Pantochino Seeking Submissions, New Musicals For 'POW!' Festival

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc, a professional not-for-profit theatre for family audiences in Milford, Connecticut is now accepting submissions for its "POW" (Pantochino Original Works) Festival of new musicals by early career and emerging playwrights, composers and lyricists.

"We are seeking ridiculously entertaining original musicals suitable for family audiences- stories about young people and families with strong plot lines and great characters," said co-producer Bert Bernardi. "We are looking for entertaining, engaging new musicals by early career and/or emerging writers and composers," he added. "This is such an exciting 'next step' for Pantochino as we continue to grow."

"Our hope is to give new voices from a young generation the opportunity to have their work read, heard and performed," added co-producer Jimmy Johansmeyer. "An early career or emerging writer/composer could be anyone who identifies as such, someone without the advantage of being published or having a major production to their credit." The producers noted submissions written by children will not be considered.

Submissions of new musicals will be open from June 1 - December 1, 2018. Three works will be chosen to be a performed as staged readings during a weekend-long festival in March 2019. Committee selections will be made by January 30, 2019. Winning writing teams will be invited to attend the performance weekend and the selected musicals will be considered for full production by Pantochino in 2020.

Pantochino Productions Inc begins it's eighth season of presenting 100% original musical theatre for family audiences. Founded by Bernardi and Johansmeyer, the company has presented over twenty original musicals presented at the Milford Arts Council Center for the Arts in downtown Milford. The company has been recognized by the nation's top website for theatre, BroadwayWorld, with several awards including Best Family Musical, Best Original/New Work, and Best Musical, and has recently been honored by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce with the Cultural Contribution Award of Distinction. Pantochino also produces an acclaimed Teen Theatre program, a popular After School Drama program in area schools and partners with the Milford Arts Council for its Summer Theatre Camp and Nite Spot Nights series.

Full details on the submission process and requirements for the POW Festival can be found online at www.pantochino.com/pow-festival/