New York Musical Theatre Festival News

1998 saw the founding of two ambitious new organizations: Prospect Theater Company and Google. Over the past decade both companies have grown tremendously.

[title of show] -- the original new musical that began previews on July 5 and opened at the Lyceum Theatre (149 W. 45 St.) on July 17 -- will conclude its critically acclaimed run at the Lyceum on October 12, it has been announced by the show's producers.

All the world's a mall in this popular musical adaptation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, Sammy Buck and Daniel S. Acquisto's 1980s-style Like You Like It. A totally awesome mix of Shakespeare and John Hughes, this romantic musical comedy enjoys its second chance at a first full New York production after being an audience favorite at NYMF in 2004.

The Cast of Broadway's Godspell Sings Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Top Broadway performers to sing the music of Larson Award winners Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk in NYMF concert - Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 10 PM at the Zipper Factory, 336 W. 37th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues).

Sophia's Fall is an intense dance/rock retelling of the creation story... with a twist. Sophia, the feminine divine, drives the action and drama of the story toward an edge-of-your-seat conclusion. A four-piece rock band and fluid modern dance choreography round out a dark, tuneful score.

Chicago Dramatists has appointed six new playwrights to its Resident Playwright program, Artistic Director Russ Tutterow announced today. 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.

New York Musical Theatre Festival's Next Broadway Sensation, formerly known as Broadway Idol, returns for 2008. The top ten finalists are Frances Bordlee, Joe Enderson, Shawna M. Hamic, Mike Harrison, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Barbi McCulloch, Ariela Morgenstern, Jennifer Sánchez, Nesha Ward, and Jamaal Wilson.

NEW PERSPECTIVES THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to present CYCLONE (AND THE PIG-FACED LADY), a new musical with book and lyrics by DANA LESLIE GOLDSTEIN, music by Rima Fand and direction by Elysa Marden, as part of the NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL 2008.

Euan Morton used the writings of John Lennon and his son Julian as well as John Denver and Nik Kershaw to create an evening of poetry and song entitled 'Stranger in a Strange Land.' 'Stranger in a Strange Land' will be performed at the Metropolitan Room Sundays, October 5, 12, and 19 at 9:30 PM. There will be a $30 cover and two beverage minimum. These performances over the month of October will be the first time in a long time that Euan has performed some of the signature material from the musical 'Taboo' and the first time he and his accompanist, Bryan Reeder, will have played their new material in public.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, in association with TPTE LLC, will present the New York premiere of TO PAINT THE EARTH, music by Jonathan Portera and words by Daniel Frederick Levin, directed by Michael Bush (Stormy Weather, Based on a Totally True Story), as part of the 5th Annual NY Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). Performances will run September 22nd-Oct 1st.

Top Broadway performers to sing the music of Larson Award winners Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk in NYMF concert - Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 10 PM at the Zipper Factory, 336 W. 37th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues).

After a twice-extended world-premiere engagement at the Hippodrome State Theater this summer, COLLEGE The Musical is set to make its New York City professional premiere September 18 - 28 at ATA Chernuchin Theater as part of the New York Musical Theater Festival.

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of THE ROAD TO RUIN.

'Ward 9' is being presented as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, 248 West 60th Street (bet Amsterdam Ave. & 11th Ave.)

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) celebrates its fifth year with 24 full productions, a dance series, a developmental series, concerts and special events. NYMF is an annual three-week event that has premiered over 130 musicals in its first four years - 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.

NEW PERSPECTIVES THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to present CYCLONE (AND THE PIG-FACED LADY), a new musical with book and lyrics by DANA LESLIE GOLDSTEIN, music by Rima Fand and direction by Elysa Marden, as part of the NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL 2008. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased at www.nymf.org/Show-918.html. Performances run Tuesday, September 23rd at 8:00 pm, Wednesday, September 24th at 1:00 pm, Sunday, September 28th at 4:30 pm, Wednesday, October 1st at 8:00 pm, Friday, October 3rd at 4:30 pm, and Saturday, October 4th at 8:00 pm. TBG THEATER is located at 312 West 46th Street, just off 8th Avenue.

Rick Hilsabeck (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Kate Fisher (Les Mis), and Scott Barnhardt (Big River), will read 'I Love You Madam President' for this year's New York Musical Theatre Festival. The show also features the talents of Jerry Coyle (Room Service), Ric Ryder (Blood Brothers), Christine Rowan and Elizabeth Polito (Beauty and the Beast) and is stage managed by Jessica Balvanz.

THE NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (NYMF), REX KNOWLES and WILL STURTEVANT are pleased to announce the New York premiere production of THAT OTHER WOMAN'S CHILD, directed by Sherry Landrum. THAT OTHER WOMAN'S CHILD, will play a limited engagement at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts Theatre C (450 West 37th Street, NYC). Performances begin Monday, September 29 and continue through to Sunday, October 5.

The Bubble comes at a time when history is repeating itself. We're seeing things happening now to the housing bubble that happened to the dotcom bubble. Conceiver Karen Paull said today. The Bubble is inspired by Paull's own experiences in Silicon Valley. Karen Paull is available for interviews and is an expert on surviving a market bubble.

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of THE ROAD TO RUIN. This new musical comedy is based on the 1928 silent movie of the same name, a cult favorite on par with Reefer Madness and Cocaine Fiends. With book, music and lyrics by William Zeffiro, the production is directed by Mary Catherine Burke with choreography by Sea Sullivan and music direction by David Cladwell. Performances begin September 18 at The 45th Street Theater.