Shoshana Bean, Mykal Kilgore, and Solea Pfeiffer to Star in Encores! Off-Center Songs for a New World

The summer season also includes Taylor Mac and Susan Blackwell in Michael Friedman’s Gone Missing.

Wicked alum Shoshana Bean, Mikal Kilgore (Jesus Christ Superstar Live), and Hamilton's Solea Pfeiffer will star in the Encores! Off-Center production of Songs for a New World, running June 27–30 at New York City Center.

Kate Whoriskey will direct the presentation of Jason Robert Brown’s 1995 song cycle, which will also feature music direction by Tom Murray and choreography by Rennie Harris (who will incorporate an ensemble of dancers).

WATCH MYKAL KILGORE NAIL THE 'DOING THE MOST' VOCAL CHALLENGE

The season will continue with Gone Missing, presented in honor of the late Michael Friedman, who served as artistic director of the 2017 Off-Center season. The July 11 and 12 performances will feature Tayor Mac, Susan Blackwell, John Behlmann, Aysan Celik, and Deborah S. Craig. Ken Rus Schmoll will direct the Friedman and Steven Cosson collaboration, with Karla Garcia as choreographer.

Micki Grant and Vinnette Carroll's Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope will follow July 25–28. Savion Glover will direct and choreograph a cast that includes Malik Akil, Alexandria Bradley, C.K. Edwards, Shonica Gooden, Marla McReynolds, and Allysa Shorte.

Chris Fenwick will serve as music director for the latter two titles.

The new Off-Center lineup also marks the return of the series' Lobby Project, offering free, pre-show events. A group of up-and-coming composers will pen three 25-minute docu-musicals inspired by interviews with the creative teams of the three musicals and various artists and community members. The works will be performed by the Civilians (founded by Cosson and a longtime artistic home to Friedman), with the presentations recorded and subsequently released as podcasts. (There will not be a Lobby Project performance June 27 or July 25).

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

