Musical Theatre Factory to Send Two Shows to TheatreWorks Palo Alto New Works Festival, 8/9-17

Musical Theatre Factory will send its first two productions, THE DISAPPERING MAN and ONE WOMAN SHOW, to TheatreWorks Palo Alto's New Works Festival, August 9-17. The Festival has launched many new works onto TheatreWorks' stages and on to productions nationally, including Broadway's MEMPHIS and off-Broadway's STRIKING 12, EQUIVOCATION, and THE NORTH POOL.

THE DISAPPEARING MAN (book, music, and lyrics by Jahn Sood) takes place backstage at a small-time travelling circus in 1936. When the headliner is offered another job, the motley troupe must decide whether to adapt to the change or fight to keep the family together. A showcase production was presented by Musical Theatre Factory at Cloud City in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in January of this year, directed by Shakina Nayfack and music directed by Brian Cavanagh-Strong. The same team will continue working on the show at TheatreWorks this summer.

ONE WOMAN SHOW, an autobiographical punk rock cabaret written by Nayfack, will also be presented at the festival. A story of surviving the 90s and creating a new life in a new millennium, ONE WOMAN SHOW recounts the exploits and misadventures that led to Shakina's gender transition. The show features original songs by emerging composers Joe Iconis (THE BLACK SUITS, BLOODSONG OF LOVE, NBC's SMASH), Julianne Wick Davis (SOUTHERN COMFORT), Sam Salmond, Joel Waggoner, Joey Contreras, and Nikko Benson. Developed through the Musical Theatre Factory, the piece has played at Joe's Pub, 54 Below, and had an extended run at Sophie's earlier this year. Future engagements include Barrington Stage Company in August.

THE DISAPPEARING MAN will be presented in three phases of developmental staged readings on August 10 at 8pm, August 14 at 8pm, and August 17 at12pm. ONE WOMAN SHOW will play Friday, August 15 at 10:30pm. For tickets and more information visit http://www.theatreworks.org/new-works/festival or call 650-463-1960.

Still in its first year, the Musical Theatre Factory is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to helping musical theatre artists develop and present new work in a collaborative atmosphere free from the pressures of critical or financial success. More information can be found at www.MusicalTheatreFactory.org