Montalban, Hanlon, Koplin & More Star In NYMF's WHATEVER MAN At 45th Street Theatre 9/29-10/8

The New York Musical Theatre Festival presents the world premiere of WHATEVER MAN a new American musical with book, music and lyrics by Benjamin Strouse. WHATVER MAN runs September 29th at 8:00pm, September 30th at 1:00pm, October 2nd at 7:30pm, October 3rd at 1:00 pm, October 4th 8:00pm, and October 8th at 1:00pm at the 45th Street Theatre (354 W. 45th Street).

For all his good intentions, Charlie Weiss just can't get it together. But everything changes after his strong-willed girlfriend, Anna Pink, forces him into a self-help group where Charlie encounters disturbed Superheros--The Swan, Ice Man and the legendary Mr. Perfect---desperate to share their troubles. When their petty squabbles escalate, will Charlie choose to save the world, his relationship or himself? Whatever Man.

The cast features: Paolo Montalban (The King and I and Pacific Overtures on Broadway, ABC/Disney telepic of Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because), Russell Arden Koplin (Les Miserables, James Joyce's The Dead), Kristin Maloney (The Streets of New York, How Now, Dow Jones), David Andrew Anderson (The Wild Party, Man of La Mancha), Andy Gale (Side Show, Rags), and Austin Ku (The Pirates of Penzance, Anything Goes).

WHATEVER MAN is directed by Hilary Adams (2004 Drama Desk Nominee, Outstanding Director, Moby Dick, Love Jerry, NYMF 2009; Assistant Director: AIDA, Titanic, Flower Drum Song on Broadway) and choreographed by Dax Valdes (Pinkalicious, The Musical, A (Tooth) Fairy Tale) with musical direction by Ed Rosenberg (Bang-On-A-Can Marathon, Jerseyband).

The set is designed by Ken Larson (Beechwood Drive, Rum and Coke) and the lighting is designed by Julian Rad (Moby Dick, The Kids Left, the Dog Died, Now What, Love Jerry). Costume design is by Elizabeth Dellario (Broadway Bares 19, Pamela's First Musical), sound design is by Andy Parsegian (The Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, EST) and the fight director is Michael Yahn (Spring Awakening, The Lieutenant of Inishmore).

Tickets for WHATEVER MAN are $20, and the show plays at the 45th Street Theater (354 W. 45th Street) from September 29- October 8, 2009. Tickets go on sale September 1st and can be purchased by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.nymf.org.

For more information: www.WhateverManOnstage.com or www.nymf.org.

Benjamin Strouse (book, music, lyrics) Benjamin is proud to make his theatrical debut with WHATEVER MAN. Other musical projects include: Bachelor Party, Mahmoud the Terrorist, and an as-of-yet unnamed children's musical he hopes will one day find favor with his two boys, Sam & Arthur.

Hailed as "the Sundance of Musical Theatre," The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) exists to revitalize one of America's greatest art forms by discovering, supporting and promoting new musical theater artists, producers, and projects, and by introducing a diverse audience to the vibrancy of contemporary musical theater. Since its inception in 2004, the three-week annual festival has premiered more than 130 new musicals - many of which have gone on to award-winning productions in New York, in regional theaters and on tour in 38 states, and nine countries worldwide. NYMF 2004 hit Altar Boyz has played well over 1,000 performances off-Broadway and is now in its fourth year at New World Stages; fellow NYMF alum [title of show] recently began performances at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway.

NYMF is the flagship program of National Music Theater Network, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

NYMF 2009 is presented in association with BroadwayWorld.com, Production Resource Group and TheaterMania.com, and is supported by Back Stage, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, BroadwayBox.com, BroadwayInsider.com, Broadway.TV, Clear Channel Spectacolor, DFD-TV, Frank & Camille's Fine Pianos, King Displays, Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, New World Stages, NASDAQ OMX, Next Magazine, PMD Promotions, Queerty.com, Reuters, Sweet Caroline's, Tekserve, TheMenEvent.com, The Tank, and Times Square Squared. Major supporters include The ASCAP Foundation, BMI Foundation, Inc., The Nathan Cummings Foundation with the support and encouragement of Jamie Mayer, The Charlie & Jane Fink Charitable Fund, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and The Theater League. NYMF is supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council. NYMF's programs are made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.