Broadway's Kenita Miller and More Star in PROPAGANDA! THE MUSICAL at NYMF, Now thru 7/27

The 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents Propaganda! The Musical a world premiere musical Book, Music, and Lyrics by Taylor Ferrera & Matt Webster. Nathan Brewer directs a cast of 10, including Mary Joanna Grisso (Nat. Tour: West Side Story), Nick Mason, Kenita Miller* (Bway: Xanadu, The Color Purple), Kenny Morris* (Bway: Hairspray, Les Miserables), Benjiman Dallas Redding (Nat. Tour: West Side Story), Shaun Repito (Nat. Tour: West Side Story), Dale Sampson*, Beth Cheryl Tarnow*, and Jillian Wallach (Nat. Tour: Legally Blonde).

Propaganda! The Musical is being staged at PTC Performance Space, 555 West 42nd Street (bet. 9th & 10th Avenues) in NYC for five performances from tonight, July 23 through Sunday, July 27, 2014. *Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.

Ignorance may not always be bliss. Rookie doesn't know much about his family business -- neither does the American Public -- but covering up political scandals is in his blood. And now it's up to him to cover up the biggest scandal since Watergate! Armed with a clever idea, Rookie must fight the evil Agent X and save the bureau from doom. With an energetic, catchy score and maybe even a tap dancing president (though you didn't hear it from us...) Propaganda! The Musical is the ultimate tribute to the power of musical theatre.

Propaganda! The Musical is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival along with Taylor Ferrera and Matt Webster. Director: Nathan Brewer; Musical Director: Andre Cerullo; Choreographer: Jason Sparks; Set Designer: Ryan Howell; Lighting Designer: Ethan Steimel; Costume Designer: Sky Swister; Stage Manager: Katie Kavett; General Manager: Form Theatricals (Anthony Francavilla & Zachary Laks); Publicist: Paul Siebold/Off Off PR.

Propaganda! The Musical plays for five performances on the following schedule: Wed., July 23rd at 8:00 pm; Thursday, July 24th at 1:00 pm; Friday, July 25th at 9:00 pm; Saturday, July 26th at 5:30 pm; Sunday, July 27th at 12:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at nymf.org or by calling 212-352-3101. For more information, please visit nymf.org. The runtime for Propaganda! The Musical is 2 hours, plus one intermission.

NYMF is the flagship program of The National Music Theater Network, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. Now celebrating its 11th year, The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) exists to revitalize musical theatre culture by discovering and promoting new musical theatre artists, producers and projects, nurturing a vibrant and innovative artistic community, and connecting one of America's greatest art forms with a diverse, contemporary audience.

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM:

Nathan Brewer (Director) Selected credits include Spring Awakening (NYFA, American Theatre of Actors), Bubble Boy (Workshop), Grand Hotel (BHT, Theatre at St. Clements), Grand Hotel (Pennsylvania Centre Stage), Mirette (Princeton Festival), The Secret Garden (Long Island Musical Theatre Festival), Hello Again (Manhattan Theatre Source), The Drowsy Chaperone (Penn State), and over twenty productions on the campuses of Penn State, Princeton University, Rider University, and Westminster Choir College. Assistant: Aladdin (New Amsterdam, Ed Mirvish & 5th Avenue), Relatively Speaking (Brooks Atkinson), Around The World In Eighty Days (Pittsburgh Public), The World Goes Round (Pittsburgh Public), Mirita (Cherry Lane), Born For Broadway (New World Stages), and both Assistant Director and Music Director of Seussical (Theatreworks/USA) since 2008. Nathan teaches at New York Film Academy, Westminster Conservatory, and is Artistic Director of Recreational Arts, Inc. Proud member of SDC! www.nathanbrewer.net

Taylor Ferrera (Book, Music, Lyrics) has been in New York City for three years. In that time she has attained a worldwide audience on YouTube and has been featured in the Huffington Post, on NBC, and various radio shows across the country for her songwriting. She has appeared in numerous shows, including Kingdom Come in the 2012 Downtown Urban Theatre Festival, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and as part of the Connecticut Children's Theatre (Artistic Director: Tony nominated, Jerry Goehring). She writes songs for people, campaigns, and companies; writes sketches and short plays; and now has delved into the world of musical theatre writing. She received her degree in acting from West Virginia University, is a San Francisco Giants fan, and will always cry when she visits the grave of Robert F. Kennedy (which she does more often than you'd probably guess.) www.TaylorFerreraMusic.com

Matt Webster (Book, Music, Lyrics) is a New York City based actor and writer currently on the Broadway Tour of West Side Story. His first musical Kingdom Come won Best Musical at the 2012 Downtown Urban Theatre Festival. Since winning the festival, Kingdom Come has been featured at the New York Theatre Barn's Night at the D-Lounge (performers included Anne L. Nathan of Broadway's Once) and a three night, sold-out run at the Secret Theatre in Long Island City. He received his BFA in Acting from West Virginia University where he was named the outstanding graduate from the College of Creative Arts. Matt has also been seen as an actor in NYC: Vital Theatre's production of the Off-Broadway Alliance Award-winning family show, StinkyKids the Musical; The Curious Quest of Benjamin Bunny with Connecticut Children's Theatre (Artistic Director: Tony nominated, Jerry Goehring). Matt is also a member of the Rescue Agreement Theatre Company, where he has been featured in two shows. www.TheOtherMattWebster.com

MEET THE CAST:

MaryJoanna Grisso - West Side Story (Maria - National Tour); Regional Credits include Guys and Dolls, Urinetown, High School Musical, and The Sound of Music. BFA, West Virginia University.

Nick Mason - with a BFA Musical Theatre from Shorter College, Nick comes from Atlanta, GA. Some recent credits include: Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie Monster), Spring Awakening (Moritz), The Wedding Singer (George), How to Succeed... (Bud Frump), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Martin Van Buren), In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play (Leo), 2012 NYC Fringe Festival: Dark Hollow (Andy).

Kenita R. Miller* - B'way/ Off B'way: Working, Ave. Q, Xanadu (Erato/Kira Cover), The Color Purple (Celie), Dessa Rose (Dessa), Langston In Harlem (Zora Neale Hurston (Drama Desk Nom./ Audelco Award)). National Tours/Regional: Once on This Island (Mama Euralie/ Timoune), The Color Purple, The Civil War, Woody Guthrie American Songbook, Ragtime (Sarah). Film/TV: "Liberty City Is Like Paris To Me" (Sundance), Sesame Street.

Kenny Morris* - Broadway: Hairspray; Les Mis?rables; Jacques Brel... (20th Anniversary) The Tenth Man (LCT). National/Intl Companies: Sunset Boulevard (First National Co.); Hairspray (First National Co.); Jolson: the Musical; Joseph and the Amazing... (w/David Cassidy); Doubles (w/Robert Reed); Sessue (Tokyo); Les Mis?rables (SF Co.). Off-Broadway: Soul Doctor (NY Theater Workshop); A New Brain (LCT); The Quick-Change Room (dir., Orson Beane). Regional: Caroline, Or Change (Guthrie Theater Kushner Festival), Cabaret (w/Deborah Gibson), Visiting Mr. Green, Gypsy (w/Karen Mason), Crazy for You; Diary of Anne Frank; City of Angels; Broadway Bound; Rags. Films/TV: "The Knick" (Steven Soderbergh, Dir.); "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (ABC); "Third Watch" (NBC); "Big;" "Radio Days;" "Nous York."

Benjiman Dallas Redding was born and raised in Columbus, GA and is a proud graduate of Elon University (B.F.A.). National Tour: West Side Story (Riff).

Shaun Repito is thrilled to be a part of Propaganda! The Musical! National Tours: West Side Story (Male Swing, Assistant Company Manager and Assistant Stage Manager), and Elf - The Musical 1st National (Ensemble). Regional: Young Frankenstein (Ensemble) and Gateway Playhouse and Ogunquit Playhouse. Shaun is a proud graduate from The University of Arizona with a B.F.A in Dance.

Dale Sampson* is a national champion in Humorous/Dramatic public speaking. National Tours: Seussical (Cat In the Hat), Junie B. Jones (Herb), NYC credits: Rent (Mark), Propaganda! The Musical (Rookie) also first workshop at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Kingdom Come (Freddy/Michael) winner: best musical at DUTF, BEST IMITATION (Landon) at FestivALL, Emerging Artists Theatre, and Midtown International Theatre Festival. Some favorite regional: Footloose (Ren), HONK! (Ugly), R&J (Romeo), BROADWAY CARES (Featured Vocalist).

Beth Cheryl Tarnow* is thrilled to be involved with NYMF for the first time, and is especially excited to be part of Propaganda! Favorite past credits include Shelley/Tracy u/s (Hairspray, Paper Mill Playhouse), Edwina (Dear Edwina), and Missy (The Marvelous Wonderettes).

Jillian Wallach is thrilled to be involved in her first NYMF show! National Tours: Legally Blonde the Musical! (Paulette) & Annie (Star to Be). Favorite Regional Credits: Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie) and Swing! www.JillianWallach.com

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