Hunter Foster, Wesley Taylor & More to Lead Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's 2013 National Music Theater Conference Selections

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center has announced cast members for the 2013 National Music Theater Conference. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Paulette Haupt, the Conference will run from June 22 to July 12 and will develop three new musicals.

The conference will feature many returning veterans as well as actors making their O'Neill debuts. Newcomers include Hunter Foster ("Bobby Strong," Urinetown - Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics nominations) and Sara Gettelfinger ("Carla," Nine; "Jolene," Dirty Rotten Scoundrels); returning actors include Veronica Kuehn, currently starring in Avenue Q as "Kate Monster"/"Lucy, " Wesley Taylor, two-season featured actor in the TV hit "Smash;" and Kate Wetherhead (Legally Blonde, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee).

In announcing this year's actors, Ms. Haupt remarks, "Casts at the National Music Theater Conference play a vital role in the development of new work. The professionalism with which they bring characters to life enables our resident authors and composers to objectively learn what yet remains to be written to convey the intended storylines. We are grateful for the superb talent that joins us this summer."

Broadcast: book and lyrics by Nathan Christensen; music by Scott Murphy; with public staged readings June 22, 23, 26, and 28, featuring cast members Farah Alvin,Whitney Bashor, Jonathan Hadley, Chris McCarrell, Theresa McCarthy, Tommy McDowell, Wesley Taylor, and Jared Zirilli.

The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes: book and lyrics by Christopher Dimond; music by Michael Kooman; with public staged readings June 29, 30, July 3, and July 5, featuring cast members Harris Doran, Natalie Charle Ellis, Hunter Foster, Sara Gettelfinger, Olli Haaskivi, James Judy, Veronica Kuehn, Hannah Laird, Sergi Robles, Sarah Stiles, Price Waldman, and Kate Wetherhead.

Goddess: book, lyrics, and music by Mkhululi Z. Mabija & Michael Thurber; with public staged readings July 6, 7, 10, and 12, featuring cast members Shaleah Adkisson, Allison Blackwell, Jonathan Burke, Cedric Cannon, Britney Coleman, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Marc Damon Johnson, Karan Kendrick, Larry Powell, and Forest VanDyke.

All performances take place at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT 06385. Schedule is subject to change. Tickets for the National Music Theater Conference performances may be purchased online at www.theoneill.org or through the box office at (860) 443-1238.