Caligula - New musical by Eric Svejcar will have two readings in July

Rich Affannato in association with Meri Krassner will present a special invitational reading of the new musical, Caligula, with book, music & lyrics by Eric Svejcar, for two performances on 13 & 14 Jul 2009 at New World Stages.

Under the direction of Chris Presley, the cast features Euan Morton (Taboo) in the title role, with Autumn Hurlbert (MTV's Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods), Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys, Aida) and Anastasia Barzee (White Christmas, Urinetown).

Caligula is placed in an ancient rock-and-roll theatre somewhere between the years 41 and 1973 (or perhaps both simultaneously). This particular ancient theatre just happens to somehow have electricity, a bitchin' sound system, a light show, a rock band, and costumes more in the world of Ziggy Stardust than Julius Caesar. History's most notorious tyrant takes the audience on a musical journey of murder, sensuality, heartbreak, world domination, immortality, and absurdly unmitigated ego.

Also featured in the cast of Caligula are Nehal Joshi, David Edwards, Tiffani Barbour, Darrel Blackburn, Christina DeCicco, Christy Faber, Lucia Giannetta, Brian Golub, Kyle Harris, Todd Alan Johnson, Andrew Kober, John Eric Parker, Steve Routman, Sheri Sanders, Molly Sorohan and Mathenee Treco. The Musical Director for Caligula is David Andrews Rogers.

Caligula is aiming for a Broadway production, possibly in 2010, though there has been no confirmation of this.

Eric Svejcar (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) is the creator of the musical Caligula, winner of the Audience Award at the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival and a finalist for the 2003 Richard Rodgers Award; composer/lyricist of 'The Murder of Isaac '(CenterStage, Baltimore); screenwriter/composer of the musical short film 'Didn't This Used To Be Fun;' and a contributing songwriter for 'White Noise' (NYMF, special citation for Outstanding Original Theatrical Score). He arranged, conducted, and performed in the revival of 'Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris' at the Zipper Theatre, and co-produced the production's cast album for Sh-K-Boom records. He made his Broadway debut conducting the Roundabout/Deaf West revival of 'Big River' and currently plays in the orchestra of 'The Little Mermaid' several times a month.

Chris Presley (Director) began his career in Texas as the Producing Artistic Director of Deep Ellum Opera Theatre and Executive Director of The Classics � Theatre & Art for Children. Upon movinng to New York, he was the SSDC Observer to Michael Mayer on the Tony-winning revival of 'A View From the Bridge,' later traveling to London to work on 'Miss Saigon' and returning to assist Carlin Glynn and Ed Sherrin on Broadway.