THE ROAD TO QATAR! Putting It Together...

JAMES BEAMAN PLAYS MICHAEL IN THE NEW MUSICAL, "THE ROAD TO QATAR' AT THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY JANUARY 25 THROUGH FEBRUARY 27!

Dear Readers:

My apologies for taking so long to update you on my doings, and the new show I am rehearsing at The York Theatre Company. We have been at work for just over two intense weeks, learning this complex and fast paced musical comedy. The process has been incredibly challenging; not for any other reason but that this is terrific material. It's smart, the lyrics are tricky and clever, the music is complex and there's a lot of it. I think this is most likely the most challenging musical theatre role I have attempted, in terms of the sheer amount of singing and the range it requires. But believe me, I am not complaining!

I have a really great feeling about THE ROAD TO QATAR!. The spirit of everyone involved is completely positive and playful, the cast is uniformly funny and great at spontaneous comedic work, our musical director David Caldwell and our choreographer Bob Richard are super fast and super talented and we are all banding together, under the nimble direction of Phillip George. This is also the first time I have gotten to create a role in a new show and work with the writers through the entire process. And these writers are so gifted, so thoroughly in mastery of their craft; Stephen Cole is equally as bright, clever and outrageous as a lyricist and as a book writer, and David Krane is simply a musical master, who is finally getting meolodies showcased in this big hearted autobiographical flight of fancy. He is also one of the best orchestrators in the business and his arrangements for our five piece band, I have no doubt, will be brilliant.

We launch into tech tomorrow and all the elements will start to be brought together. I look forward to sharing the fun in photos, etc as we gallop towards our first preview next week! Please come and see this great new show! Discounts abound on the internet and we play from January 25 through February 27. You can also participate in a 2 for 1 ticket program that includes all kinds of great Off-Broadway shows, especially ours. For photos from our recent press sneak peek, take a look at Playbill On Line.