Photo Coverage: The New York Musical Theatre Festival Kicks-Off with Ben Vereen, Corbin Bleu & More!

Last night, July 9, Ben Vereen (Pippin, Fosse) hosted the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival opening night gala celebrating the season kick off. On hand to show support for the famed fest, which opened last night and runs through July 29, were Corbin Bleu ("High School Musical"), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Dreamgirls, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Leslie Krtizer (A Catered Affair), Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys), Jeremy Kushnier (Jesus Christ Superstar), Jack Noseworthy (Sweet Smell of Success), Tom Deckman (Spamalot), Anika Larsen (Xanadu), Melissa van Der Schyff (Bonnie and Clyde), and many more.

BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photo coverage below!

Now in its ninth year, the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) is the largest annual musical theatre event in America and is widely regarded as the essential source for new material and talent discovery. NYMF provides a launching pad for the next generation of musicals and their creators to ensure the continued vitality of one of America's greatest art forms. Hailed as the "Sundance of Musical Theatre," NYMF discovers, nurtures, and promotes promising musical theatre artists and producers at all stages of development, and inspires a diverse audience through vibrant, accessible, powerful new work.

NYMF Memberships, which combine charitable contributions with valuable, flexible ticket packages and perks like early seating, and tickets to individual events, are currently available for purchase at (212) 352-3101 or www.nymf.org.

Corbin Bleu

Corbin Bleu, Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen

Natalie Toro

Natalie Toro, Isacc Hurwitz

Ben Vereen, Isaac Hurwitz

Natalie Toro, Enrique Acevedo, Maria Eberline

Tanesha Ross, Gerard Canonico, Omar Lopez-Cepero

Peter Cincotti

Peter Cincotti, Pia Cincotti

Karen Ziemba

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Stan Zimmerman, Mindy Sterling, Colin Hanlon, Jenna Leigh Green

Melissa van Der Schyff

Stafford Arima

Jose Llana

Ari Gold

Joey Murray, Ari Gold