Meet the Stars of NYMF: CJ Eldred of CLAUDIO QUEST

New York Musical Theatre Festival is in full swing and BroadwayWorld has taken the time to sit down with some of the stars of this years NYMF musicals.

Like any great art form, musical theatre is shaped by the events and philosophies of the day. The strength and vitality of musical theatre lie in its ability to stay fresh and relevant. It was with that idea in mind, ten years ago, that the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) was created - to provide an effective platform to introduce new shows, new perspectives, and new blood into the musical theatre canon.

MEET THE STARS OF NYMF sits down with CJ Eldred of CLAUDIO QUEST

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What's your favorite thing about performing as part of NYMF?

The whole atmosphere of NYMF is a blast to be a part of. Everything is so fresh and new. That also makes things a little crazy, but the craziness brings everyone together in a wonderful way.

Have you participated in NYMF before? If so, what's your favorite part and what drew you back to the festival?

This is my first time doing a NYMF show, but what drew me to this one is the opportunity to work on something so new, something that is really unlike any other musical I've seen.

What other NYMF show are you most intrigued by or excited to see?

I'm very intrigued by TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA. That story is just so ridiculous and ice skating and musicals seem to go together really well in my mind.

Tell us about your show/your character?

CLAUDIO QUEST lives in the world of 8 bit vintage video games and follows the perpetual hero Claudio (played by yours truly) on his quest to rescue Princess Poinsettia from an evil Platypus. He is accompanied by his not so super brother, Luis, and the butt-kicking Princess Fish. Claudio is the perfect hero in every way, except for the fact that he's going through a bit of an existential crisis. It's lonely at the top.