Winners announced of SOUND BITES festival of 10-minute musicals which was held this past Monday evening at The 47th Street Theatre in New York City and produced by Theatre Now New York. Over 50 entries were received during the submission period. A panel of 12 adjudicators selected the top 10 finalists, which were performed to an appreciative sell-out crowd.
The finalists offered audience members a dazzling variety of musical styles, dramatic content and theatrical presentation, from the musical re-staging of an ancient Greek tragedy to a whimsical farce in which a man reincarnated as a parrot becomes a pet in his former wife's home.
A five-judge panel of theatre industry professionals evaluated the 10 finalists and selected the top piece in each "Best Of" category. "I'm feeling very optimistic about the future of the American musical theatre," remarked Marcus Woolen of
Music Theatre International and one of the judges, "there's some great new work being written."
BEST MUSICAL
A Relative Relationship
Book, Music & Lyrics by
Timothy Huang
BEST DIRECTION
Evan Pappas, Some Place Like Home
BEST MUSIC
The Oedipus Project: Antigone
Music & Lyrics by Kyle C. Norris
BEST ACTOR
Hansel Tan, A Relative Relationship
BEST ACTRESS
Katie Whetsell, Finding the Words
AUDIENCE FAVORITE (by audience vote)
Singing Dixie: A Country Jukebox Musical
Book by Caitlin Gallo
The work of 16 writers, lyricists and composers were represented with a total of over 70 performers, musicians, directors, choreographers and music directors participated in the evening's presentations.
The ten finalists presented in the SOUND BITES Festival were:
A Relative Relationship Book, Music & Lyrics by
Timothy Huang
Finding the Words Book & Lyrics by Andy Roninson &
Chris Critelli, Music by Andy Roninson
Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot Music by Matt
Patrick Walsh, Book and Lyrics by
Nathan Brisby
JUICE: Based on the O.J. Simpson Trial Book & Lyrics by Patricia Bebe McGarry, Music by
Gabe Greene
Singing Dixie: A Country Jukebox Musical By Caitlin Gallo
SLAM! Book & Lyrics by Danielle Trzcinski, Music by Jonathon Lynch
Some Place Like Home Book, Music & Lyrics by
Adam Gwon
The Charm Book & Lyrics by Christiana Little, Music by
David Shenton
The Giver Book & Lyrics by Nathan Christensen, Music by Scott Murphy
The Oedipus Project: Antigone Adapted by Sarah Norris, Music & Lyrics by Kyle Norris
Each musical competed for Festival Awards and for inclusion in future programs with the creative team of Theatre Now New York. Sound Bites offers a unique opportunity for talented writers, composers, and lyricists to showcase their work publicly in front of a live audience.
Stephen Bishop Seely, Producer for the SOUND BITES Festival, said he was "so thrilled to have a great group of amazing writers and I have no doubt they will write some fantastic shows in the future." He added that "SOUND BITES had an incredible array of material and it was wonderful seeing each show performed at what was an exciting, face-paced evening this past Monday on December 9th!"
The festival was presented as a benefit and the proceeds of SOUND BITES will support Theatre Now's programs to develop new plays and musicals. In keeping with this mission, SOUND BITES' goal is to seek out and cultivate new writers and composers and develop new musicals. In order to raise funds for this important work, the festival is presented as a benefit so Theatre Now NY can continue to promote the understanding and appreciation of
Live Theatre and its process to the general public and provide opportunities for emerging, mid-career and established theatre professional in their ongoing creative process.
Music Theatre International (MTI) joined SOUND BITES as a sponsor of the Festival.
Thomas Morrissey, Artistic Director for Theatre Now New York, said "as a leading licensor for musicals, having the support of MTI is significant and a huge vote of confidence for the writers involved and it was so great to have them with us."
Theatre Now New York is a professional theatre company whose history originates with two established companies - the
Genesius Theatre Guild in New York City and ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ. Theatre Now New York brings together the founding principles of both these companies; developmental work and main stage theatrical productions. The mission of Theatre Now New York is to facilitate the creation and development of new theatrical works, the reimagining of previously produced known titles and the reinterpretation of classic works through readings, productions, workshops and work-in-progress presentations and to promote the understanding and appreciation of
Live Theatre and its process by the general public and provides opportunities for emerging, mid-career and established theatre professional in their ongoing creative process. In keeping with this mission, Sound Bites' goal is to seek out and cultivate new writers and composers and develop new musicals. For more information on Theatre Now New York and to join their mailing list visit their website at
www.tnny.org
For more information about SOUND BITES, visit
www.soundbites.tnny.org.
For more information about Theatre Now New York, visit
www.TNNY.org
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