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“This is NOT A Drill” New Musical to Hold Private Industry Reading in NYC on Theatre Row
“This is NOT A Drill” New Musical to Hold Industry Reading in New York City
BY INVITATION ONLY event to be held on Theatre Row
BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS
After numerous workshops and development, “This is NOT A Drill,” a new musical by Holly Doubet, is set to hold an exclusive by-invitation-only industry reading in New York City this March on Theatre Row.
This poignant work, inspired by a true event, has already garnered significant attention, including the prestigious 2021 Donald Fowler Theatre Arts Memorial Grant.
Following its acclaimed premiere in Dallas in 2021, “This is NOT A Drill” is taking the next step with this industry reading. The musical explores the lives of diverse characters who experience shock and panic upon receiving an emergency alert: “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”
Forced to confront their own mortality, they discover what truly matters. The show promises a suspenseful, yet warmhearted and funny journey, exploring love, relationships, and human nature under unimaginable circumstances. Doubet’s score is filled with undeniable emotion and soaring melodies.
The event will be the end of March on Theatre Row. Industry can contact Jay Michaels for further details.
“This is NOT A Drill” is based on a true event experienced by its conceptor, Holly Doubet. The musical follows the intertwined stories of individuals grappling with the reality of a potential missile threat. It’s a compelling exploration of human connection and the choices we make when faced with the unthinkable.
The production boasts an impressive team of talent:
- Director: Luis Salgado
- Grammy-Winning Musical Director: Paul Bogaev
- Grammy-Winning Guitarist: Jim “Kimo” West
- Broadway “Hamilton” Lead: Marc delaCruz
- Consulting Producer: Jack Lane
- Casting: Holly Buczek, Scott Wojcik – Wojcik Casting Team
- General Management: Evan Bernadin Productions/Hillel Friedman
- Attorney: Thomas Distler
Holly Doubet is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London and holds a double major in classical piano and voice from a California university. Her diverse musical background spans from studio singing and songwriting to leading her own band and working as a backup singer in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Doubet also served as a songwriter for the beloved children’s television show “Barney and Friends” and has achieved commercial success in the pop music world, including a CableAce Award nomination. “This is NOT A Drill” marks her exciting foray into musical theater.
Moving Figures, Moving Hearts, … Jim Catapano was also moved
Two Shining Examples of Modern Dance from Alessandra Corona Performing Works
One of the bright lights of the New York City artistic scene in 2024 was showcased at the Theater at St. Jean on the Upper East Side in the Spring. Fervida and Status Quo join forces to depict where we are as people in a wounded, conflicted post-pandemic society, and use the ecstatic beauty of modern dance to express the emotions we often find so hard to convey through mere words.
In a turbulent time where we often struggle to find intimate connection, Fervida elegantly expresses this dilemma through movement. On a stark stage, performers clad in hues of black and gray reach for each other, forming a bond through movement, while others stand symbolically with their backs to the audience. Some of the music recalls “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues, which is a fitting complement to the moody blue stage lighting. The music shifts to an elegiac Italian ballad as just two performers grace the stage, their bodies intertwining in a way that many people can sadly only dream of.
Status Quo interprets the necessity of evolution and adaptation in an ever-changing and challenging world. It begins to the howling sounds of nature, with a single performer on stage. They are joined by others, making full use of the space with fluid movements as intense wind instruments abound. The group of eight becomes just two; a third rejoins but dances alone as the other two pair bond. Finally, there is only one, moving in solitude as the music fades and is replaced by the resonant sound of trickling waters. A distant voice intones, “As we get bigger and bigger, the distance between ourselves and that other outside world becomes smaller and smaller, and this world that we are inside which seemed so huge in the beginning and so infinitely welcoming, has become very uncomfortable.” As she speaks, two dancers in flesh-colored attire move slowly as mournful piano music fades in, amidst a floor strewn with what appears to be fallen leaves. The others join them on stage, holding their hands in front of their eyes in a depiction of sadness as they try to shut out the ever-increasing harshness of the world. The entire ensemble re-emerges in flowing black skirts, symbolically accepting the changing nature of their environment, and deftly performing complex movements in unison as the soundtrack suggests a sense of peace and acceptance.
The coupling of these two pieces perfectly depicts the journey of the human spirit and the challenges people face from the world—and from each other—in an uncertain age, and both do so with a poignancy and beauty that makes the journey easier to bear.
The performers are Alessandra Corona, Maria Vittoria Villa, William Valles, Halle Augenstein, Lucia Flexer-Marshall, Nicolas Fiery, Juan Viveros, Madelyn Wansong, and
Madeline Burr. Fervida is choreographed by Alessandra Corona
in collaboration with the Company; Status Quo is choreographed by Simon Kuban. The music is by Jocelyn Pook, Max Richter, Ran Bagno, and Ólafur Arnalds. Original music by Thomas Lentakis, Olivia Sellerio, Franca Masu.
Charles Evered’s CLASS directed and starring Ben Atkinson with Eliza Banaszak comes to New York
GOTO GOTO Studio in association with Jay Michaels Global Communications llc bring to New York an industry presentation of the regional cast of Charles Evered’s CLASS directed and starring Ben Atkinson with Eliza Banaszak to Open Jar Studios, 1601 Broadway, New York City, on Wednesday, April 9 @ 1:30 and 5:00 p.m.
CLASS is in session: A mysterious young woman shows up in the studio of a prominent – yet jaded – acting teacher in NYC. Each armed with an agenda and an ego. What started as a battle of wills evolved into a unique and deeply moving relationship made up of love and respect. Surprise twists are presented with ingenious subtlety and razor sharp wit.
“Alluring … it is very clear that Mr Evered, a bi-coastal film director and playwright, knows a good deal about celebrity … Elliot is a fabulous character.” —The New York Times
“A lovely piece of theatre … a flawless experience that makes you realize just how much value theatre has in our lives … Evered’s CLASS truly is a class act … thoroughly absorbing entertainment.” —Broadway World
“Wonderful … Evered’s dialogue is sharp, witty, extremely funny and poignant … this is the show to see. Don’t miss it.” —LA Examiner
“Plenty of laughter and more. Expect to be surprised. Expect to be moved. What more can one ask for from an evening of theater?”—StagesceneLA.com
“Humorous and touching …” —OnStageLosAngeles.com
“A riveting emotional journey …” —EntertainmentToday.net
“Charles Evered has created a character in Elliot who I would eagerly follow through a 10 part series.” —NoHoArtsDistrict.com
“Masterful … superbly written.”—Tolucan Times
LEARN MORE HERE
Ben Atkinson could not be prouder to bring Class to the city where the play is set, and to return to the role of Elliot. Ben has performed on both coasts, with credits including Diana of Dobson’s and As You Like It with the Antaeus Theatre Company; the world premieres of Resolving Hedda at The Victory Theatre Center and An Actor’s Carol (also by Class’s playwright, Charles Evered) at the Hi-Desert Playhouse; and also worked alongside Class co-star Eliza Banaszak in Love and Information at Live Arts in Charlottesville. He is the founder and director of the Queen Charlotte’s Villeins Shakespeare troupe in Charlottesville. Film credits include a number of short films and online series, as well as starring in the feature film, Ripple (2015) directed by Christian Everhard. When not on stage, Ben also produces video content for various platforms and organizations with his company GOTO GOTO Studio.
Eliza Banaszak is thrilled to revisit Class: A Play as Sarah. A student living in Charlottesville, Virginia, Eliza has appeared in numerous productions, including Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Four County Players, Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods with Live Arts Theater, and Mya in You Don’t Know Jackshit About the Mothman at Live Arts Theater. In addition to acting, Eliza has directed Godspell at Albemarle High School, and The Rocky Horror Show at Piedmont Virginia Community College. They are particularly passionate about yoga, improvisation, and disability advocacy. When not on stage, Eliza enjoys working as a Party Princess with Character Connections, a character entertainment company in their hometown.
Arts Independent 