Photo Flash: First Look at TheatreWorks New Milford's THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS

Tomorrow, December 7, TheatreWorks New Milford will debut the hilarious musical tribute written in the spirit of "Forbidden Broadway," THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) with music by Eric Rockwell, lyrics by Jo Anne Bogart , and book by Rockwell and Bogart. Curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on this five-week run. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

In this comic satire of musical theatre genres, one story becomes five musicals. Poor June can't pay her rent and must face her evil landlord. How would Rodgers and Hammerstein envision the story? Perhaps in Kansas in August, with a Dream Ballet. Would Stephen Sondheim present the landlord as a tortured, artistic genius who slashes tenants' throats in revenge because they don't appreciate art? Jerry Herman's version may be a splashy star vehicle, AndrewLloyd Webber's a rock musical, and Kander and Ebb's set in a seedy Cabaret in Chicago. It's as complete, and as funny, as any musical tribute can get.

The cast features four of the area's finest actors: Tom Denihan (Woodbury), JoNathan Jacobson (Litchfield), and Jessica Smith and Priscilla Squiers (both Danbury).

Besides Couture, the show's production crew consists of lighting designers Scott Wyshynski and Richard Pettibone, sound and projection designer Tom Libonate, and stage management by Jill Pace and Kathy Bolster.

MUSICAL OF MUSICALS made its New York premiere on December 16, 2003 at the York Theatre at St. Peter's and was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical. The show enjoyed another Off-Broadway run in 2005 and debuted on London's West End in 2006.

THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) runs December 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 28, 29, 31 and Jan 4, 5. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on December 16. Tickets for all shows are $28 for reserved seating. On New Year's Eve, December 31, at 8:00 p.m. there will be one gala fundraising performance with hors d'oeuvres and an open bar of wine, beer, and soft drinks. Tickets for this event are $75.

On Thursday, December 6, senior citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket.

Reservations can be made online at WWW.THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

Photo Credit: Richard Pettibone

Jessica Smith, Tom Denihan, Priscilla Squiers, and JoNathan Jacobson

Jessica Smith, and Priscilla Squiers in the vignette "Corn!," a parody in the style of Rodgers and Hammerstein

Tom Denihan and Jessica Smith in the vignette "Corn!," a parody in the style of Rodgers and Hammerstein

The cast in the vignette "Corn!" a parody in the style of Rodgers and Hammerstein

JoNathan Jacobson, Jessica Smith, and Tom Denihan in the vignette "A Little Complex," a parody in the style of Stephen Sondheim

Priscilla Squiers, Jessica Smith, and Tom Denihan in the vignette "A Little Complex," a parody in the style of Stephen Sondheim

Prsicilla Squiers, Jessica Smith, Tom Denihan, JoNathan Jacobson in the vignette "Dear Abby," a parody in the style of Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!, Mame)