The York Theatre Company's production of Twist of Fate, with book and lyrics by Kleban Award winner Lissa Levin and music by Ron Abel, has announced its complete cast and creative team.
Centering on a fortuneteller who is arrested in 1970s Los Angeles, and her need to win the respect of her teenage daughter by fighting the law instead of running from it, Twist of Fate is based on an actual first amendment case.
“It all began with a feature article in the Los Angeles Times about a Romani woman who had been arrested for fortunetelling by a Mexican police detective and was then defended by a Jewish attorney from the ACLU,” shared Levin. “Who knew the practice was banned? Who fights for the right to predict the future? On the basis of Freedom of Speech? And what great fodder to dramatically explore a most unusual First Amendment case, a misunderstood culture, the mysterious practice of tarot card reading, and the melting pot of minorities that is Los Angeles, if not the U.S.”
Twist of Fate will be directed by Bill Castellino (Cagney, Desperate Measures), with musical direction by Ron Abel. Performances will begin September 7, and continue through September 15, with opening night set for September 8.
The production will star David Baida (On Your Feet, The Butcher Boy), Joanna Carpenter (Sweeney Todd, The Connector), Allyson Kaye Daniel (The Wiz, Unexpected Joy at The York), Lianne Marie Dobbs (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Himself and Nora), Ben Jones (The Pajama Game), Maya Lagerstam (The Gospel According to Heather, Fowl Play), Jillian Louis (It Shoulda Been You, Golden Rainbow at The York), Cal Mitchell (The Lieutenant at The York), and Eric Phelps (Pip’s Island, Leaving Brooklyn).
The band will consist of Ron Abel (piano), Dmitry Ishenko (bass), Sean Harkness (guitar), and Ray Marchica (drums). Casting is by Michael Cassara Casting. Christine Catti is production stage manager and Caroline Inches is assistant stage manager.
Twist of Fate was first presented at the Tiffany Theatre in Los Angeles. The show won the Kleban Award for its libretto, L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards for its score and musical direction, L.A. Weekly’s award for Musical of the Year, and an L.A. Ovation Award nomination for Best Musical. It was featured at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals, the National Music Theater Network’s Broadway U.S.A., Theatre Building Chicago’s new musical series, and at 54 Below in a concert staging.
For more information, visit YorkTheatre.org.
