New Musical HEADVOICE Set for NYMF

HEADVOICE, a new musical featuring book, music and lyrics by Ethan Andersen, will be presented in the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Eric is writing a musical about his life. But instead of actors, he's using voices - the voices in his head. Frustrated with his writing and his relationship with his mother, Eric brings his "head voices" to life, and together they begin to musicalize his story. With a bright and jazzy score inspired by the music of New Orleans, HEADVOICE is a witty and moving original musical that tells the story of a young composer growing up and discovering love, loss and the power of music.

The cast of HEADVOICE will feature Ethan Andersen as Eric, with Nicole Dalto (The Hole at St. Clement's; Next Thing You Know and Edges at Provincetown Playhouse), Katie Emerson (National Tour,How the Grinch Stole Christmas; Musicals Tonight!'s Whooppee!) and Matthew Summers (Big Fish at the Aurora Fox Theatre; Midtown Arts Center's Spamalot and South Pacific).

Composer, lyricist and librettist Ethan Andersen is a New Orleans native and NYC resident who has worked across the country as a performer, music director and accompanist. A BFA graduate of Elon University, he has performed and music directed at 54 Below, the Metropolitan Room and the Laurie Beechman.

HEADVOICE began as a short song cycle called Falling Up: a song cycle. The piece was presented for a short run in 2010 in New Orleans. Andersen continued to work on the show throughout his college education at Elon University and made it his thesis project. The musical received a casual workshop session with Adam Guettel during his visit to Elon's campus. In May, 2014, HEADVOICE received a full production at Elon University, produced by the Department of Performing Arts.

HEADVOICE will be directed and choreographed by Charlie Johnson, who has performed at such venues as Paper Mill Playhouse and the 5th Avenue Theatre. Johnson recently debuted his cabaret act, CHARLIE! Anything But Basic, at the Metropolitan Room. He has a BFA from Elon University.

Lighting Design is by Alicia Varcoe, the lighting designer for 54 Below. Andrea Jess Berkey is the production stage manager. Her Off-Broadway credits include productions at Soho Rep, MCC, Cherry Lane and Manhattan Theatre Club as well as the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Hannah Bergere is the assistant stage manager.

HEADVOICE will be performed at Theater 3 on Friday, July 17 at 8pm; Sunday, July 19 at 12pm; Wednesday, July 22 at 9pm; Thursday, July 23 at 1pm; and Saturday, July 25 at 9pm.

Tickets ($27.50) and NYMF Passes are available by visiting www.nymf.org/headvoice.

Theater 3 is located at 311 West 43rd Street in New York City.