The University of Alabama Theatre & Dance, in association with Margot Astrachan, is proud to present the World Premiere of the new Broadway-aimed musical THE COUNTESS OF STORYVILLE. The developmental production is a collaboration between Broadway professionals, UA Theatre & Dance, and the Tuscaloosa community. A five-week rehearsal period will culminate in a fully staged production with a week of public performances at the Marian Gallaway Theatre from Feb 16-20. The musical features music by Martin Silvestri, lyrics by Joel Higgins, a book by R.M. Cohen, choreography by Denis Jones & and direction by Mark Waldrop. Red Awning / Jack Viertel is Creative Consultant, David Siegel is Orchestrator, and Jason Yarcho is Musical Director. The cast is led by Paulette Ivory as ‘The Countess: Willie Dupree,’ George Dvorsky as ‘Tom Anderson,’ T. Oliver Reid as ‘Kid Rich,’ Cooper Grodin as ‘Antonio Maduro,’ Aurelia Williams as ‘Julia Jackson,’ Jamie Laverdiere as ‘Philip Belvedere,’ Monté Howell as ‘Silky,’ local actors Mark H. Cobb as Judge and Charles Prosser as ‘Alderman,’ and UofA student Mary Catherine Waltman as ‘Celine.’ This new American musical, cloaked in mystery and steeped in politics, follows a wealthy and beautiful woman of color who returns from Paris to operate a legally-sanctioned brothel in Storyville, the red light district of 1910 New Orleans. Jazz and Ragtime were born in those 10 blocks of "sin." Press contact: Matt Ross PR