THE YORK THEATRE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE UPCOMING STAGED READINGS: FACE TO FACE, HOUSE ON FIRE, AND RASHOMON AS PART OF ITS ACCLAIMED DEVELOPMENTAL SERIES.
New York, NY (April 8, 2026) The York Theatre (Joseph Hayward, Producing Artistic Director; Wendy Hall, General Manager), in association with Jim Kierstead, is thrilled to announce three extraordinary staged readings this April, each a bold and distinctive new work that pushes the boundaries of musical theatre. Kicking off on April 8th and 9th with the uproarious workplace satire FACE TO FACE, followed by the timely environmental fairy tale HOUSE ON FIRE on April 16th and April 17th, and closing with the hauntingly poetic RASHOMON on April 26th and April 27th, this spring series showcases the York's enduring commitment to nurturing original voices and developing the musicals of tomorrow. Tickets are by invitation only. RSVP to boxoffice@yorktheatre.org.
FACE TO FACE
Dates: April 8 & 9, 2026
Book: Cameron Reese
Lyrics: Emily Drossell
Music: George Luton
Cast: Ry Albinus, Gabrielle Filloux, Abram Foster, Raphe Gilliam, Abigail Hart Goldman, Patty Irwin, Michael Leyte-Vidal, Celia Tedde
An original musical comedy of epic proportions, developed through a fellowship with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. How far would you go to avoid a meeting? When an overworked and undervalued employee turns down a request for a post-mortem, a chain reaction of epic proportions is set in motion, much to her chagrin. Navigating revolution, romance, and a whole lot of red tape, Face to Face is Les Mis meets The Office with the satirical bite of Avenue Q.
HOUSE ON FIRE
Dates: April 16 & 17, 2026
Book: Gretchen Cryer
Music & Lyrics: Gretchen Cryer & Gracie Hyland
Cast: Tyley Ross, Aurelia Williams, Guy LeMonnier, Gaelen Gilliland, Sophie Aknin, Gabriella Joy Rodriguez, Natasha Williams, Miles Lee, Valeria Acevez
HOUSE ON FIRE is a cautionary fairy tale. Thirteen-year-old Sophia is facing an early teenage crisis. She knows the planet is in trouble and that her handsome, charismatic father is a big part of the problem: he owns the biggest fossil fuel company in the whole world! So how is she going to save the planet without losing his love?
RASHOMON: THE MUSICAL
Dates: April 26 & 27, 2026
Music: Michiru Oshima,
Lyrics: Ron Spivak
Book: Josh Kanin and Ron Spivak
Based on the hit Broadway play by Fay and Michael Kanin
Cast: Marc delaCruz, Steven Eng, Brian José, Diane Phelan, Herman Sebek, Kevin Shiu, and Alice Kimyu
Japan. 1190 A.D. A samurai has been murdered and his wife brutally raped. Or were they?
Sheltering from a torrential rainstorm in a crumbling city gatehouse (a "Rashomon"), a disillusioned Buddhist Priest, a gentle Woodcutter, and a cynical old Wigmaker debate the truth behind the recent trial of a bandit accused of the crimes. The testimonies — by the Bandit, the Wife, the dead Husband's ghost, and a surprise witness — unfold in contradictory flashbacks, revealing wildly different versions of what had happened. The repeated retellings of the same incident (seen in conflicting flashbacks) contradict each other and blur our understanding. Songs recur from flashback to flashback, their lyrics and meanings shifting with each retelling, revealing how self-interest reshapes memory and truth. Who is telling the truth? What is truth?
The emotional and moral center of RASHOMON: THE MUSICAL is a Buddhist priest who — unable to come to terms with man’s seeming inability to distinguish truth from lies — has a crisis of faith in the innate goodness of humankind.
Rashomon: The Musical’s melodic and deceptively romantic score reinforces the subjective nature of both music and storytelling. The brilliant Japanese composer Michiru Oshima has written a deliberately eclectic score that bridges East and West, making the story a haunting and deeply human exploration of truth, self-deception, and redemption.
***
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 45 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 is the recipient of 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.” The York is currently producing at The Theatre at St. Jean’s at 76th Street and Lexington Avenue.
www.yorktheatre.org | www.facebook.com/yorktheatrecompany
# # #
