Latin Hip-Hop Musical Kingdom Reigns at NYMF, Sept. 13-23

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and Latin Kingdom Entertainment will present Kingdom. Performances will take place from September 13, 2006 through September 23, 2006 at TBG Theater (312 West 36th Street). The official opening is set for Saturday, September 16th at 8pm.

"Who can you turn to when the world turns its back o­n you? Kingdom chronicles the story of Andres and Juan, two kids from the barrio who quit their dead-end jobs and join well-known underground empowerment organization the Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation in search of honor and respect. When tragedy rocks the group, struggle for leadership of the Nation tears the two friends apart with devastating results. The show is inspired by the real-life stories of current and former members of the Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation in New Haven and New York City. How far will you let your pride take you?," as the show is described in production notes.  Featuring an original hip-hop/rock/Latin score by newcomers Aaron Jafferis & Ian Williams, Kingdom will be directed by Louis Moreno.

The 7-member cast features Marisa Echeverría (Points of Departure), Michael Improta, Ronny Mercedes (Captain Louie), Andres Munar (Acts of Mercy: passion-play), Flaco Navaja (Russel Simmon's Def Poetry Jam and The Seven), Gio Perez and Gerardo Rodriguez.

Kingdom features music by Ian Williams and words by Aaron Jafferis . Both writers are graduates of New York University's MFA Musical Theatre Writing program. Williams has composed several original musicals, including story of an African Farm and SkidZoeFranNya. Jafferis has performed his hip hop poetry at Madison Square Garden, the Kennedy Center, and the National Poetry Slam Championships, where he was the 1997 Open Rap Slam champion; his solo hip hop play, No Lie, has been seen at Long Wharf Theatre, H.E.R.E., the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, the Nuyorican Poet's Café, and at colleges and high schools around the country.  Kingdom received developmental readings at the Public Theater's New Work Now! Series and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
 
The design team features Arnulfo Maldonado (set/costume design), Cat Tate (lighting design) and Ezekial Kendrick (sound design). Tom Berger will musical direct.  It will be produced by Eric Louie.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, now in its third year, is a three-week event in NYC that has premiered over 70 musicals in its first two years, becoming the largest musical theatre event in American history. Hailed as "the Sundance of Musical Theatre," it is now widely regarded among the entertainment industry as the key source for new material and talent discovery.

Kingdom plays at TBG Theater as follows: Wednesday, September 13 at 8pm, Friday, September 15 at 4:30pm, Saturday, September 16 at 4:30pm and 8pm, Tuesday, September 19 at 8pm, & Saturday, September 23 at 1pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased o­nline at www.nymf.org or by calling (212) 352-3101.

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