New York City Center’s Encores! Off-Center season continues July 11 and 12 with Gone Missing, presented in honor of the late composer and Off-Center Artistic Director Michael Friedman.
Ken Rus Schmoll directs the production of the show, which musicalizes a series of interviews conducted by New York City theatre troupe The Civilians regarding objects people had lost in their lives and how they coped. The piece, written and originally directed by Civilians Founding Artistic Director Steve Cosson, features a score by Friedman.
The two-night engagement stars John Behlmann, Susan Blackwell, Aysan Celik, Deborah S. Craig, Taylor Mac, and David Ryan Smith. Karla Garcia choreographs; Chris Fenwick serves as music director.
At 6:30 PM—one hour before curtain at both performances—theatregoers will have the opportunity to catch members of The Civilians and New York City Center artists-in-residence as they present investigative theatre pieces exploring the legacy of the musical as part of the Lobby Project.
Friedman died September 9, 2017, at the age of 41 following complications due to HIV/AIDS. “We wanted to celebrate the profound vision of our friend and colleague Michael Friedman, who is sorely missed,” said Anne Kauffman, co-artistic director of Encores! Off-Center alongside Jeanine Tesori. “We’re certain that Michael’s voice will continue to break open what musical theatre can be and inspire audiences and artists for decades to come.”
