Matt Bogart and Jessica Burrows to Star in American Theater Group's HIMSELF AND NORA, 4/24-5/12

On April 24, American Theater Group, New Jersey's newest professional theater company, will present, direct from its success at the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival, Jonathan Brielle's new musical Himself and Nora at its new home, Hamilton Stage in Rahway, New Jersey.

Director Michael Bush brings to life Himself and Nora, a passionate, bawdy, funny and uplifting new musical that sings the true story of one of the great love affairs of the 20th century that changed the face of literature forever.

Himself...the brilliant and hard drinking Irish novelist James Joyce; and Nora...the earthy chambermaid Nora Barnacle who became his lover, his partner, and his muse for 29 years. This inspiring new musical, Himself and Nora sings a contemporary love story which survived their exile from their beloved Ireland, the condemnation of the Catholic church, and ultimately helped to create some of the greatest writing of the 20th century. Himself and Nora is alive with intelligent and witty tunes by Brielle with an inspiring and original score that ranges from raucously funny to movingly poignant.

Broadway star Matt Bogart of Jersey Boys fame and Jessica Burrows, one of theater's fastest rising stars who was honored with the Outstanding Performance Award as Nora in the NYMF production of Himself and Nora will recreate their roles for this premiere.

An earlier version of Himself and Nora, first produced at The Old Globe in San Diego, was honored with a National Endowment Award and was subsequently performed to great acclaim at The James Joyce Center in Dublin. American Theater Group's Co-Producing Artistic Directors James N. Vagias, Rick Sordelet and Joe Mancuso saw the Tritone production under the direction of Michael Bush at the acclaimed New York Musical Theatre Festival. The festival has been the launching pad for a remarkable number of successes on Broadway, off-Broadway and internationally for such shows as Altar Boyz,, The Big Voice: God or Merman?, Captain Louie, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Gutenberg! The Musical, Meet John Doe, Midlife (the Crisis Musical), Nerds, Rooms, Shout! the Mod Musical, Yank! and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal.

"When we first saw the piece at NYMF, we all agreed that this is the type of theater we want to produce: uplifting, passionate, funny and inspirational" says James Vagias. "As a theater company, we look to find exciting new voices in the American theater, and we are honored to be part of Himself and Nora's journey, and to introduce our audiences to the incredibly talented Jon Brielle".

American Theater Group is an ambitious new performing arts company launched in 2012 that offers musicals and spoken plays, a new musical reading series and theater education at the newly built state-of-the-art Hamilton Stage in Rahway. Its focus is on producing new and classic works, primarily by American playwrights, with an emphasis on the development of new works and the rediscovery of undeservedly neglected older ones. It is truly fitting that ATG's first offering is not only by a new voice on the American musical theater stage but a resident of Tewksbury, New Jersey, Jonathan Brielle.

"I am so grateful to be working with Jim Vagias at their gorgeous new facility for our next steps on the show that is so close to my heart", says Jonathan Brielle.

American Theater Group will aim to make theater's glorious possibilities accessible to the diverse surrounding community of Rahway and the region, and to maintain a nurturing environment for playwrights, actors and theatrical designers and technicians to develop and hone their works.

Performances are. April 24- May 12 (Wednesday through Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 3 p.m.). Tickets are $30-$35 (Special rates for seniors and students).

Tickets to all American Theater Group events can be purchased at the UC PAC Box Office. Purchase tickets online at the virtual Box Office and purchase tickets 24 hours a day, or call the UC PAC Box Office at 732-499-8226, or visit in person at the UC PAC Box Office at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway.

Box Office Hours:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 11am-5pm
Wednesday - 11am-5pm
Thursday - 11am - 8pm
Friday - 11am - 5pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
Or, by request. You may contact the UC PAC Box Office and make an appointment that is convenient for you to purchase tickets.

The Box Office is open 2 hours prior to every performance. If you are purchasing tickets on the day of an event, please note that online sales end two hours prior to the performance. All purchases must be processed through the UC PAC Box Office either over the phone or in person after that time.

American Theater Group's home is the new intimate new 199-seat Hamilton Stage at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway New Jersey. Hamilton Stage is governed and operated by the Union County Performing Arts Center.