National Alliance for Musical Theatre News

Michael Fletcher joins the cast of InSTEP Theatre's award-winning production of Departure Lounge direct from ITV's Superstar.

On Monday, August 13, 2012, New York Theatre Barn will present NYTB in the D-Lounge, a monthly concert for emerging musical theatre writers (now in its 5th year), at the Daryl Roth Theatre. The August 2012 installment of NYTB in the D-Lounge features an excerpt from the new musical Carolina Breeze from writing team Joel Waggoner and Lori Mannette, as well as selections from the new musical Kingdom Come by Matt Webster. The monthly series is executive produced by Laura Brandel and Jason Najjoum.

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.

Tony-nominee Jeremy Jordan will provide all nine voices for an a cappella "surprise" bonus track on the forthcoming See Rock City & Other Destinations original off-Broadway cast recording produced by Yellow Sound Label. The piece was arranged by the show's orchestrator Justin Hatchimonji and features a song from the Drama Desk-nominated score.

Theater Latté Da announced today that a season of fourmusicals and the launch of a major new work development program will comprise its 15th Anniversary Season.

Transport Group Theatre Company, the winner of both a Special Drama Desk Award and Obie Award, has announced that that their award-winning 2010 production of See Rock City & Other Destinations will receive an original cast recording produced by Yellow Sound Label. The Drama Desk and Richard Rodgers Award-winning musical has music by Brad Alexander and book and lyrics by Adam Mathias. The show was directed by Transport Group Artistic Director Jack Cummings III.

Michael Fletcher joins the cast of InSTEP Theatre's award-winning production of Departure Lounge direct from ITV's Superstar.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, launches its 43rd season with the world premiere of UPRIGHT GRAND, a play with live music by acclaimed playwright Laura Schellhardt (Auctioning the Ainsleys). A hit at last year's New Works Festival, this tender and intelligent portrait of the complex relationship between a father and daughter will be helmed by TheatreWorks New Works Director Meredith McDonough. Dan Hiatt will star as aging songwriter "Pops," with Renata Friedman as "Kiddo" and Brett Ryback as "The Accompanist." UPRIGHT GRAND plays tonight, July 11 - August 10, 2011 (press opening July 14) at TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. For tickets ($24-$73) and information the public may call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

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 Marriott Theatre presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, running now through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. Click below to watch a behind-the-scenes video about the production!

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today the eight musicals selected to be part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The Board of Directors of Chicago Muse, an organization dedicated to the development of new musical-theater projects, announced today it has ceased operations and will contribute the Corporation's assets to Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST). The contribution of more than $500,000 will establish a newly endowed fund at CST in support of the Theater's ongoing commitment to commission, develop and produce new musicals.

New York Theatre Barn (Joe Barros, Artistic Director; Jason Najjoum, Producing Director; Barry Levine, Managing Director) will launch the 6th consecutive year of its acclaimed monthly platform for emerging musical theater writers, NYTB in the D-Lounge, on July 9, 2012 at the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre. Featured writing teams will be Charlie Sohne and Tim Rosser, and Adam Spiegel and Dan Wolpow, all alumni of the Tony Award-winning BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Featured writers for later months in the 6th season will be announced at a later date.

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin today announced the directors for the Company's 2012-2013 Main Stage season at the Addison Theatre Centre. Directing the season opener, The Mystery of Irma Vep (September 28 - October 21, 2012) will be Terry Martin. It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (November 23 - December 16, 2012) will be directed by Mark Fleischer. Black Tie (May 31 - June 23, 2013) will be directed by Rene Moreno. As previously announced, Putting It Together (January 11 - February 3, 2013) and The Grapes of Wrath (April 5-28, 2013), will be directed by Terry Martin. The director for Xanadu (July 26 - August 18, 2013) will be announced at a later date.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing tonight, June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, launches its 43rd season with the world premiere of UPRIGHT GRAND, a play with live music by acclaimed playwright Laura Schellhardt (Auctioning the Ainsleys). A hit at last year's New Works Festival, this tender and intelligent portrait of the complex relationship between a father and daughter will be helmed by TheatreWorks New Works Director Meredith McDonough. Dan Hiatt will star as aging songwriter "Pops," with Renata Friedman as "Kiddo" and Brett Ryback as "The Accompanist." UPRIGHT GRAND plays July 11 - August 10, 2011 (press opening July 14) at TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. For tickets ($24-$73) and information the public may call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

The world premiere of the musical "Los Otros" officially opened last night, June 3 at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. With book and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and music by Michael John LaChiusa, Los Otros' performances continue through July 1. Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk plays the role of Woman and Julio Monge plays the role of Man. See photos from the starry opening night party below, including Monge and Pawk, along with composer Michael John LaChiusa, Julie Tolivar, FOLLIES Becky Elizabeth Stout, actor Kurtwood Smith and more!

The most celebrated musical of the 2006 Broadway season, The Drowsy Chaperone, a new musical comedy, is coming to the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Avenue, for nine performances, tonight June 1 through June 17, 2012. With music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, this musical within a comedy takes a modern-day spin on musical comedies of old.

The world premiere of the beautifully crafted musical "Los Otros" begins previews tonight, May 23 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. With book and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and music by Michael John LaChiusa, "Los Otros" opens on June 3, 2012; performances continue through July 1. Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk has been cast to play the role of Woman and Julio Monge will play the role of Man.

The most celebrated musical of the 2006 Broadway season, The Drowsy Chaperone, a new musical comedy, is coming to the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Avenue, for nine performances, June 1-17, 2012. With music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, this musical within a comedy takes a modern-day spin on musical comedies of old.