FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     Contact: Scott Guy, Executive Director

Academy for New Musical Theatre

818-506-8500

academy@anmt.org

At Home In Mitford - One Night Only Concert Reading - Monday, October 26

(Los Angeles, Monday, October 19, 2009)  At Home in Mitford, a new musical based on the popular novel by Jan Karon, will receive a one night only concert reading October 26 at 7:30 pm as part of The Academy for New Musical Theatre’s reading series at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. Written by Cynthia Ferrell (book), Carl Johnson (music) and Chana Wise (lyrics), it tells the story of Father Tim, a cherished small-town rector, and the quirky group of people that live in the town of Mitford, NC. Elise Dewsberry directs and Darin Goulet is musical director.

"We're honored that Ms. Karon has entrusted her beloved characters to us," says the Academy's Executive Director Scott Guy. "Making a musical is always a tricky thing, and we want to make sure we respect her writing and her readers. She has told us she's very excited about this particular draft -- and we're delighted for the opportunity to present it in concert."

Featured in the cast are David Holmes as Father Tim, Kelly Lester, Tess Ferrell, Elise Dewsberry and Jerry Martin, along with Ellen Dostal, Evelyn Halus, Johanna Kent, Christopher Maikesh, Andrea Press, Sari Rose Poll, Ben Ryan, Stephen Vendette and Peter Welkin.

"At Home in Mitford is about second chances for all," says bookwriter Cynthia Ferrell, "that it’s never too late to find true love, safety, peace, family." Adds composer Carl Johnson, "The mythical town of Mitford is a metaphor for Anytown U.S.A. The people and their relationships she writes about could be in any small town in America. I think that part of the appeal of her books is that almost anyone can find something to relate to in her characters and their lives."

The Colony Theatre is located at 555 North Third Street in Burbank, CA. $10 tickets can be reserved through the ANMT website at www.anmt.org.

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Academy for New Musical Theatre, 5628 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA, 91601

818-506-8500                        academy@anmt.org