New York Musical Theatre Festival News

Broadway stars John Treacy Egan ('Little Mermaid'), Gregg Edelman ('Into the Woods,' 'Passion'), Alison Fraser ('Gypsy') and Kate Shindle ('Legally Blonde') will be featured in the cast at a benefit concert performance of the new musical EINSTEIN'S DREAMS-- based on Alan Lightman's best-selling novel -- for one performance only on Monday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th St.) in New York City.

Van Hill Entertainment is proud to announce that the Off-Broadway premiere of ROOMS a rock romance, starring Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger, will begin performances on Friday February 27th at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for Monday March 16th (7 PM). ROOMS a rock romance has music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman (Bright Lights Big City) and book by Goodman and Miriam Gordon, and will be directed by Scott Schwartz (Golda's Balcony, Bat Boy: The Musical, tick, tick... BOOM!, Jane Eyre).

Come hang out with the NYMF gang on Wednesday evening, January 28! Get all of your burning Next Link Project and Festival Submissions questions answered and also learn about other ways you can get involved with NYMF. A meet and greet to answer any questions from those interested in applying will be held Wednesday, January 28, 6-8pm at the Irish Rogue (356 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues. NYMF staff members will be on hand to answer questions about the Next Link Project submissions process and chat about other ways to get involved with the Festival. A cash bar with drink specials will be available, including $3 Domestic Bottles & Drafts and $4 Martinis & Cosmos. Drop by after work and say hi! The New York Musical Theater Festival is currently accepting open submissions for its Next Link Project for the sixth annual festival taking place September 28 - October 18, 2009. Any work that has not been produced professionally in New York City may be submitted by authors with or without industry representation, but scripts should be ready for developmental production and the widespread exposure NYMF provides. All entries undergo double-blind evaluations by several members of NYMF's reading team, with finalists referred to a grand jury of celebrated industry professionals. Previous jury members have included such Tony winning talents as Victoria Clark, Raul Esparza, Robyn Goodman, Margo Lion, Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx, Kathleen Marshall, Kevin McCollum, Tom Meehan, Phylicia Rashad and BD Wong.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals Program, now in it's third year, is a workshop initiative that offers students the invaluable opportunity take part in the developmental process of new material with up-and coming writers. In the past few months, the program received 42 submissions for consideration, out of which one new work was selected to be developed by Pace. This year, Pace New Musicals proudly presents the world premiere reading of Darling, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by B.T. Ryback.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the east coast premiere of LYDIA by OCTAVIO SOLIS, directed by JULIETTE CARRILLO at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street, at York Street) beginning February 6 through February 28. Opening Night is Thursday, February 12. LYDIA features music composed by Chris Webb; sets by Andrew Boyce; costumes by Amanda Seymour; lighting by Jesse Belsky; sound design, additional music, and arrangements by David Molina; voice and dialect by Beth McGuire; fight direction by Rick Sordelet; dramaturgy by Matt Cornish; and stage management by Donald E. Claxon. The cast of LYDIA includes Carlo Alb?n, Christian Barillas, Stephanie Beatriz, Armando Dur?n, Catalina Maynard, Onahoua Rodriguez, and Tony Sancho.

Jurors for The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) for the 2009 Next Link Project will include lyricist Susan Birkenhead, composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown, producer Robyn Goodman, and director Francesca Zambello. The New York Musical Theater Festival is currently accepting open submissions for its Next Link Project for the sixth annual festival taking place September 28 ? October 18, 2009. Twelve of the Festival?s full production slots are reserved for participants in The Next Link Project, NYMF?s primary writer service program. The Next Link Project empowers emerging musical theatre writing teams as both artists and entrepreneurs by providing the training and relationships needed to help them move their musicals from mere readings to fully-realized productions and to advance their careers by maximizing the exposure they receive in the Festival. A meet and greet to answer any questions from those interested in applying will be held Wednesday, January 28, 6-8pm at the Irish Rogue (356 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Ave). NYMF staff members will be on hand to answer questions about the Next Link Project submissions process and chat about other ways to get involved with the Festival.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals Program, now in its third year, is a workshop initiative that offers students the invaluable opportunity take part in the developmental process of new material with up-and-coming writers. In the past few months, the program received 42 submissions for consideration, out of which one new work was selected to be developed by the Pace Performing Arts Department. This year, Pace New Musicals proudly presents the world premiere reading of Darling, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by B.T. Ryback.

Florida Studio Theatre is proud to announce the cast for the upcoming Hula Hoop Sha-Boop, by Larry Deckel and John Leicht; Musical arrangements by John Tanner. A delightful stroll back to the fabulous 50s, Hula Hoop Sha-Boop takes us back to the age of innocence. Musical vignettes and comedic stories recount the days of poodle skirts and soda fountains. This sock-hopping tribute, features over a decade of favorites including ?Yakety Yak,' ?Stay,' The Twist,' ?It's My Party,' ?Peggy Sue' and many more!

The Caldwell Theatre Company will present the Southeast regional premiere of Peter Morgan's award-winning Frost/Nixon, beginning with a special 9pm performance on New Year's Eve. Previews continue on January 4th, with an official opening of January 9th, 2009.

The Caldwell Theatre Company will present the Southeast regional premiere of Peter Morgan's award-winning Frost/Nixon, beginning with a special 9pm performance on New Year's Eve. Previews continue on January 4th, with an official opening of January 9th, 2009.

BroadwayWorld.com is proud to announce its newest addition to the BroadwayWorld.TV family - StageTube! Presenting the best in viral, viewer-created videos, StageTube will connect BroadwayWorld.com visitors with the best of user driven video content. For the debut of Stage Tube we put the spotlight on the talented gang of [title of show] as they begin Season Two of their online series. Episode One of Season Two is fittingly enough at this holiday time of year a 'Christmas Spectacular Show Special Show'.

Experience the New Residents' Showcase, January 10, 2009 at Chicago Dramatists. The new Residents in this 30th anniversary season are Mary Ruth Clarke, Cheryl Coons, Christopher De Paola, Sarah Gubbins, David Scott Hay, and Jon Steinhagen.

Now entering its sixth year, The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) exists to revitalize musical theater culture by discovering and promoting new musical theater 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. The New York Musical Theater Festival will begin accepting open submissions for its Next Link Project January 7th for the sixth annual festival taking place September 28 - October 18, 2009.

Upright Cabaret producers/hosts Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel proudly present Broadway star and Los Angeles native Eden Espinosa in her first solo effort entitled EDEN ESPINOSA - ME to be directed by Broadway & recording star Billy Porter with Ben Toth taking over Music Direction. During the last month of Wicked's run at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, where she is currently starring as Elphaba, Espinosa will take off the green to perform four solo concerts which will feature a different special guest each night. Special guests T.B.A.

THE NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN'S CHORUS launched its 29th season with a time-honored New York tradition: under the Artistic Direction of Charles Beale, NYCGMC presented The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular 'Celebrate Me Home' at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday December 9th. The special guest stars for the evening were the cast of [title of show], Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals Program, now in it's third year, is a workshop initiative that offers students the invaluable opportunity take part in the developmental process of new material with up-and coming writers. In the past few months, the program received 42 submissions for consideration, out of which one new work was selected to be developed by Pace. This year, Pace New Musicals proudly presents the world premiere reading of Darling, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by B.T. Ryback.

Frances Hill, Founder/Artistic Director Lauren Schmiedel, Managing Director in association with Sara Katz presents Larson & Kleban Award Winning Composer JOE ICONIS' World Premiere of ReWrite; a musical comedy triple feature, directed by John Simpkins.

NYC Gay Men's Chorus' annual Holiday Spectacular is one of the most anticipated highlights of the holiday season in New York City. This year, with 'Celebrate Me Home,' NYCGMC gathers with friends and family to share the holiday spirit, while continuing its steadfast efforts to celebrate the LGBT community through song. Hop a sleigh ride around the world as NYCGMC offers a program including carols from the Basque country, South Africa, Cuba and the Dominican Republic as well as traditional favorites like 'Sleigh Ride,' 'Silent Night' and 'Joy to the World.' There will be laughter, tears and inspiring messages of hope. It's the most fabulous holiday party in town.

NYCGMC's annual Holiday Spectacular is one of the most anticipated highlights of the holiday season in New York City. This year, with 'Celebrate Me Home,' NYCGMC gathers with friends and family to share the holiday spirit, while continuing its steadfast efforts to celebrate the LGBT community through song. Hop a sleigh ride around the world as NYCGMC offers a program including carols from the Basque country, South Africa, Cuba and the Dominican Republic as well as traditional favorites like 'Sleigh Ride,' 'Silent Night' and 'Joy to the World.' There will be laughter, tears and inspiring messages of hope. It's the most fabulous holiday party in town.

Florida Studio Theatre is proud to announce the cast for the upcoming Hula Hoop Sha-Boop, by Larry Deckel and John Leicht; Musical arrangements by John Tanner. A delightful stroll back to the fabulous 50s, Hula Hoop Sha-Boop takes us back to the age of innocence. Musical vignettes and comedic stories recount the days of poodle skirts and soda fountains. This sock-hopping tribute, features over a decade of favorites including ?Yakety Yak,' ?Stay,' The Twist,' ?It's My Party,' ?Peggy Sue' and many more!