Original Musical Selections Announced for 2016 ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop

Four exciting new original musical works -- Joe Schmoe Saves the World, Gold Mountain, Comic-Con the Musical and Legendale -- chosen from a record 146 submissions will be the focal point of The 2016 ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop in Partnership with DreamWorks and The Wallis on Feb. 16 - 18, 2016.

For the first time, the Workshop will be presented at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and be open to the public. The three-day event features selected composers and lyricists presenting their original works-in-progress for professional critique with accompanying expert panel discussions composed of prominent musical theatre guests including producers, directors, performers and composers. A special Musical Theater Songwriting Master Class with ASCAP Workshop Artistic Director and Tony, Oscar, and Grammy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz will conclude the workshop on Thurs., Feb. 18. Tickets for the workshop are FREE and are now available for reservation at TheWallis.org or 310-746-4000.

"We were overwhelmed by the quality of submissions we received," said Stephen Schwartz. "The four works chosen displayed a certain level of promise that we believe could develop into a fantastic finished musical. We are excited to be a part of the six emerging composers and lyricists' journey."

"It is a rare opportunity to get an insider's look into the creative process of developing a new original musical work," said Paul Crewes, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts' new Artistic Director who takes the reins full time in April 2016. "Audiences are in for a truly special treat as they watch Stephen guide these talented composers and lyricists through the transformations of their work."

Tickets for The ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshops at The Wallis are FREE and available at TheWallis.org, by calling 310-746-4000, or in person at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210

About the Selections:

Joe Schmoe Saves The World
Book, Music & Lyrics by Brett Rybeck
Set amidst the 2011 Arab Spring, Joe Schmoe Saves the World tells the parallel stories of an indie rock duo in America and a pair of Iranian students in Tehran. Raging against conformity, fear and the status quo, the two young women at the center risk everything in an attempt to change the world through their art (25 min). Presented on Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30pm.

Gold Mountain
Book, Music & Lyrics by Jason Ma
Set against the backdrop of a key moment in California and America's history, the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, Gold Mountain celebrates the striving immigrant spirit, the redemptive power of love and the ultimate nobility of self-sacrifice (25 min). Presented on Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30pm.

Comic-Con the Musical
Book by Nicholas David Brandt
Music & Lyrics by Laura Watkins
The lives of three Comic-Con attendees change forever when a film icon pulls a 'Willy Wonka' and offers to make one special person's dream come true. Of course, they also have to contend with an egotistical idea thief, a run on nachos, and oh yeah, actual aliens. What did you expect from Comic-Con the Musical? (25 min). Presented on Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30pm.

Legendale
Book & Lyrics by Jeff Bienstock
Music by Andrea Daly
Legendale is an original, contemporary comedy about the power of fantasy. Andy's favorite way to escape his humdrum life is the online game "Legendale." He dreams of victory in the game's tournament, but is stuck competing as a lowly milkmaid. When the fantasy becomes real, Andy and his avatar must both discover their inner warrior. Legendale blends romance, adventure and virtual reality with a pop-infused score (25 min). Presented on Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30pm.

About The 2016 ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop in Partnership with DreamWorks Studios and The Wallis: The ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop-led by artistic director Stephen Schwartz, a Tony, Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricist whose credits include the Broadway smash Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, as well as the Walt Disney films Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the DreamWorks' film The Prince of Egypt-is a three-day event composed of various workshop sessions featuring prominent guests from all aspects of musical theatre, including producers, directors, critics, performers and composers. Past panelists have included Lynn Ahrens (Tony Award-winning lyricist: Ragtime); Stephen Flaherty (Tony Award-winning composer: Ragtime); Sheldon Harnick (Tony Award-winning lyricist: Fiddler on the Roof); Mark Hollmann (Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist: Urinetown); Rupert Holmes (Tony Award-winning librettist and composer/lyricist: Drood); and David Zippel (Tony winning lyricist: City of Angeles).