Casting announcement for The York Theatre's KILGALLEN

Book & Music by CHUCK STRAND

Lyrics by CHUCK STRAND & EMILY DROSSELL

Additional Music by GEORGE PETERSEN

Choreography by JENNIFER COPAKEN

Directed by TERRY BERLINER

LIMITED OFF-BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT
​NOVEMBER 28 THROUGH DECEMBER 27, 2026
​OPENING NIGHT IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 AT 7 P.M.

THE THEATRE AT SAINT JEAN'S, 150 EAST 76TH STREET

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT YORKTHEATRE.ORG

The York Theatre (Joseph Hayward, Producing Artistic Director, Wendy Hall, Managing Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for the world premiere of KILGALLEN, a musical mystery with book and music by Tony-nominee Chuck Strand, lyrics by Chuck Strand and Emily Drossell, additional music by George Petersen, choreography by Jennifer Copaken, music directed by Eric Svejcar, and directed by Terry Berliner. KILGALLEN begins previews Saturday, November 28 at The Theatre at Saint Jean's (150 East 76th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue) and plays a limited engagement through Sunday, December 27. Opening night is Thursday, December 3 at 7 p.m.

KILGALLEN is a musical mystery about Dorothy Kilgallen, one of America's most influential journalists. Brilliant, relentless, and unapologetically ambitious, Kilgallen moved among the celebrities, politicians, and power brokers who defined her era. When President Kennedy was assassinated, she became convinced that the truth was being buried, and set out to prove it. Even as she realized her life was in danger, she forged ahead. Dorothy died under suspicious circumstances on November 7, 1965. The mystery remains unsolved today.

The production stars Donna Vivino (Les Misérables, Wicked, Hell’s Kitchen) as Dorothy Kilgallen, Tanner Callicutt (Parade, The Great Gatsby) as JFK, Max Cervantes (Nat’l Tour: Pretty Woman, On Your Feet) as Sergio, Dawn Cantwell (Wicked, 1776) as Reporter, Miss Francis, Marcia and Marilyn Monroe, Lana Gordon (Hadestown, Chicago) as Florence Pritchett, Rory Max Kaplan (A Bronx Tale, Jersey Boys) as Announcer, Pinza and Walter Cronkite, Jim Newman (Mamma Mia) as Dick, Dom Scott (Rock of Ages, Million Dollar Quartet) as Ron Pataky, Nathaniel Stampley (The Color Purple, The Lion King) as Herb and others, and Libby Winters (Almost Famous, American Idiot) in the ensemble and as Dorothy’s understudy, ​ Valentina Rodriguez (Off Broadway debut) as Female Understudy, Matthew Schatz (Nat’l Tour: Jersey Boys) as Male Understudy.

The production features scenic design by Daniel Zimmerman, costume design by Teresa Snider-Stein, and lighting design by Paul Miller. Peter Brucker is the sound designer, Thomas Jenkeleit is the props supervisor, Caitlin Molloy is the wig designer, and Frank Lombardi is the stage manager. Casting by Holly Buzcak. David Callahan is production manager, Billy Cowles is company manager, Valentina Zazelli is assistant director, Megan Smith is dramaturg. ​ Marketing by Innoruptiv, publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.

At The York Theatre, we believe everyone deserves the chance to experience live theatre. Our Pay-What-You-Can First Preview lets you pick the ticket price that fits your budget, starting at $5. Every ticket gets the same great seat and the same performance.

Running Time: 95 minutes (no intermission)

Website: https://www.yorktheatre.org/kilgallen

Media Kit with Photos

BIOGRAPHIES

Terry Berliner (Director) is a New York City-based theatre maker and theatrical event specialist. Her work has been seen in NYC venues and across the country, on and Off Broadway, and in regional theatres and universities. Recent select work includes SentiLink's on:fraud Fraud Intelligence Summit at The Conrad, Downtown with keynote speakers and panel discussions lead by Naftali Harris, Kathleen Waid, Dr. David Maimon, Erich Kron and many more; a 3D Exhibit event at The Clubhouse at The Spiral with pianist Seth Farber and speaker Scott Galloway; a workshop of the new musical Kilgallen (York Theatre Company); the American Heart Association's 2026 Red Dress Collection Concert with Amy Grant, Nicole Scherzinger and host Laura Linney (The Appel Room); Macbeth (Don Buchwald Theater); The Night of the Iguana with Daphne Rubin-Vega, Lea DeLaria, Tim Daly and Austin Pendleton (Signature Theatre); The Pianist with Daniel Donskoy (George Street Playhouse); and On Cedar Street with Stephen Bogardus and Lauren Ward (Berkshire Theatre Group). Terry is currently developing Deborah Rennard's new play More with Eris Entertainment, a new musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Steven Mackenroth, Ken Cerniglia and James Abbott with MND Productions and Jeff Lee Productions, and the new musical Suddenly Supernatural with Joel Adlen and Leonard Moors. She has written for The SDC Journal, Theatre History Studies and Theatre Bay Area. She has also written and directed award shows and theatrical productions for Theatre Development Fund (TDF), Vanguard, Intel, Mastercard and the PGA. She is a member of SDC Society, the Dramatists Guild, and a core faculty member at Peridance Center in NYC. ​

EMILY DROSSELL (lyrics) ​ is an award-winning lyricist and bookwriter, recognized by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts as an Across a Crowded Room Fellow, TRW Production as an inaugural member of their musical theatre writers collective, and The York Theatre as a NEO (New, Emerging, Outstanding) Artist. Her works have been produced throughout the city, including Lincoln Center (Face to Face; Helen & Cassandra), The York Theatre (More Than This World; Alice; The Northern Skies), The Tank NYC (Pre-Scripted), The Paradise Factory (Miss March), and Mustard Lane (Truth, Dare, or Lesbian). In addition to her work as a librettist, she is also an acclaimed dramaturg and script consultant, having worked at New World Stages, Pioneer Theatre Company, and Theatre Dance Vietnam. She is a proud member of the BMI Musical Theatre Writing Workshop, Maestra Music, and Ring of Keys. Emily is also an alum of the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, Vassar College, and the Berlin Opera Academy. As a queer, gender expansive writer, Emily’s interests lie at the intersection of subversion and inclusivity, and she strives to add femme forward fantasies, farces, and fictions to the musical theatre canon. She is also a contributing writer for The Broadway Beat, a satire account with over 39K followers on Instagram. You can learn more at emilydrossell.com or on Instagram @emily_drossell.

GEORGE PETERSEN (Additional Music) is an audio producer and musician who has written incidental and thematic music for NBC Sports, ESPN, History Films, Inc., and AC Comics. He was arranger and musical director for the 2016 Tony Orlando & Dawn Reunion Tour and its 2018 Christmas Reunion Tour.

CHUCK STRAND (Book, Music, and Lyrics) earned four Tony Award and five Drama Desk Award nominations for the music and lyrics of the Broadway rock opera The Lieutenant, and wrote the music and lyrics for the Off-Broadway production A Naughty Knight.

THE YORK THEATRE, “Where Musicals Come to Life,” is the only theatre in New York City—and one of very few in the world—dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving notable shows from the past. For over five decades, York’s intimate, imaginative approach to producing both original and classic musicals has earned critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Since 1997, The York has focused on new musicals in its Mainstage Series—most of them world, American, or New York premieres—by some of the field’s most esteemed creators and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 47 cast recordings from York Theatre productions are now available, including its acclaimed revival of CLOSER THAN EVER (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival). Commercial transfers of such York premieres as THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!), SOUVENIR (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and JOLSON & COMPANY, and revivals of PACIFIC OVERTURES and SWEENEY TODD (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of The York and its programs.

The York has received an Emmy Nomination, a special Drama Desk Award for “Developing and Producing New Musicals,” and a special Outer Critics Circle Award for “50 Years of Producing New and Classic Musicals.” Most recently, Stephanie Jae Park received a Lortel Nomination for her performance in The York’s Monte Cristo. The York is currently producing at The Theatre at St. Jean’s at 76^th Street and Lexington Avenue.

www.yorktheatre.org | www.facebook.com/yorktheatrecompany

# ​ ​ ​ ​ # ​ ​ ​ ​ #