San Jose Rep's THE SNOW QUEEN: THE NEW MUSICAL to Play NYMF, 7/14-20

The Snow Queen:The New Musical that made its world premiere at San Jose Repertory Theatre last December, is an "Official Selection of the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival," the most prestigious musical theatre festival in the world. A full featured production of the fantastical coming-of-age tale based on Hans Christian Andersen's story was chosen as the one "Family Musical" in the annual festival that runs July 7 - July 27, 2014. Half of the original cast will return, including Jane Pfitsch, who will take time off from Cabaret on Broadway with Alan Cumming to reprise her role as the Snow Queen. The show will have five performances at The Alice Giffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center.

Show Dates: July 14, 8:00 p.m.; July 15, 1:00 p.m.; July 17, 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; July 20, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and go on-sale June 16. To purchase tickets to go: http://www.nymf.org/SnowQueen.

The Snow Queen book was adapted by Kirsten Brandt, an award-winning playwright, director and producer and currently San Jose Rep's Associate Artistic Director and Rick Lombardo, San Jose Rep's Producing Artistic Director, whose many award-winning productions include Sweeney Todd, The Clean House, Waiting for Godot and A Streetcar Named Desire. The music was composed by Haddon Kime, a composer, songwriter and sound designer whose original adaptations include Scapin and A Christmas Carol, and two IRNE awards for best original music and sound design. The lyrics were created by Kirsten Brandt, Haddon Kime and Rick Lombardo, with additional music by Rick Lombardo, who directed the world premiere and will direct the festival production.

Mary Kate Burke, the Director of Programming for the 2014 Festival said in the official announcement, "... audiences will have a chance to experience a wide range of stories told in fresh and inventive ways for a contemporary audience, from a steam-punk inspired Hans Christian Andersen tale for a family audience ..."

Since its inception in 2004, The New York Musical Theatre Festival has premiered hundreds of new musicals - 90 of which have gone on to award-winning productions in New York, in regional theaters in almost every state, and in over 20 countries worldwide. Over 20 NYMF alumni shows have gone on to enjoy off-Broadway runs, and three NYMF shows have gone on to Broadway productions, including Chaplin, [title of show], and the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal.

"We're thrilled at this extraordinary opportunity to showcase our original creation at the distinguished New York Musical Theatre Festival," said Rick Lombardo, director of The Snow Queen and one of three adapters and creators of the show. "This is an incredible honor and the three of us couldn't be prouder."

ARTISTIC COLLABORATORS

Kirsten Brandt (BOOK, LYRICS) directed San Jose Rep's productions of The Big Meal, Next Fall, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (which she also adapted), Legacy of Light, Groundswell, Splitting Infinity, This Wonderful Life and Rabbit Hole. She co-wrote The Snow Queen, which had its world premiere at San Jose Rep last December. Regionally, she has directed for The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, TheatreWorks, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, San Diego Repertory Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Sierra Repertory Theatre and Diversionary Theatre. She was the Executive Artistic Director of Sledgehammer Theatre from 1999-2005 where she directed over a dozen productions including Macbeth and the world premiere of A Knife in the Heart. She is the author of The Thinning Veil; The Waves; The Frankenstein Project; NU and Berzerkergäng. Her adaptation of Ibsen's A Doll's House premiered at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre in 2013. She is the recipient of numerous KPBS Awards, a Backstage West Garland Award and two San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards. Ms. Brandt is a faculty member in the Theatre Arts and Digital Arts New Media (DANM) departments at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is an alumna of University of California, San Diego.

Haddon Kime (MUSIC/LYRICS) is an Atlanta-based composer, songwriter and sound designer. His work has been heard in the San Jose Rep productions of Game On, As You Like It and The Death of The Novel. Other original musical adaptations include Scapin, and A Christmas Carol. His off-Broadway credits include The Atheist (with Chris Pine), Haymarket, and The Blowin of Baile Gall. His regional work includes By The Way, Meet Vera Stark and Managing Maxine for the Alliance Theatre; A Streetcar Named Desire and The Pillowman for New Repertory Theatre; and Richard III for Georgia Shakespeare. Mr. Kime is the winner of the 2004 & 2007 IRNE awards for best original music/sound design as well as the recipient of a 2009 TANNE Foundation Award for Artistic Excellence.

Rick Lombardo (DIRECTOR/BOOK & LYRICS) is in his sixth season at San Jose Rep where his productions have included Game On, The Snow Queen, The Death of the Novel, Disconnect, God of Carnage, A Christmas Carol, Spring Awakening, Love in American Times, The Dresser, Black Pearl Sings!, The Weir and As You Like It. He was previously the artistic director for 13 seasons at New Repertory Theatre in Boston and, in 2009, was awarded the Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence from the Boston Theater Critics Association for his work. His more than thirty productions there included award-winning productions of The Clean House, Sweeney Todd, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, A Streetcar Named Desire, Ragtime, and Waiting for Godot. His production of Bill W. and Dr. Bob enjoyed an extensive run off-Broadway. His work has also been seen at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Arizona Theatre Company, New York City's Town Hall, Opera Boston, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, The Actors Shakespeare Project, Porthouse Theater, and The Berkshire Theatre Festival, among others. He was co-director of the theatre program at Fordham University's College at Lincoln Center, and founding artistic director of the off-Broadway Stillwater Theatre Company in New York. He is an Executive Board member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley. He lives in San Jose with his wife, actress Rachel Harker, and daughter.

About the New York Musical Festival: The New York Musical Festival 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.

About San Jose Rep: San Jose Rep is the flagship theatre of San Jose and the only fully professional, non-profit theatre company in the South Bay, presenting seven main-stage productions each year. Now in its 34th year as a major contributor to the South Bay's cultural community, San Jose Rep's mission is to engage, entertain, and inspire people. San Jose Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote lifelong learning, and outreach initiatives that benefit our diverse community. For more information, visit www.SJRep.com.