Cast set for the World Premiere of BLOODTIES

A Rock Musical Journey to God Knows Where

Written by Ned Massey and Directed by Scott C. Embler

Presented at the New York Musical Theatre Festival

September 28 – October 6

TBG Theatre, 312 W. 36th St., New York, NY 10018

New York: The Somerled Charitable Foundation and Wendy Macdonald are proud to announce the cast of the upcoming NYMF production of Ned Massey’s Bloodties. In addition to the shows creator Ned Massey , other cast include Christopher Kale Jones (National Tour Jersey Boys), George McDaniel (Broadway’s Big River), Nancy Ringham Secrets Of A Soccer Mom, Broadway’s Follies) and Katie Thompson (Giant). Christopher Sutton (National Tour of Spamalot) will understudy Mr. Massey. Performances will take place from September 28th through October 6th at TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street.) Official Opening is set for September 29th. BLOODTIES is An Official Selection of the 2010 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Ned Massey was tapped to be the next big rock star, that early promise went largely unfulfilled. With raw honesty and dark wit, a musician explores destiny, faith, forgiveness…and the ties that bind.

Singer/songwriter Ned Massey’s career began right out of college when he was discovered by legendary talent scout John Hammond. Described by Hammond as “the finest talent since Dylan and Springsteen,” Massey was recording his debut album when Hammond suffered a stroke from which he never recovered. Since then, Ned has shared the bill in venues from LA to NYC with acts such as Shawn Colvin, Susanne Vega, Wilco, The Neville Brothers, The Smithereens, and many others. But he never fully achieved the fame or fortune forseen by Hammond.

Creative team includes: Shoko Kambara (Scenic Design), Paul Miller (Lighting Design), Jennifer Ganske (Costume Design), Christopher Cronin and Carl Casella (Sound Design), Kevin Frech (Projections Design), Michael Morris (Orchestrations and Arrangements). Casting by Pat McCorkle (McCorkle Casting, Ltd.) with Carter Niles the Casting Associate.

BLOODTIES

Written by Ned Massey and Directed by Scott C. Embler

TBG Theatre is located at 312 W. 36th St., New York, NY 10018

Tues 9/28 8pm

Wed 9/29 1pm

Sat 10/2 5pm

Sat 10/2 9pm

Sun 10/3 1pm

Wed 10/6 8pm

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.nymf.org or by calling (212) 352-3101.

For more information about the festival please visit www.NYMF.org.

or visit www.BloodtiesTheMusical.com

Mr. Massey, Mr. Embler and other members of the creative team are available for interviews.

For press seats or interviews contact:

Springer Associates PR at 212 354 4660 / [email protected]

Who’s Who

NED MASSEY is an actor, performer, film-maker and award-winning songwriter. His first major recognition came as the discovery of John Hammond, the legendary Columbia Records talent scout who discovered and signed artists such as Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Aretha Franklin, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Hammond, in articles in the L.A. Times, Wall St. Journal and on the CBS Morning News, proclaimed Ned “the greatest talent since Dylan and Springsteen.” Unfortunately, Ned’s debut album for Epic Records was never released after Hammond suffered a massive, fatal stroke. Ned has produced, engineered and released two albums of his songs, touring in support of those albums and winning numerous awards for both his live performances and his songwriting (i.e. 2005 International Songwriting Competition Singer/Songwriter Song of the Year out of over 10,000 entries for his song “In The Park” and runner-up in the Billboard Best Unsigned Band competition). Ned wrote and directed the short film, Katie Bar The Door, which has appeared in numerous film festivals around the United States (including The Sedona International Film Festival and Marco Island Film Fest). His screenplay, “Outstanding In Brooklyn,” has won awards in various screenplay competitions (including an Honorable Mention in the Slamdance Screenplay Competition and 2nd place in the Jacksonville Film Fest Screenplay Competition). As an actor, Ned has appeared in numerous off and off-off Broadway and regional theater productions, independent films, and television including a principal role on the CBS series “Hack” with David Morse. Voiceovers include the A&E program, “Final Days” and recently voicing all 8 characters of the pilot episode of “Bussy” for the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.

CHRISTOPHER KALE JONES is thrilled to make his NYMF debut in Bloodties. His loving wife Jenna Coker-Jones, a NYMF staple in past years, has been happy to show him the ropes. Chris has toured the country as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, winning a West Coast Backstage Garland award for his portrayal of the iconic pop star. Additionally, he has been nominated for acting awards in Philadelphia and St. Louis. For other credits and fun go to www.christopherkalejones.com.

GEORGE MCDANIEL credits include: Broadway: Big River (Special Ensemble Tony Honor). Off Broadway: Perfect Crime (Snapple Theater) Biography (Pearl Theatre Company), Going Down Swinging (NYMF Best Ensemble). National Tours: White Christmas; Annie Get Your Gun; Showboat; Big River and the U.S. premiere of Ragtime. Regional Theatre: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Shout Up A Morning (La Jolla Playhouse); Putting It Together, Bandido and Big River (CTG/Mark Taper Forum), My Fair Lady (Actors Theatre and Cleveland Playhouse), Othello (Pioneer Theatre Company), Copenhagen (Northern Stage). Best Actor awards: Man Of La Mancha (SBCLO), My Fair Lady (AMT) and Ovation Award Nomination for Deaf West Theatre’s Oliver. Film: Lionheart; This Is Spinal Tap; Olé. Television: “Law & Order,” “CSI,” “SVU,” “ER,” “The West Wing,” “One Life To Live” and most recently seen as the dastardly James Beardsley on “All My Children.”

NANCY RINGHAM was last seen Off-Broadway in her critically acclaimed performance in Secrets Of A Soccer Mom, directed by Judith Ivey; and at New Jersey Rep as Diane in Poetic License. Nancy’s Broadway Credits include: Roundabout’s Follies (Christine) with Judith Ivey, Blythe Danner, Treat Williams, and Gregory Harrison; The Will Rogers Follies (Betty Blake) opposite Mac Davis, Larry Gatlin, and Mickey Rooney; The Three Penny Opera (Polly) opposite Sting; My Fair Lady (Eliza) opposite Rex Harrison. She toured nationally in Cabaret (Sally Bowles) opposite Joel Grey; OKLAHOMA (Ado Annie); Guys And Dolls (Adelaide); Singin’ In The Rain (Lina Lamont); and My Fair Lady. Her Off-Broadway and Regional credits are extensive, having performed in over 30 productions. Nancy can be seen in Disney’s “Heavyweights,” “The Dave Chappell Show,” “One Life To Live,” “Another World,” “Loving,” “City Kid’s” and several appearances on “The David Letterman Show” as Dave’s Wife. She has been the soloist for Peter Nero both with the Philly Pops and the Florida Philharmonic, as well as many recordings.

CHRISTOPHER SUTTON (Standby for Ned Massey) created the title role in the World Premiere of The Flight of the Lawnchair Man at Goodspeed Opera House and NYMF (Outstanding Actor Award). Other New York credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and the original casts/recordings of Golf: The Musical and The It Girl with Jerry Zaks. He played the role of Prince Herbert/Not Dead Fred in the 1st national tour of Monty Python’s Spamalot for over 1,200 performances under the direction of Mike Nichols. A three-time Barrymore Award Nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actor in Blood Brothers (Mickey) and Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), Christopher received the Barrymore Award for his portrayal of Buddy in Buddy:The Buddy Holly Story, and is a recipient of the Louis B. Sudler National Prize in the Arts. Regional credits include: Me and My Girl (Bill), Carousel (Billy), Of Mice and Men (George), Desire Under the Elms (Eben), The Sea Gull (Treplyev), Henry IV Part I (Prince Henry).

KATIE THOMPSON Is a critically acclaimed recording artist and musical theatre performer. THEATRE: Giant (Signature Theatre), Ripper (NAMT), R.R.R.E.D. (NYMF & The Grove Theatre in LA),The Lighthouse Project, Piece (NAMT); Events: Broadway South Africa (Gershwin), Defying Inequality (Gershwin), Katie & Friends (Birdland), Eden Espinosa “ME” (Joe’s Pub), Broadway Loves Country (Joe’s Pub). RECORDINGS: The Ark (Sariah), The Forgotten Carols (Connie Lou), Dreaming Wide Awake (Say Goodbye), Reach the Sky (The Best is Yet to Come), What I’ve Done Right, KT LIVE. AWARDS: LA Weekly Theater Awards: Best Musical Performance nomination, Best Musical Director nomination; Indie Award nomination for Connie Lou’s Christmas; Pearl Award nomination for Safe Harbors. EDUCATION: American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Los Angeles). Recently Katie’s music has been featured on “So You Think You Can Dance” America & Canada. Find Katie’s music on iTunes and CD Baby. www.KatieThompson.com

McCORKLE CASTING, LTD. Casting Director, Pat McCorkle, (C.S.A.) and associates have most notably cast Broadway productions of; The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, The Glass Menagerie, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, Amadeus, A Doll’s House, She Loves Me, Blood Brothers, And A Few Good Men. A sampling of Off-Broadway credits include; The Toxic Avenger, Our Town, Adding Machine, Almost Maine, Address Unknown, Ears On A Beatle, Down The Garden Paths, Killer Joe, Visiting Mr. Green, Mrs. Klein, Driving Miss Daisy. Casting for feature films are represented by projects such as; Ghost Town, War Eagle, Bereft, Secret Window, Basic, The Thomas Crown Affair, The 13th Warrior, Madeline, Die Hard With A Vengeance, School Ties, etc. A few television highlights include; “The Electric Company,” “Californication,” (Emmy nomination), “Human Giant,” “3lbs.,” “Barbershop,” “Chappelle’s Show” among many others. Some projects currently underway are, HIGH with Kathleen Turner (tour), New York productions of Error Of The Moon, Viagra Falls and Premium Rush a feature film for Sony Pictures.

Now in its seventh year, the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) is the largest annual musical theatre event in America and is widely regarded as the essential source for new material and talent discovery. NYMF provides a launching pad for the next generation of musicals and their creators to ensure the continued vitality of one of America’s greatest art forms. Hailed as the “Sundance of Musical Theatre,” NYMF discovers, nurtures, and promotes promising musical theatre artists and producers at all stages of development, and inspires a diverse audience through vibrant, accessible, powerful new work.

NYMF is the flagship program of National Music Theater Network, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. NYMF 2010 is presented in association with BroadwayWorld.com, Production Resource Group, TheaterMania.com, and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and is supported by AP-Red.com, Back Stage, Barnes and Noble, BroadwayBox.com, BroadwayInsider.com, Broadway.TV, Clear Channel Spectacolor, DFD-TV, King Displays, NASDAQ OMX, New World Stages, Next Magazine, PMD Promotions, The Port Authority of NY & NJ, Queerty.com, Season of Savings, Tekserve, Terra Fossil, Thomson Reuters, TheMenEvent.com, Times Square Squared, and Yelp. Major supporters include The ASCAP Foundation, BMI Foundation, Inc., The Broadway League, The BWF Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation with the support and encouragement of Jamie Ariel Phinney, The Charlie & Jane Fink Charitable Fund, Cameron Mackintosh Foundation, The Jerome Robbins Foundation, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Spiritus Gladius Foundation, and The Theater League. NYMF is supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

NYMF Memberships, which combine charitable contributions with valuable, flexible ticket packages and perks like early seating, and tickets to individual events are currently available for purchase at (212) 352-3101 or www.nymf.org.