FRIENDS LIKE THESE WINS 7TH ANNUAL TRU MUSICALS READING SERIES AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEW MUSICAL Friends Like These to be showcased December 4, 2006 The first annual Howard L. Blau Award for a promising new work of musical theater was presented to Friends Like These with music by John McMahon, lyrics by Jay Jeffries, and with book by Mr. Jeffries and Mr. McMahon. The musical was selected out of more than 50 entries. Friends Like These was showcased on December 4, 2006 at the TRU VOICES 7th Annual TRU Musicals Reading Series at The Players Theater, 115 MacDougal Street.   The December 4th reading of Friends Like These will feature Trisha Rapier (The NEWSical, understudy for the Liza Minelli character in The Boy from Oz, Forbidden Broadway), Raissa Katona Bennett (Christine in Phantom of the Opera, first national touring companies of CATS and Parade, under the direction of Hal Prince, Saving Aimee, book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford), and Casey Clark (SHOUT! The Mod Musical, It Ain't Really My Birthday...in last May's TRU reading series), Jana Robbins (Good News, I Love My Wife, Crimes of the Heart, Romance/Romance, Gypsy and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife), and Eadie Scott (What in the World: The NEWSical Revue.) The December 4th reading of Friends Like These was directed by Kelly Briggs (Cats, Les Miserables) and head of Kelly Briggs Casting.

Our last jam-packed, smash hit reading was on June 21, 2006 at The York Theater The Cast: Holly: Kelly Howe, Deedee: Karen Mason, Dana: Deborah Tranelli, and Meg: Joanna Glushak. The York Theatre Company is the only theatre in New York City - and one of very few in the world - dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over three decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both new and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim, multiple awards and nominations, and acclamation from artists and audiences alike. ********************************** Representation for "Friends Like These": Ron Gwiazda at ABRAMS ARTISTS AGENCY (646) 486-4600 fax (646) 486-0100 275 Seventh Ave. / 26th Floor NYC NY 10001

Kelly Briggs- (Director) Kelly is a performer, director and casting director. He has appeared in both the Broadway and National touring productions of Les Miserables and Cats. Kelly was also the host on the nationally syndicated program Debates/Debates. He directed the critically acclaimed McMahon/Jeffries revue That’s My New York as well as 5 productions of Broadway on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City featuring such names as Andrea McArdle, Gary Beach, Melba Moore, Julie Budd, Terri White, and Kate Shindle. As a casting director, Kelly casts for the Cohoes Music Hall and Tri-Arts at the Sharon Playhouse. Kelly also performs in concert and cabaret in his own act and with Jerry Christakos and John McMahon in the Nightlife Award winning show Lovely a musical comedy.