Peter Schneider Directs MATA HARI IN 8 BULLETS at NYMF, Now thru 7/20

New York: MATA HARI IN 8 BULLETS is an official selection of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Conceived and composed byDavid Rhymer, lyrics Blake Brooker and David Rhymer, choreographed by Odette Heyn directed by Peter Schneider and starringOnalea Gilbertson as Mata Hari. Performances will begin today, July 8 - 20th at Signature Center's Studio Theater (480 W 42nd St). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.nymf.com or calling (212) 352-3101.

Award-winning chanteuse Onalea Gilbertson conjures a fever dream into the heart, mind and soul of Mata Hari - erotic dancer, courtesan, and international superstar. Imprisoned by the French on charges of espionage during World War I, Mata Hari went from being Europe's most desired woman to its most despised. One of the most misunderstood women of the 20th century gets her chance at redemption in this unique musical blending art song and burlesque.

MATA HARI IN 8 BULLETS is being brought to NY by a collaboration of amazing award winning talents. They include the multi award winning and internationally acclaimed performer, Onalea. Gilbertson, who returns to NYMF for her third time, in 2011 her stand-out production of BLANCHE, was a top pick of 2011 by the Huffington Post. David Rhymer is one of the most respected, prolific, original and talented music theatre composers working in Canada today and lyricist Blake Brooker is an award winning director, author and a founding co-artistic director of Canada's famous One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre. MATA HARI IN 8 BULLETS is being directed by the Tony Award winning producer of The Lion King and director of Sister Act, London, Peter Schneider, Odette Heyn will provide the choreography, and is the esteemed co-founder and co-director of Winnipeg contemporary dancers; her work has been seen around the world. Bringing the team together is producer Charlie Fink whose last four festival productions all won best show, most recently his 2012 NYMF production of Michael Ogden's Baby Case which swept the awards with a historic win in all major categories, including best show, best composer, and best director, with honorable mentions in every other category. Creative team also includes: Costume Design by Jannell Berte, Lighting Design by Zach Blane, Stage Manager Jesse Vacchiano. Gilbertson and Rhymer collaborations are supported by Canadian government as they present their work internationally.

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.

Now in its tenth year, the Festival is the largest musical theatre event in America. The preeminent site for launching new musicals and discovering new talent, the Festival provides a affordable platform for artists to mount professional productions that reach their peers, industry leaders, and musical theater fans. More than 85 festival shows have gone on to productions on and off-Broadway, in 48 states, and more than 20 countries worldwide, and Festival alumni have received a wide array of awards including the Tony and the Pulitzer Prize. In 2013, NYMF received a special Drama Desk Award in recognition of its work "creating and nurturing new musical theater, ensuring the future of this essential art form."

NYMF is the flagship program of National Music Theater Network, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. NYMF 2013 is presented in association with Dunkin' Donuts, BroadwayWorld.com, Production Resource Group, and TheaterMania.com, and is supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and 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. Major supporters include The ASCAP Foundation, BMI Foundation, Inc., The BWF Foundation, Con Edison, The Nathan Cummings Foundation with the support and encouragement of Jamie Mayer Phinney, The New Musical Development Foundation, The Jerome Robbins Foundation, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and The Theater League.

NYMF Memberships, which combine charitable contributions with valuable, flexible ticket packages and perks like early seating, and tickets to individual events, are currently available for purchase at (212) 352-3101 or www.nymf.org.