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The Evolution of (Henry) Mann (2021)

Music and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen

Book and lyrics by Dan Elish

Directed by Jason Aguirre

The Evolution Of (Henry) Mann  follows Henry Mann, a 30-something single New Yorker eager to settle down…or so he thinks. After receiving an invitation to his ex-fiancée’s wedding, he embarks on a quest to find his perfect date. This musical comedy had its New York premiere in 2018, and is a fun and uplifting look at love in the 21st century.

 It features  music and lyrics by Drama Desk nominee Douglas J. Cohen (Children’s Letters to God, The Opposite of Sex)  and book and lyrics by Dan Elish (13: The Musical) based on his novel,  Nine Wives.

Can’t make it to the theater? We’re pleased to offer a live stream of the performance on Saturday, October 23rd at 7:30pm EST.

Please note that anyone purchasing a streaming ticket must watch the performance as it happens live, and not at a later day/time.

Meet the creative team

  • Douglas J. Cohen

    A 2021 Drama League nominee for Prospect Theater Company’s Don't Stay Safe (co-written with Cheryl L. Davis), Doug received the Fred Ebb Award and two Richard Rodgers Awards for No Way To Treat A Lady (produced twice off-Broadway, Outer Critics Circle nomination for Best Revival) and The Gig (Manhattan Theatre Club Stage 2, Goodspeed, American Stage Company, The York Theater concert recording). Other musicals include The Big Time (book by Douglas Carter Beane, all-star 2020 McCarter Theater concert), Children's Letters to God, (Drama Desk nominee, Outstanding Lyrics), The Opposite of Sex (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Bridges (Berkeley Playhouse, three Bay Area Theater Critics Circle nominations), and Barnstormer (Jonathan Larson Grant, Bare Bones production @ Lark Theater). Doug is a member of The Dramatists Guild and ASCA.

  • Dan Elish

    Dan wrote the book to the popular musical 13 which played at the Mark Taper Forum and won the 2007 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for best production; he was also nominated for best writing. 13 went on to Broadway and theaters all over the world, and the film version will soon be released by Netflix. Dan is also the author of 11 novels, including Nine Wives, on which The Evolution of (Henry) Mann is based. His other works include The Royal Order of Fighting Dragons, and Born Too Short which won a 2004 International Reading Association Students' Choice Award for young adult literature. Dan has also written numerous scripts for TV (notably Cyberchase and The Wonder Pets) and has penned music and lyrics to many children's musicals and works of non-fiction for younger readers.

  • Jason Aguirre

    Jason specializes in new musical development and reinvestigating the traditional American book musical. He is a member of the Directors Group at Roundabout Theatre Company, a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Librettist Workshop, and a founding member of Theatre Now’s National Musical Writers Group. Jason has also studied with The Upright Citizens Brigade, The Groundlings, and the Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester. He has several musicals in development including Sick Moves! (or The Dancing Plague of 1518), Public Dominance, and Disco Destruction. Jason is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild, an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographer Association, and currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Theatre Now New York.

Meet the Cast

  • Ryan Gregory Thurman (AEA)

    Ryan has been cast as Henry, a 30-something single New Yorker eager to settle down…or so he thinks. After receiving an invitation to his ex-fiancée’s wedding, he embarks on a quest to find his perfect date. Thurman’s credits include Elf: The Musical (National Tour), and regional productions of The Little Mermaid (Sebastian/The Argyle Theatre), Oklahoma! (Pittsburgh CLO), Peter And The Starcatcher (Ted/Dobama Theatre), and Sweeney Todd (Toby/Mac-Haydn Theatre). www.ryangregorythurman.com @huggybruh

  • Shani Hadjian (AEA)

    Shani has been cast as Gwen, Henry’s best friend and roommate. Her credits include National Tours of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch) and Beauty and the Beast (Madame de la Grande Bouche). Her regional credits include Fun Home (Alison/Public Theatre of San Antonio), Spamalot (Lady of the Lake/Muhlenburg Summer Music Theatre), Caroline, or Change (Rose Stopnick/StillPointe Theatre Initiative) and Les Miserables (Fantine/Bexley Theatre). www.shanihadjian.com @shani_hadjian

  • Bebe Browning (AEA)

    Bebe will play Sheila, Henry’s ex-fiancée, as well as other supporting roles. Her regional credits include: First Date (Mason Street Warehouse), A Chorus Line (Sheila/Summer Repertory Theatre), Miss Saigon (Kim/Paliku Theatre), as well as several shows at the Diamond Head Theatre, including Little Women (Jo), Singin’ in the Rain (Zelda) and Legally Blonde (Vivienne). www.bebebrowning.com @bebebrowning

 

Show Promo!

Enjoy this short piece highlighting some of the show’s musical numbers and featuring some enthusiastic audience feedback!

 
 

 ATG programming generously sponsored by:

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