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About

A cross between Alice In Wonderland, The Wiz, and Dante’s Inferno, The Demise is the story of Harry Haller, a young, tormented, wannabe-rock-star who takes a trip uptown through the magical underbelly of a skewed version of NYC in search of Devachan: "the greatest rock club of all time." Harry is guided on his journey by a mysterious, omni­present, master­-of­-ceremonies and meets a variety of provocative and enchanting characters who challenge him to consider a brand new perspective.

On his quest, Harry discovers far more than he bargained for: Himself.

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A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended our workshop production shows at NYMF!  Your energy and positive feedback were tremendous!

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Listen

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The Creators

Joel Henry Stein (Music, Lyrics, Book) is a singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. He has composed and directed music for productions at the Tony Award-winning Alley Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Manhattan Theatre Source. Joel co-wrote and music-directed the musical comedy, Election Day, which ran at off-Broadway’s American Theater of Actors, and has composed orchestral scores for the Discovery channel. He holds a PhD in Composition & Theory from UCLA and lives in LA with his wife and daughter. www.JoelStein.com

Doug Kreeger (Book, Additional Lyrics) has performed lead roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on National and International Tours, at Carnegie Hall, and at Disney Concert Hall. Doug’s regional credits include Signature Theatre, Yale Rep, The Wallis, Pittsburgh CLO, The Old Globe and many others. He is a two-time NY Fringe Award Winner, a two-time Helen Hayes Award Nominee, and a Po'okela Award Winner. Doug received a B.F.A. from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and RADA in London. www.DougKreeger.com

Elizabeth Yng-Wong (Book/Additional Lyrics) is an award-winning filmmaker whose recent producing credits include Never Here, Beauty Mark, The Chair, and The Longest Game. She has directed a number of short films and videos intended for a broad range of distribution. Theater producing credits include multiple site-specific projects and the acclaimed one woman show Stanley Ann. Elizabeth received a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the Stark Producing Program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Check out this short video about THE DEMISE!

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Production Team

Shaun Peknic (Director) Associate Director Once. Select directing credits: Fireflies (Musical Theatre Factory); Manifest Pussy (Joe’s Pub/A.R.T.); I’m A Lot Like You (Spectacular Living Record Collection); Pulp Vérité (Lee Strasberg Directing Fellow); Sherlock Holmes & The West End Horror (Cortland Repertory Theatre, nominated Best Director 2015 SALT Awards); A Snowfall in Berlin (Nylon Fusion); Must Be The Music (ArsNova); A Streetcar Named Desire (NYU). BFA: NYU; Lincoln Center Directors Lab; member of SDC and MTF; teacher at PHTS/NYU.

Jennifer Jancuska (Choreographer) In 2017, Jennifer joined the Broadway company of HAMILTON as Resident Choreographer.  Current projects as choreographer include: the new off-Broadway play, FMK by James Presson, directed by Sash Bischoff; DIVA!, by Alex Sage Oyen and S.P. Monahan, directed by Daniel Goldstein; JOHNNY AND THE DEVIL'S BOX by Douglas Waterbury-Tieman's; the new musical ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, by Matte O’Brien and Matt Vinson; One Hit Wonder by Jermey Desmond, directed by Hunter Foster; and residencies with The Drama League and Barn Arts.  A graduate of Cornell University, Jennifer is the founding director of BC Beat, co-founding Artistic Director of Broadway Connection, and creative director of ASTIR. @jencuska www.JenniferJancuska.com

Christopher Lloyd Bratten (Music Director/Arranger) is the co-creator and former music supervisor of the live concert series For The Record.  He has served as MD/arranger for numerous stars from Broadway, film and TV, including Rumer Willis, Billy Porter, Tiffany, Megan Hilty, Evan Rachel Wood, Leslie Odom Jr., and many more.  Currently he's working as a freelance music director/arranger/pianist and faculty member at Relativity School in Downtown Los Angeles.

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The Cast

Sam Cieri (Harry) Starting out as a songwriter spending years playing for rent in the NYC subways. Sam has gone from busker to mechanic to Vegas pianist to motorcycle salesman and everything in between. After only joining the theatre world a few short years ago, he is thrilled to be involved in this beautiful and creative world of The Demise for this incredible year at NYMF. Previous credits include: Rock Of Ages (Drew), Once National Tour (Guy), Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis).

Kirsten deLohr Helland (The Guide) makes her NYC debut with The Demise. Favorite regional credits include Seattle Repertory Theatre: Siren (Lizard Boy - World Premiere). The 5th Avenue Theatre: Maria (The Sound of Music), Rizzo (Grease), Ado Annie (Oklahoma!), Jovie (Elf), Penny Pingleton (Hairspray in Concert). Diversionary Theatre: Siren (Lizard Boy). Village Theatre: Eponine (Les Miserables), Amy (Trails), Lachesis (String). Film: Danielle in Laggies. IG:@kiki_dela

Brian Flores (Jesús) National Tours: Pippin (Pippin, dir. Diane Paulus). Off-Broadway/Regional: Othello (New York Theatre Workshop, dir. Sam Gold), Hadestown (New York Theatre Workshop, dir. Rachel Chavkin) The New Yorkers (Encores! City Center, Dir. John Rando) The Ballad of Little Jo (Two River Theater, dir. John Dias). Readings/Workshops: The Sting (dir. John Rando), Prince of Egypt (dir. Scott Schwartz), Secondhand Lions (dir. Scott Schwartz) Pedro Pan (dir. Rachel M Stevens). Education: BFA Musical Theatre, University of Michigan, RADA.

Kalyn West (Natalie) is psyched to join The Demise! Recently appeared as Kat Johnson in "Nikola Tesla Drops The Beat" (ATF). Other credits - NY: Marlie "Gigantic" (Off Broadway); Katie "PopStar" (Alchemy Theater Productions). Regional: Vanessa "In The Heights" (Fulton Opera House); Mimi Marquez "RENT" (Casa Mañana); Aggie "Back Home Again" (Lesher Center); Zaneeta "The Music Man" (Flatrock Playhouse). TV/Film: Rachel "Blue Bloods, Season 6" (CBS); Gabby "Imitation Girl" (Ilium Pictures). @misskurlykay www.kalynwest.com

Hannah Rose DeFlumeri  (DeeDee) is stoked to be a part of this show. Most recently seen in Prospect Theater's Lab 'World Views' and in NYTB's reading of 'The Belle Of Tombstone' (Young Josie). Other favorite credits; 'Bullets over Broadway' 1st National (Ellen), and the North American Tour of 'Legally Blonde' (Vivienne). She is represented by Whole Artist Management and Clear Talent. Love and light to her family and Nicasio for being a forever scene partner. Hannahrosedeflumeri.com

Jackie Sanders (Karen) Recent: “The Blacklist” (NBC); The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare in the Park/The Public, Dir. Phyllida Lloyd); Remember Me (NY Int’l Fringe Fest); Off-Broadway: Kicking A Dead Horse (The Public, Dir. Sam Shepard), Measure for Measure (Mobile Shakespeare Unit/The Public), Cowgirls (Original Cast), Swingtime Canteen (Original Cast).  Tours: A Chorus Line, 42nd Street. Film: Mona Lisa Smile, A Pinch of Salt, She Lights Up Well.   TV: “Pan Am” (ABC), “Live from Queens” (Lifetime Network). jackiesandersnyc.com

Richard Crandle (Bucket) is pumped to be back on the NYMF stage after appearing in last season's Dust Can't Kill Me! His recent credits include: Lola Cover - Kinky Boots Australia, C.C. White - Dreamgirls (Milwaukee Rep.), Victor - Smokey Joe's Cafe (STAGES, Saint Louis). Other credits: NBC's The Sing-Off, Black Nativity (Film) Love to family, friends, and agents over at Harden-Curtis. Instagram/Twitter: @RichardCrandle

Esco Jouléy (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of the NYMF production of The Demise. NY/Regional: The Marvelous Wonderettes (Betty Jean), Curtains (Bambi), Man of LaMancha (Sancho Panza), The Three Musketeers (Porthos), The Turing Test (PSI), Spoolie Girl (Frankie Frank), Unnecessary Farce (Billie Dwyer), Legally Blonde (Pilar), Avenue Q (Nicky, Trekkie Monster). Love to ze's wife and family for all their love and support. Many thanks to Michael Cassara and the whole Demise family. escojouley.com

Basit Shittu (Ensemble) is a Brooklyn based artist from Dallas, Texas. Basit was most recently seen as Queeg in the punk-rock opera Baby Fat performed at LaMama Experimental Theatre, and Anthony in Next Faggot Nation performed at HERE Arts. Other credits include: Cats: Rum Tum Tugger, and The Wiz: Tin Man. Basit is beyond thrilled to be a part of The Demise, and is grateful for the opportunity to create art. IG and twitter @basitshittu and his drag persona @dionneslay. Honestly, truly.

Alessandra Marconi (Ensemble) calls Harlem ‘home’ but is originally from Trenton, Ohio. She has a BA from Marymount Manhattan in Communications and Journalism and travels often as a dancer and teacher. She is a new leader in the Hustle dance community; teaching weekly and producing a monthly party called Hustle Social (bksd.org). Theatrically, she enjoys collaborating with Andy Blankenbuehler and Cindy Salgado and is grateful to be saying “yes, and..” in Jennifer Jancuska’s The BringAbout. @ali_marco, alessandranyc.com

Jackie Nguyen (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of this show! A few favorite credits - International Tours: Miss Saigon (Kim), My Fair Lady (Swing), Hair (Crissy US). National Tour -  How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (Swing/Dance Captain/Asst. Choreographer) and has played at Flat Rock Playhouse, East West Players, Pasadena Playhouse, and La Mirada Theatre. Thank you to the entire Demise team, Jen Jancuska, Avalon Artists, and her handsome fiancé Nate. www.jackie-nguyen.com

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History

2001-10

Joel performs songs from The Demise at The Bitter End (NYC), Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles), and The Mint (Los Angeles).

2005

Joel begins writing the book of The Demise.

2007

Joel records preliminary demos.  Elizabeth joins the team.

2011

Workshop concert of The Demise, at The Roxy (Los Angeles).  Doug joins the team.

2014

Full demos recorded.  Living room reading of the full script (Los Angeles).

2014-16

The creative team revises, revises, and then revises some more.  Create package of materials for submissions. 

2016

Reading at 18th Street Arts Complex in Santa Monica, CA.

2017

Director Shaun Peknic, choreographer Jennifer Jancuska, and Music Director Christopher Lloyd Bratten join the team.

Showcase “Gates of the Garden” song at Musical Theatre Factory in NYC.

Showcase three songs at Treehaus MiMa hosted by “Broadway Tonight!” in NYC.

Participate in New York Musical Theatre Festival’s Beta Series.  

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Contact

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Early Supporters

Our show exists through the generosity of the following people:

Harry & Miriam Stein, Kim Radovich, Susan Hossfeld, Barbara Schepps Wong & Richard Wong, Joan Kreeger, Suzanne Gilad, Vivian Halverson, Josh & Emily Hanye, Doug Kreeger, Richard Berman, Alan Green, Rick Kreeger, Alan Ahles, James Abrams, Jacqueline Appleby, Bob Brannon, Kristina Brendel, Stephen & Jill Byrd, Jack Calhoun, Bill & Sheila Childs, Harry Cozen, John Dombach, David Dosa, Robert Fink, John Gardner, Arthur Gottschalk, Kristina Groennings, Jacqui Hossfeld, Ray & Tabitha Jorgensen, Michelle Kendall, Jay Kennedy, Davis Jean Kirkpatrick, Megan Kressin, Charles Lovett, BJ Mackle, Barbara & Sherman Robinson, Erica Rotstein, Lauren Salem, Joan Scott, Camille Thoman, Marie Stein, Matia Wagabaza, Dorothy Wertz, Cori Williams, Chris Wyrick, Syndee & Mayira Stein, Elliott & Alice Stein, Chris Bowyer, Tucker and Karen Andersen, Corey Moosa, Bill and Wenke Sterns, Marla Pinksy, Brian Charles Rooney, Stuart Ward, Erica Spyres, John Gardner, Camille Thoman, Aaron Bogad and JustArt Theatricals, Playwrights Horizons Theater School, Alchemical Studios, Colt Coeur, and our donors who wish to remain anonymous.