NYMF Announces Top Six Next Broadway Sensation Contestants 10/3
By: Gabrielle Sierra
The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) is proud to announce the six contestants who will move onto Round 2 of NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation competition.
NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation returns for its fifth year and takes place at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street) Sundays during the Festival (September 26th, October 3rd, and October 10th). Produced by NYMF and sponsored by Sh-k-Boom and TheaterMania in association with New World Stages, this talent competition seeks to find the newest musical theatre star.The top six contestants are: Sally Eidman, Rony Lee Goffer, Brooke Ishibashi, Jon-Michael Reese, Aaron Riesebeck, and Hannah Whitney.The winner will receive a special solo concert, co-presented by NYMF and Grammy Award-winning producer Sh-K-Boom Records and a private coaching session by renowned vocal coach Liz Caplan, who will also serve as a mentor on our judges' panel for the entire competition."We are thrilled by the talent that has emerged from NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation," said NYMF Executive Director and Producer Isaac Robert Hurwitz. "The competition has been incredibly stiff and we look forward to the next round on Sunday." The second round, taking place on October 3rd at 9:45pm, will be hosted by blogger Randy Rainbow (the self-proclaimed "Perez Hilton of Broadway"), and the celebrity panel of judges for week #2 will be: Adam Kantor (actor, Rent), Jen Bender (resident director, The Lion King), Carmel Dean (musical director, American Idiot) and Liz Caplan (vocal coach). This week, the contestants will sing all music by emerging songwriters. Audience members can expect guest performances from Adam Gwon (Ordinary Days) and Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid, Jersey Boys).Over three exciting weekly concerts, these ten singers will battle their way to the top and their fate will be decided by audience votes. A panel of industry pros will also be on hand each week to offer feedback and advice. Past celebrity commentators and judges have included Marc Kudisch, Jonathan Groff, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Tom Kitt. Contestants have gone on to appear in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including American Idiot, Hair, West Side Story, South Pacific, Women on the Verge, and many more. This year's competition will be musical directed by Alexander Rovang and directed by Eric Louie. Sensation is open to singers aged 18 and over who have Broadway flair but no Broadway credits.WHERE: New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street)
WHEN: Sept 26, Oct 3, and Oct 10; Doors open at 9:30pm, competition begins at 9:45pm
TICKETS: $10
