Back on the Warhorse

I'm doing another reading of PEG O' MY HEART which we presented as a private showing for an invited audience last year. This time it's one performance at the York Theatre next Tuesday afternoon for a sold out house and a waiting list of 35. Originally produced in New York in 1912, we've added some songs and wonder if the piece can resonate 100 years later.

Author Karin Baker and director Lee Roy Reams are once again at the reins.

Cast members Frank Vlastnik and Kelly Grant are also returning.

Kelly is a longtime PHANTOM alumni who also plays the flute, and Frank wrote a magnificent coffee table book about Broadway musicals as well as being a splendid performer.

Kelly with Mary Stout who has the unique distinction of being mentioned in the script of the Broadway musical [title of show]

This rehearsal studio is actually the front room of a grand house in midtown. That's a chandelier you can see in the mirrors.

James Darrah returns as our romantic lead and we have a new Peg, the splendid Alaina Mills.

James was Ambrose Kemper in one of Carol Channing's HELLO DOLLY tours. Then he later played Cornelius Hackl.

Alaina in full flight accompanied by our brilliant MD, David Hancock Turner

Alaina went to drama school with PRISCILLA's beautiful Kyle Brown who took her under his very tall wing.

New to our cast is Alan Gilbert who acts and sings and plays the banjo!!

James chats with our wardrobe co-ordinator Catherine. Turns out they were both in "42nd Street" together. James tells me she was also in the original Broadway company for eight years and never missed a performance. As is only right...!

The ridiculously handsome and talented Allen E. Read is another holdover having been with PEG in all its incarnations for almost five years.

James tries on a cap for when we all play the members of the Irish Music Hall

But guess who had already snaffled the best one!