The 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival with Beyond Boundaries Presents LIVING WITH HENRY: a Musical Epidemic

Book, Music and Lyrics by Christopher Wilson

Directed and Choreographed by Donna Marie Baratta

Musical Direction by James Higgins

After several well-received Canadian productions, The New York Musical Theatre Festival will offer Christopher Wilson’s Living With Henry its US Premiere. Directed by Donna Marie Baratta, Henry will play from July 23- 29 at the The PTC Performance Space: 555 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at nymf.org or by calling (212) 352-3101.

Inspired by a true story, Michael is HIV positive, but it’s not a death sentence – not anymore. Michael just has to learn to live with it… but that’s not as simple as it sounds. A musical drama that explores the fears, complications and realities of coping with a complex, chronic condition that affects every day, every relationship, every breath,Living With Henry is sometimes comic, sometimes heartbreaking, but always passionate, bold and stunningly honest.

Framing HIV as a chronic illness, this theatrical work poignantly explores present day issues such as stigma, disclosure, interpersonal relationships, medication management and mental health. Most importantly, this engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking musical strives to examine and challenge the misunderstanding currently associated with living with HIV/AIDS.

“When I was first diagnosed with HIV over a decade ago, I was devastated; Living With Henry was part of my “therapy” and the first thing I have ever written. I soon came to realize that there are very few, if any, modern theatrical tales of living with HIV. I am so very excited and honored to share “Henry” with NY audiences.”

Christopher Wilson, writer, Living With Henry

Living With Henry features some of Toronto, Canada’s best professional musical theatre talents including: Dora Award winner Ryan Kelly – Michael (The Normal Heart, Mamma Mia); Dale Miller – Henry (Les Miserables, Forever Plaid); Lizzie Kurtz – Jenni (CATS, Forever Swing); John Edwards – Mathew (Rocky Horror, Hairspray); Mary Kelly – Mom (Napolean, Nunsense); and Gavin Hope – Peter (Lion King, RENT). Stage Managed by Alexa Carroll; Assistant Stage Managed by Jessica Parr; with Set, Costume and Lighting Design by Jennifer Goodman (Stratford Shakespeare Festival), General Management by Justin Huebener. 

Living With Henry was a hit at the Toronto Fringe Festival and was a special selection for the Encore series. That production was called:  “This fully staged chamber musical, imaginatively directed by Donna Marie Baratta, seems already primed for a professional run. Told through songs – sometimes comic, sometimes heartbreaking – the show has the ring of authenticity and the six-person cast gives passionate, committed performances.” NOW Magazine; Ryan Kelly returns to the stage in a play about living with HIV/AIDS, heading a hugely committed cast and bringing life and passion to an unflinching and promising new musical by Christopher Wilson.” Toronto Sun; “Christopher Wilson’s Living With Henry is a sensitive exploration of the complex realities of living and loving while HIV positive today… Wilson effectively probes the emotions and tough questions that Michael (lead character) grapples with. Living with Henry certainly ends provocatively (and) there’s a powerful story here.” Globe and Mail

Now in its ninth 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 2012 is presented in association with BroadwayWorld.com, Production Resource Group, and TheaterMania.com, and is supported by American Eagle Outfitters, Back Stage, BroadwayBox.com, BroadwayInsider.com, Clear Channel Spectacolor, Disney Store Times Square, Fox 5/ WNYW-TV, King Displays, NASDAQ OMX, New World Stages, Next Magazine, PMD Promotions, The Port Authority of NY & NJ, Queerty.com, Thomson Reuters, TheMenEvent.com, Times Square Squared, and Yelp. Major supporters include The ASCAP Foundation, BMI Foundation, Inc., The BWF Foundation, Con Edison, The Nathan Cummings Foundation with the support and encouragement of Jamie Mayer Phinney, The New Musical Development Foundation, The Jerome Robbins Foundation, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and The Theater League.  NYMF is supported, in part, by funds from the New York City Theater Subdistrict Council, LDC, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council 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.