THE YORK THEATRE PRESENTS TWO DEVELOPMENTAL READINGS IN OCTOBER

NEW YORK, NY (October 6, 2026) — The York Theatre (Joseph Hayward, Producing Artistic Director, Wendy Hall, Managing Director, Stephanie Prugh, Director of New Works and Development) announces two upcoming developmental readings this October: Everyone Comes to Elaine’s, a new musical starring Mary Testa as legendary NYC restaurateur Elaine Kaufman, on a journey through love, betrayal, and eventual triumph, written by Asa Somers, and Invisible: A New Musical, a brand new sci-fi-comedy musical where H.G. Wells and John Hughes collide. By invitation only — industry inquiries: boxoffice@yorktheatre.org

EVERYONE COMES TO ELAINE’S

Book by Asa Somers (Duck Dynasty musical)
​Music and Lyrics by Robert and Steven Morris, and ​ Joe Shane
​Direction by Jeff Calhoun

October 8 at 3 PM, and October 9 at 1 PM

There was a time, not so long ago, when every A-lister in the country made pilgrimages to Manhattan's Upper East Side to tipple and talk until dawn. Because there used to be a singular, sensational saloon there called Elaine's.

Everyone Comes to Elaine’s resurrects this mythical place and its proprietress Elaine Kaufman -- herself quite simply a force of nature. Elaine ruled with an iron fist, smoked like a chimney, and cursed like a sailor.

The musical follows Elaine's journey through love, betrayal, and eventual triumph. When a mysterious paramour appears out of nowhere and sweeps Elaine off her feet, she spirals down a rabbit hole of self-doubt. Elaine ​ is forced to confront her own fears and vulnerabilities in an effort to reclaim her life, ultimately realizing that in trying to become someone worthy of being chosen, she'd forgotten she'd already built a life worth choosing.

The cast includes Todd Buonopane (Broadway: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Grease, Chicago), Tony Crane (Broadway: Between Riverside and Crazy, The Country House, Butley), Cooper Grodin (Off-Bway: Masquerade, Annie, Ragtime), Julie Halston (Broadway: Our Town, Tootsie, Anything Goes), Mel Johnson Jr (Broadway: The Lion King, Kiss Me, Kate), Amy Keum (Broadway: KPOP), Michael Kostroff (Broadway: Dog Day Afternoon, The Producers, Les Mis), Remy Laifer (Nat Tour: Fiddler on the Roof), Tess Marshall (Broadway: Titanique), Pascal Pastrana (Broadway: A Beautiful Noise, The Great Gatsby), Danny Sherman (Broadway: Kinky Boots, Desire Under the Elms, Cyrano De Bergerac), Mary Testa (Broadway: Oklahoma!, Wicked, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Xanadu, Chicago). Creative advisor is Tim Hotcher, music direction by Reagan Casteel, based on a book by A.E. Hotchner.

Invisible: A New Musical

Book is by David Hollingsworth
​Music and Lyrics are by David Orris
​Directed by Marc Kudisch
​Creative Produced by Amy Sapp

Thursday, October 15 at 3 pm and Friday, October 16 at Noon

Welcome to Springborough High, class of 1988! Here, atop the rigid high school hierarchy, the ludicrously popular Tiffany Madison and Tiffany Melrose reign supreme, along with rich uber-jock Chetwick Vandingwary. All the way at the bottom, two nerds, Griff Grabowski and Teddy Kemper, vie for the Tiffanies' attention, much to the chagrin of their goth friend Hemlock. When Griff and Kemper attempt to become popular using science, but accidentally turn Griff invisible instead, all seems lost—until the pair learn that being invisible may just have its advantages...

With an all-original score inspired by 80s rock and pop, Invisible is a brand new sci-fi-comedy musical where H.G. Wells and John Hughes collide. Uproarious, thrilling, and touching, it's a story about identity, power, and what it means to be truly seen.

The cast features Isa Antonetti (Broadway: Buena Vista Social Club), Giuseppe Bausilio (Broadway: Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Hamilton), Henry Beddoe (Only Hope), Brandon Cameron (Broadway: Hadestown), Jessie Davidson (Broadway: SIX), Jordan Goodsell (Off-Bway: Masquerade), Dan Hoy (Broadway: Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Harmony), Mya Rena Hunter (Nat Tour: Les Misérables), Marina Jansen (Broadway: How to Dance in Ohio), Dani Kucera (Nat Tour: Pretty Woman), Alex Raymond Ross (Hudson Valley Shakespeare: Les Mis, The Little Theatre on the Square: Hairspray, Forever Plaid), A.J. Shively (Broadway: Paradise Square, Bright Star, La Cage Aux Folles), Arif Silverman (Next Step Theater Festival: Ocean in a Teacup, Thirdwing: United Nations: The Border and the Coast). Déa Thatcher (Broadway: Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Tour: Fiddler on the Roof) serves as Music Director with Michael Herlihy (guitar), Randy Fox (drums), Magda Kress (Bass). Kylie Cottrell is stage manager, Jay David is sound supervisor.

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

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