NEW YORK, NY (May 28, 2026) — The York Theatre announces two upcoming developmental readings this June: The Ho- Ho- Ho-liday Show, a comedy revue of sketches and parody songs by award-winning playwright Alice Scovell and Ordinary Girls, a new play with music based on the true story of three badass teenage girls in the Dutch wartime fighting for humanity regardless of the cost. \u200b By invitation only — industry inquiries: boxoffice@yorktheatre.org
THE HO- HO- HO-LIDAY SHOW
\u200bBook and lyrics are by Alice Scovell
\u200bDirected by Owen Thompson
\u200bMonday, June 8 at 3 PM and 7 PM
\u200bNYC
Don your mittens, scarf and pom-pom hat to see The Ho- Ho- Ho-liday Show. Three talented actors will perform nine comedy sketches and ten parody songs; the Christmas season's old chestnuts will be roasted to a Friars-Club crisp. Hot chocolate will NOT be served.
The cast features Theatre World Award-winner Erin Davie* (Broadway: Diana, Side Show, Grey Gardens; \u200b Drama Desk nomination), Jennifer Sanchez* (Broadway: Real Women Have Curves, West Side Story, Sunday in the Park With George), and Tony-award nominee A.J. Shively* (Broadway: Paradise Square, Bright Star; Lortel Award winner, \u200b Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). Analise Levesque serves as Music Director.
Alice Scovell’s work has been presented by The Acting Company, the York Theatre, NYGASP, NY Classical Theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare, and The Theater at Monmouth. Her comedy Kindred Spirits will be published by Concord Theatricals. Thompson is the Artistic Director of Schoolhouse Theater in Westchester County and received the Outstanding Director award from the Connecticut Critics Circle for The Mikado at Ivoryton Playhouse.
Playwright Alice Scovell noted, "Christmas in June may seem strange, but we scheduled The Ho- Ho- Ho-liday Show knowing that summer's sweltering heat makes New Yorkers yearn for December's icy blast. Also, June was the York calendar's earliest opening.”
ORDINARY GIRLS
\u200bBook and lyrics are by Elin Hampton
\u200bDirected by Gabriel Barre
\u200bJune 11 at 3 PM and June 12 at 11 AM
\u200bNew York City
In 1939, three teenage girls — one as young as 14 — were recruited by the Dutch underground to fight the Nazi occupation. Ordinary Girls follows the sisters Truus and Freddie Oversteegen and their comrade, Hannie Schaft, as they risk everything for their country. The story is told through the memory of adult Truus, who became a renowned postwar artist and sculptor, and balances sisterly love, regret, and humor with the weight of wartime.
The cast includes two-time Tony Award nominee Alison Fraser* (Off Broadway Alliance Legend of Off-Broadway Award, 2023), Alyssa Marvin* (Appropriate and Grey House, Broadway; Run Amok, 2026 Sundance), Alex Prakken* (The Great Gatsby, Broadway), Billy Cohen* (Ragtime, Broadway), Erikka Makic* (original Broadway company of Once), Morgan Morse* (Southern Comfort, The Public), Olivia Castanho (Jack Nicholson Award for outstanding performance), and Jacqueline Emerson (The Hunger Games; High Potential, ABC; Good American Family, Hulu).
Elin Hampton's TV credits include Mad About You, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Rugrats; her play Casey 229 was published in The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2015. Barre's Broadway credits include Amazing Grace; Off-Broadway, he directed the original productions of The Wild Party (Andrew Lippa), Summer of '42, john & jen, and Almost, Maine. He has also directed internationally in China, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Director Gabriel Barre said of the project "The story of Ordinary Girls is anything but ordinary. Full of astounding facts about these real-life brave characters and at the same time full of surprising humor, it is sure to enlighten and enliven all."
* Member of Actors' Equity Association
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 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.” 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 76th Street and Lexington Avenue.
www.yorktheatre.org | www.facebook.com/yorktheatrecompany
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