angelo with the Labbies: Max Chernin as Marcus, Carla Duren as Paula, Remy Zaken as Mallory, John-Michael Lyles as Herbert, and Nick Choksi as Sunil. Photo by Carol Rosegg
Dedicated to the creation and production of daring new plays and musicals, The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works, including Nicky Silver’s THE LYONS; Marx, Lopez and Whitty’s Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q; Kander and Ebb’s THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; Bell and Bowen’s [title of show]; Paula Vogel’s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (1998 Pulitzer Prize); Edward Albee’s THREE TALL WOMEN (1994 Pulitzer Prize); TarellAlvin McCraney’s WIG OUT!; Jenny Schwartz’ GOD’S EAR, Will Eno’s MIDDLETOWN, and many more. The Vineyard’s productions have been honored with two Pulitzer Prizes, three Tony Awards, and numerous Drama Desk, OBIES, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards.
Nick Cordero, Ann Harada, Garth Kravits and Andrew Call after a performance of Brooklynite at The Vineyard Theatre in New York on Mar 5, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
The Vineyard Theatre’s leadership includes Douglas Aibel (Artistic Director), Sarah Stern (Artistic Director), and Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell (Executive Producer).
For more information, please visit www.vineyardtheatre.org.
Nicolette Robinson, Max Chernin, Ann Harada and John-Michael Lyles after a performance of Brooklynite at The Vineyard Theatre in New York on Mar 5, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
Ann Harada, Kevin McCollum and Lia Chang after a performance of Brooklynite at The Vineyard Theatre in New York on Mar 5, 2015. Photo byGK
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Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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