Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse will host a staged reading of GENIUS: A New Musical Comedy May 19. Based on a novel by Auntie Mame writer Patrick Dennis, the work features music and lyrics by Ilene Reid, who also co-wrote the book with the reading's director, Michael Heitzman. The musical also features incidental lyrics with Spanish translations by Jaime Lozano.
Set to star in the reading are Douglas Sills, Kevin Zak, Kara Lindsay, Beth Malone, Ashley Brown, Eddie Korbich, Francisca Muñoz, Ryah Nixon, Phillip Taratula, Jacob Gutierrez, Rob Colletti, Debra Cardona, Elíseo Román, Austin Colby, and Lara Hayhurst.
Andrea Grody is music directing, with orchestrations and arrangements by Steven Bishop. Ruth E. Kramer is stage manager, and Chris Gunn will read stage directions.
The musical follows Leander Starr, an Orson Welles-like Hollywood director who flees tax bills and creditors to Mexico City.
Those interested in attending should email [email protected].