Rob Ackerman News

NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (NYMF), MONICA RAYMUND of SISU THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, and CAVE 76 PRODUCTIONS are pleased to announce that after being on sale for only ten days, the world premiere production of VOLLEYGIRLS starring [title of show]'s Susan Blackwell is the first 2013 NYMF show to sell-out, allowing them to add two more performances to accommodate audiences. The new performances will beTuesday, July 23 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 27 at 1:30 p.m. at The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre (The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, NY, NY 10036).

THE NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, MONICA RAYMUND of SISU THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, and CAVE 76 PRODUCTIONS are pleased to announce the world premiere production of VOLLEYGIRLS, with book by Rob Ackerman (Tabletop - 2001 Drama Desk), lyrics by Sam Forman (book for F#%king Up Everything), music by Eli Bolin (I Sing, Roller Boogie TV: Sesame Street), musical supervision by Matt Castle, choreographed by Ryan Kasprzak (TV: Smash Tour: Billy Elliot), musical direction by Mike Pettry and directed by Neil Patrick Stewart (LA theatre: The Elephant Man - Ovation Award nominations). VOLLEYGIRLS will play a limited engagement at Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street, NY, NY 10036). Performances begin Monday, July 15 and continue through Saturday, July 27. Opening Night is Monday, July 15 (9 p.m.).

MONICA RAYMUND of SISU THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, CAVE 76 PRODUCTIONS and THE NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (NYMF) are pleased to announce that [title of show]'s Susan Blackwell will return to the 10th Anniversary New York Musical Theatre Festival in the world premiere production of VOLLEYGIRLS. Blackwell will play a disgraced Olympian coaching an oddball team of high-school volleyball players in this new girl-powered musical with book by Rob Ackerman (Tabletop - 2001 Drama Desk), lyrics by Sam Forman (upcoming Bway Sleepless in Seattle, book for F#%king Up Everything), music by Eli Bolin (I Sing, Roller Boogie TV: Sesame Street), choreographed by Ryan Kasprazak (TV: Smash Tour: Billy Elliot) and directed by Neil Patrick Stewart (LA theatre: The Elephant Man - Ovation Award nominations). Television star Monica Raymund of NBC's Chicago Fire is making her debut as a lead produce because she believes in, and is inspired by, the show's positive message of self-acceptance and empowerment for young women.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the 2013 full productions for its 10th annual festival. This year's Festival will begin July 8th and continue through July 28th. An additional slate of special events, free events, staged readings and several educational panel discussions will be announced shortly.

Working Theater, the 28-year-old Off-Broadway company, in collaboration with Magnum Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the Magnum Photos legacy and supporting photography around social justice issues, have joined forces to present Ed Cardona, Jr.'s LA RUTA, a world premiere immigration-themed play that will be staged inside the trailer and cab of an actual 48' truck. An accompanying photographic installation about the immigrant experience will also be presented.

Working Theater, the 28-year-old Off-Broadway company, in collaboration with Magnum Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the Magnum Photos legacy and supporting photography around social justice issues, have joined forces to present Ed Cardona, Jr.'s LA RUTA, a world premiere immigration-themed play that will be staged inside the trailer and cab of an actual 48' truck. An accompanying photographic installation about the immigrant experience will also be presented.

And now for something completely different! The next offering on the Kitchen Theatre's 22nd Main Stage season is a world premiere by award winning playwright, actor and HBO Def Poet Brian Dykstra*. A solo performance that combines standup comedy with storytelling, rabble rousing and down-home preaching, Brian Dykstra Selling Out runs November 28th to December 16th at the Kitchen Theatre in downtown Ithaca. Previews are November 28, 29, and 30, Opening Night is December 1st, and performances continue through December 16, 2012.

ISLAND SONG, a new musical anthology with music by Derek Gregor and words by Sam Carner, will have a one-night-only developmental concert at (le) Poisson Rouge tonight, November 12, 2012. Showtime is at 7PM. Doors open at 6PM.

ISLAND SONG, a new musical anthology with music by Derek Gregor and words by Sam Carner, will have a one-night-only developmental concert at (le) Poisson Rouge Monday, November 12, 2012. Showtime is at 7PM. Doors open at 6PM.

New York Theatre Barn will present a free private reading of the new musical Costs of Living tonight, November 7 and 8 in the Theatre District.

New York Theatre Barn will present a free private reading of the new musical Costs of Living November 7 and 8 in the Theatre District. Jose Llana (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Enrico Rodriguez (Zanna, Don't!, Rent) will star. Costs of Living, with book, music and lyrics by Timothy Huang, was a selection of Stephen Schwartz's 2012 ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop and a 2012 American Harmony Prize finalist.

ISLAND SONG, a new musical anthology with music by Derek Gregor and words by Sam Carner, will have a one-night-only developmental concert at (le) Poisson Rouge Monday, November 12, 2012. Showtime is at 7PM. Doors open at 6PM.

Working Theater presents the Off-Broadway production of The Best of TheaterWorks!: Stories from the 99%. The production will feature six of the best short plays to come out of Working Theater's TheaterWorks! program. The 10-year old program teaches working men and women (bus drivers, doormen, 911 operators, DMV workers etc.) to write and perform their own short plays about their experiences at work. The classes end with a stage reading style performance where the students are teamed with professional actors and directors. This production however will be fully realized by a professional cast and crew.

Working Theater presents the Off-Broadway production of The Best of TheaterWorks!: Stories from the 99%. The production will feature six of the best short plays to come out of Working Theater's TheaterWorks! program. The 10-year old program teaches working men and women (bus drivers, doormen, 911 operators, DMV workers etc.) to write and perform their own short plays about their experiences at work. The classes end with a stage reading style performance where the students are teamed with professional actors and directors. This production however will be fully realized by a professional cast and crew.

Oberon in association with the Ministry of Theater will present a pre-New York tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL!, an unautherized parody of the classic film Roller Boogie, from May 30 to August 30 at Oberon in Cambridge Massachusetts, with its world premiere opening night on June 13. With executive producer Pablo Rojas, Roller Disco aims to transfer to Off-Broadway in Spring 2013.

Oberon in association with the Ministry of Theater will present a pre-New York tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL!, an unautherized parody of the classic film Roller Boogie, from tonight, May 30 to August 30 at Oberon in Cambridge Massachusetts, with its world premiere opening night on June 13. With executive producer Pablo Rojas, Roller Disco aims to transfer to Off-Broadway in Spring 2013.