February House, the new musical inspired by a real life artistic commune that fostered some of America’s greatest talents, is beginning previews at off-Broadway’s Public Theater on May 8. Davis McCallum directs the piece, which features music and lyrics by Gabriel Kahane and a book by Seth Bockley. Opening night is set for May 22.
In 1940s New York, visionary and flamboyant editor George Davis transformed a dilapidated Brooklyn boarding house into a bohemian commune for artistic icons like Carson McCullers, Benjamin Britten, W.H. Auden and Gypsy Rose Lee. The residents of 7 Middagh Street create a tumultuous and remarkable makeshift family searching for love, inspiration, and refuge from the looming war in Europe.
February House stars Julian Fleisher as George Davis, Stanley Bahorek as Benjamin Britton, Kacie Sheik as Gypsy Rose Lee, Erik Lochtefeld as W.H. Auden and Kristen Sieh as Carson McCullers, Ken Barnett as Peter Pears, Ken Clark as Reeves McCullers, Stephanie Hayes as Erika Mann and A.J. Shively as Chester Kallman.