Photo Coverage: The 24 Hour Musicals-THINGS CAN'T ALWAYS BE AWESOME

On March 7, The 24 Hour Company teamed with the Exchange to produce The 24 Hour Musicals at The Gramercy Theatre. Four brand new musicals were written, cast, rehearsed and performed in a single day, featuring an star-studded line up of Broadway performers, composers, writers, directors, choreographers and musical directors. Creative director Ted Sperling (musical director of Light in the Piazza, South Pacific and Guys & Dolls), led some of the theatre's brightest talent from Broadway, film and television as they collaborated under one roof, in one day, to create original musical theatre. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you coverage of THINGS CAN'T ALWAYS BE AWESOME starring Savannah Wise, Debby Boone, Nellie McKay and Jeffrey Kuhn.

In all, the productions featured Debby Boone, Dee Roscioli, Jeffrey Kuhn, Savannah Wise, Todd Almond, Mandy Gonzalez (In The Heights, RENT), Golden Globe-winner America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty," Real Women Have Curves), Julian Fleisher (Coraline), Richard Kind (The Producers, "Mad About You"), three-time Tony Award-nominee Marc Kudisch (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Nellie McKay (Threepenny Opera), Anthony Rapp (RENT, "A Beautiful Mind"), and Nat Wolff ("The Naked Brothers Band"), Daneil Goldstein (Godspell), Jonathan Marc Sherman ("Things we Want"), Kate Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk ("Henry and Mudge," "Samantha Brown"), Kristofer Diaz ("The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety") for the event.

The creative process for THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS began Sunday, March 6th at 9 p.m. when all participating artists convened at the National Arts Club on Gramercy Park with a prop or costume piece to inspire the writers. After the company is briefed, the actors and directors left the writers to create the book, music and lyrics for their 15-minute musicals ...in just eight hours. At 7 a.m. Monday morning, the directors returned to read the completed musicals and finalize casting. An hour, the actors returned to begin a twelve-hour rehearsal process. At 8:00 p.m., ink barely dry, the four new musicals will be performed for a live audience. Although the actors only have one day to memorize lines, lyrics and music, create characters and learn blocking, the musicals are performed without scripts in hand.

For more information on the 24 Hour Company, visit www.24hourplays.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

Theatre Marquee for The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Atmosphere & Stage at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Atmosphere at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Performing in at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay, Jeffrey Kuhn & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay, Jeffrey Kuhn & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Nellie McKay, Debby Boone, Jeffrey Kuhn & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Savannah Wise, Debby Boone, Nellie McKay, Jeffrey Kuhn Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay, Jeffrey Kuhn Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Savannah Wise & Debby Boone Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Nellie McKay Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay, Jeffrey Kuhn & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Savannah Wise, Debby Boone, Nellie McKay Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Jeffrey Kuhn, Nellie McKay & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Savannah Wise, Debby Boone, Nellie McKay Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Nellie McKay Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Nellie McKay, Jeffrey Kuhn & Savanna Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Nellie McKay & Jeffrey Kuhn Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Nellie McKay & Jeffret Kuhn Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Nellie McKay & Jeffrey Kuhn Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Nellie McKay Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Savannah Wise, Nellie McKay & Debby Boone Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Savannah Wise, Jeffrey Kuhn, Nellie McKay & Debby Boone Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Debby Boone, Jeffrey Kuhn, Nellie McKay & Savannah Wise Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

Savannah Wise, Jeffrey Kuhn, Nellie McKay & Debby Boone Performing in 'Things Can't always Be Awesome' at The 24 Hour Musicals after performance party at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City.

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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