Angels: Broadway-bound musical to have two staged readings at New World Stages

Angels The Musical, the new Broadway-bound musical about an Angel who discovers her place and purpose, will receive two staged readings on 16 Dec 2008 at New World Stages.

Written by the new Australian team of Ken Lai (book, music and lyrics) and Marcus Cheong (book and lyrics), the readings will feature Robert Cuccioli, Jessica Grov� and Nicholas Rodriguez in the leading roles. Direction is by Rich Fowler.

Angels cancelled its pre-Broadway engagement in Shreveport, LA, where it was to have played at the Strand Theater from 29 Aug - 13 Sep 2008, due to technical requirements.

Broadway dates and theater for the musical will be announced soon.

Angels tells the story of the ancient war between the Angels and Lucifer�s fallen minions. This timeless tale of good versus evil, hope versus despair�angels vs. demons�is told through the eyes of Sera, the Angel of Light. Though she is gifted with the power to control light, she aspires to a more heroic role. Her ambition is manipulated by Lucifer, which results in tragic consequences to the Angels and the humans they protect. Sera must find the courage and power to defeat her nemesis.

Angels will feature Robert Cuccioli, Jessica Grov� and Nicholas Rodriguez with Todd Buonopane, Kevin T. Collins, Kerri Jill Garbis, Trey Gillen, Alan H. Green, Brittney Lee Hamilton, Holly Heiser, Tim Hunter, Erica Jacob, Kolina Janneck, Melina Kalomas, Erin Kruse, Brian Mathis, Adam Monley, Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone, Ellie Mooney, Ron Nahass, Shane Rhoades, Caesar Samayoa, Rena Strober, Molly Tynes, Kevin Vortmann and Eric William Whitehead.

The musical will be directed by Richard Fowler and choreographed by Lynne Hockney, who are making their Broadway debuts.

The creative team features Skip Mercier (set & costumes), Lightswitch New York (lighting) and Bernard Fox (sound).

Angels was imagined by two University of Sydney students (Cheong and Lai) in 1998 (the two met some years earlier when they collaborated on their first musical) Cheong, then a 24-year-old architecture graduate, wrote the book and lyrics, and Lai, a budding aeronautical engineer, composed the music. They soon abandoned those fields of study to pursue their theatrical careers (their journey is the subject of an Australian public television network documentary currently being filmed). Since then, Angels has been revised, and received a 2006 workshop production at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Angels is produced by Marcus Cheong, Frank Monteleone, Dale Smith; Tamara Lovatt-Smith, producing associate; and Bob Blume, consulting producer.