SYNOPSIS- In a world where nothing is what it seems - religions collide, plots are hatched, pacts are made, and secrets exposed - hope is found where you least expect it. Is it Iran? Is it Iraq? No, it's just the Steinberg Wedding. Come see the truth unveiled.
MEMORY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL WISDOM
Book & Lyrics by Sara Cooper
Music by Zach Redler
SYNOPSIS-- Memory Is The Mother Of All Wisdom is a two-person comic tragedy about the troubled relationship of a woman who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and her estranged daughter who moves back home to take care of her.
RIPPER
by Duane Nelsen
SYNOPSIS- In this Victorian thriller, the PennyWise Music Hall is home to an illusionist who saws women in half while real murders are taking place on the streets outside. Reporter Chester Talbot sets out to unravel the story, but what he sees may not be what it seems.
Regarding the 21st annual Festival of New Musicals, NAMT Executive Director Kathy Evans said, "It's hard to believe we are embarking on our 21st Festival. We are honored to present these talented writers and over 100 musical theatre actors, directors, and musicians to the top producers in the world."
The 21st annual Festival of New Musicals is overseen by General Manager Lisa Dozier and Festival Artistic Director and NAMT New Works Director Branden Huldeen. The location for this year's Festival will be announced shortly.
From last year's Festival 2008, five of the eight shows have found commercial options or regional productions:
BARNSTORMER - will be presented this January at Red Mountain Theatre Company (AL)
BEATSVILLE - has been optioned
THE CUBAN AND THE REDHEAD - will have a developmental reading at The Village Theatre (WA)
ORDINARY DAYS- will be presented at Adirondack Theatre Festival (NY), Roundabout Theatre Company (NY), South Coast Rep (CA) and The Human Race Theatre Co. (OH), and the writer Adam Gwon won a 2008 Fred Ebb Award
SEE ROCK CITY & OTHER DESTINATIONS-had a reading in conjunction with their 2008 Richard Rodgers Award at The Transport Group (NY) and will have a concert production at Baldwin Wallace College (OH).
From Festival 2007:
THE BREAK-UP NOTEBOOK: THE LESBIAN MUSICAL- Commercial Option
THE GYPSY KING- Full Production at The Village Theatre (WA) in 2009
KINGDOM- Development at Weston Playhouse (VT) January 2008; 2008 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre, readings at Queens Theatre in the Park (NY), The Public Theater (NY). Productions at The Old Globe (CA) and ReVision Theatre (NJ).
THE STORY OF MY LIFE by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill - Commercial option 2007, Broadway opening 2009
TINYARD HILL- Development through 3 NAMT theatres - The Human Race Theatre Company (OH), Goodspeed Musicals (CT), and Red Mountain Theatre Company (AL), leading to the world premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley this summer.
Other past Festival highlights include the Tony Award winners The Drowsy Chaperone and Thoroughly Modern Millie; off-Broadway successes such as I Love You Because, Songs for A New World, Striking 12, Summer of '42 and Vanities, A New Musical (opening off-Broadway at Second Stage this month); and regional hits like Ace, Children Of Eden, Emma, Harold and Maude, Honk!, and Meet John Doe.
The FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS is funded entirely by contributions to the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, a not-for-profit organization, and is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art, and by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency.
Admission to the FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS is by invitation only for the industry. The general public can obtain free, stand-by tickets the day of the Festival.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE (NAMT)
Founded in 1985, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) is a national service organization dedicated exclusively to musical theatre. Our 150+ members, located throughout 31 states and 8 countries, include theatres, presenters, universities, and independent producers who share our commitment to nurture the creation, production, and recognition of new musicals and classics. Last season, NAMT members cumulatively staged over 26,000 performances attended by 15 million people. NAMT has presented its annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS since 1989. The Festival is "for those in the know" and makes "a major impact on the world of musical theatre," according to American Theater Magazine, and brings together leading theatre producers and musical theatre writers. NAMT's other programs include conferences, new works summits, and a granting initiative, the National Fund for New Musicals, which supports the development and production of new musicals. For more information, visit www.namt.org.
