Michael Kooman News

Stephen Schwartz hosts NYMF / ASCAP Foundation Songwriter Showcase featuring the 2012 NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation Grand Finalists

Stephen Schwartz hosts NYMF / ASCAP Foundation Songwriter Showcase featuring the 2012 NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation Grand Finalists

Johnny Mercer Foundation and Kaufman Center present 'New Music from The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project' tonight, October 11 at Merkin Hall as part of the Kaufman Center Broadway Close Up Series. The evening, celebrating the first seven years of the Johnny Mercer Foundation's Songwriters Project at Northwestern University, will feature faculty members, Broadway composers and Tony nominees Craig Carnelia (Is There Life After High School?) and Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family), Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lari White and cabaret performer Marilyn Maye with Mike Renzi.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today updated casting for the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals and for the Songwriters Showcase that Tony nominee Nancy Opel and Tony winner and NAMT alum Joe DiPietro (O. Henry's Lovers '98) will host as part of the Festival on Friday, October 12 from 1:20-2:30pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Eight finalists have been chosen to compete in the grand finale of the 7th Annual NYMF Next Broadway Sensation (NBS) competition on October 12th at 11pm at New World Stages. Over 200 people auditioned for NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival's annual performance competition is showcasing some incredible talent for two more weeks -- so don't miss out!

Johnny Mercer Foundation and Kaufman Center present 'New Music from The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project' on October 11 at Merkin Hall as part of the Kaufman Center Broadway Close Up Series. The evening, celebrating the first seven years of the Johnny Mercer Foundation's Songwriters Project at Northwestern University, will feature faculty members, Broadway composers and Tony nominees Craig Carnelia (Is There Life After High School?) and Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family), Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lari White and cabaret performer Marilyn Maye with Mike Renzi.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today that Tony nominee Nancy Opel and Tony winner and NAMT alum Joe DiPietro (O. Henry's Lovers '98) will host the NAMT Songwriters Showcase as part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Friday, October 12 from 1:20-2:30pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The Kennedy Center hosts its 11th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival from today, September 1, 2012 to Monday, September 3, 2012, featuring more than 40 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The three-day, Center-wide event offers a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals being developed by local, regional, and national playwrights, librettists, and composers.

The Kennedy Center hosts its 11th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival from Saturday, September 1, 2012 to Monday, September 3, 2012, featuring more than 40 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The three-day, Center-wide event offers a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals being developed by local, regional, and national playwrights, librettists, and composers.

For 12 years, Merkin Concert Hall's Broadway Close Up series has been taking audiences behind the scenes of classic musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances. The annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway gives theater lovers sneak peeks at some of the best new shows in production. This season's line-up includes:

PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW (PYMK) Cabaret Series, will present version 3.0 in its popular evening of songs dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the work of new composing artists and the work that has been influential in shaping them. Featured in PYMK version 3.0 will be the works of Jeff Blumenkrantz (recipient of the 2012 Fred Ebb Award); Barry Anderson & Mark Petty ("The Songwriter's Union"); and Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond ("Dani Girl"), along with the works that inspired them. PYMK version 3.0 continues tonight, August 9 at 9:00pm at the Triad Theatre (158 W. 72nd Street) in Manhattan.

The Human Race Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals, has announced the three-play line-up for its 2012 Festival of New Musicals.

The American Theatre Wing today announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Jonathan Larson Grants. The grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers, help to continue Tony Award-winning composer Jonathan Larson's dream of infusing musical theatre with a contemporary, joyful, urban vitality.

PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW (PYMK) Cabaret Series, will present version 3.0 in its popular evening of songs dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the work of new composing artists and the work that has been influential in shaping them. Featured in PYMK version 3.0 will be the works of Jeff Blumenkrantz (recipient of the 2012 Fred Ebb Award); Barry Anderson & Mark Petty ("The Songwriter's Union"); and Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond ("Dani Girl"), along with the works that inspired them. Performances of PYMK version 3.0 will be tonight, July 30 at 7:00pm and Thursday, August 9 at 9:00pm at the Triad Theatre (158 W. 72nd Street) in Manhattan.

In New York City, we're fortunate enough to have access to a bevvy of theatre-related events -- many of which are free or low-cost -- to enjoy on the days we can't get to a show. Here are a few that I have hand-picked: the events about which I'm the most excited. These ones get the official BroadwayGirlNYC stamp of approval for the month of August.

Cutting-Edge Composers presented the next generation of musical theatre songwriters last night, July 23 at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). The event was directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins and Musically Directed by Virginia Hart Pike. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities and we bring you photos from the star-studded concert below!

After sold-out shows at the Canal Room and the Laurie Beechman, Cutting-Edge Composers brings its latest concert to NYMF tonight, July 23rd at 7 and 9:30 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). Up-and-coming musical theatre writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers at the concert directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins, and musically directed by Virginia Hart Pike.

PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW (PYMK) Cabaret Series, will present version 3.0 in its popular evening of songs dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the work of new composing artists and the work that has been influential in shaping them. Featured in PYMK version 3.0 will be the works of Jeff Blumenkrantz (recipient of the 2012 Fred Ebb Award); Barry Anderson & Mark Petty ("The Songwriter's Union"); and Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond ("Dani Girl"), along with the works that inspired them. Performances of PYMK version 3.0 will be Monday, July 30 at 7:00pm and Thursday, August 9 at 9:00pm at the Triad Theatre (158 W. 72nd Street) in Manhattan.

The Human Race Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals, has announced the three-play line-up for its 2012 Festival of New Musicals.