Photo Flash: Andrew Lippa Hosts NAMT Songwriter Spotlight at 54 Below With Julia Murney, Jason Danieley and More

Hosted by Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party and Big Fish), the concert featured the talents of Etai BenShlomo (Wicked), Kerry Butler (Xanadu), Jason Danieley (Curtains, Next To Normal), Kevin Earley (Tale of Two Cities), Julia Murney (The Wild Party, Wicked), Bryce Ryness (Hair) and Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde). The concert highlighted three songwriting teams who have been part of NAMT's Festival of New Musicals: Sara Cooper & Zachary Redler (The Memory Show, to be seen Off Broadway this spring at Transport Group), Michael Weiner & Alan Zachary (the Broadway-bound First Date and Secondhand Lions) and concert host Andrew Lippa. The writers, joined by Broadway talents, sang songs from their Festival shows and upcoming projects, and shared a behind-the-scenes story or two along the way.

A portion of last night's proceeds will support NAMT, a not-for-profit organization, whose programs include writer initiatives and the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals, which will take place on October 17-18, 2013 at New World Stages.

NAMT's Festival of New Musicals has showcased over 200 shows by more than 400 writers over the last 24 years. Musicals NAMT has helped develop include Children of Eden, The Drowsy Chaperone, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Songs for A New World, Honk!, See Rock City and Other Destinations and Ordinary Days.

To find out more about NAMT and these talented writers from the NAMT Festival log onto www.namt.org

Photo Credit: Matt Tolbert

Andrew Lippa

Kerry Butler

Jason Danieley and Kevin Earley

Jason Danieley

Julia Murney

Etai BenShlomo

Kate Shindle

Bryce Ryness

Kate Shindle, Etai BenShlomo, Sara Cooper, Zachary Redler, Bryce Ryness

Jason Danieley, Alan Zachary, Kerry Butler, Michael Weiner, Kevin Earley

Etai BenShlomo, Kerry Butler, Alan Zachary, Bryce Ryness, Julia Murney, Andrew Lippa, Zachary Redler, Sara Cooper, and Michael Weiner

Andrew Lippa

Julia Murney and composer Andrew Lippa