NEW YORK CITY: National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced the lineup for the 27th annual Festival of New Musicals, which will take place Oct. 15–16 at New World Stages.
“The musical theatre talent brought together to share eight remarkable—and remarkably different—musicals over two days invigorates and inspires,” said executive director Betsy King Militello in a statement. “We’re proud of NAMT’s track record and look forward not only to introducing eight great new shows…but also to what comes next and next and next for each and every one of them.”
Each of the eight selected shows presents just a 45-minute sampling of their complete running time, and the festival is intended for invited industry guests only.
The festival begins with Timothy Huang’s Costs of Living, about two immigrant cab drivers who come to New York seeking the American dream but instead find a nightmare scenario.
Next is Imagine Harry, with music and lyrics by Will Van Dyke and book and lyrics by Jeff Talbott, about the business of growing up as experienced by an adult and his imaginary friend from childhood.
Following is The Last Queen of Canaan, with a book by Harrison David Rivers, lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik, and music by Jacob Yandura, about an uncompromising landowner in rural Virginia in 1937.
Next will be Legendale, with music by Andrea Daly, book and lyrics by Jeff Bienstock, and a story by Bienstock and Daly, about an online game full of magic and monsters.
Next is lift, with book and lyrics by Daryl Lisa Fazio and music by Aaron McAllister, about a young boy saved by an unknown hero after falling through ice.
Following will be Noir, with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Kyle Jarrow, about a heartbroken man who becomes obsessed with eavesdropping on the couple next door.
Next will be On the Eve, with music and lyrics by Shawn Magill and Seth Magill, book by Michael Federico, story by Federico and both Magills, about a theatre company that staves off apocalyptic doom by performing a sci-fi musical about Marie Antoinette.
The festival concludes with Othello: The Remix, with book, music and lyrics by The Q Brothers (GQ and JQ), an intense, high energy spin on Shakespeare through hip-hop.
NAMT, founded in 1985, is a national service organization dedicated nurturing the creation, development, production, and presentation of new musicals. NAMT’s annual festival aims to bring together producers and writers to further the development process for new musicals. The festival has helped to launch 228 musicals to future production, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Children of Eden, Honk!, The Drowsy Chaperone, It Shoulda Been You, Songs for a New World, I Love You Because, Striking 12, Vanities, Ordinary Days, and many others, representing 420 writers.
