Photo Coverage: The 2010 24 Hour Musicals

Monday, February 8 saw the launch of the 2010 24 Hour Musicals. The cast included stars Malcolm Gets, Cady Huffman, Kathleen Turner, Jeanine Tesori, in addition to John Ellison Conlee, Christopher Gatelli, Adam Gwon, Julia Jordan, Moisés Kaufman, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Richard Kind, Nancy Opel, Steven Pasquale, Mo Rocca, Jonathan Marc Sherman, Ted Sperling, Tracie Thoms, Alicia Will, and David Yazbeck.

The creative process for THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS began February 8th 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 was 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 later, the actors returned to begin a twelve-hour rehearsal process. At 8:00 p.m., ink barely dry, the four new musicals were performed for a live audience. Although the actors only had one day to memorize lines, lyrics and music, create characters and learn blocking, the musicals are performed without scripts in hand.

Following the performance, a VIP reception took place at The National Arts Club. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture it all.

Proceeds from The 24 Hour Musicals benefit the Exchange, a NYC not-for-profit that develops new theatre work through productions and its development center for innovative theatre companies and artists in the Catskills, the Orchard Project. Tickets for the event are $100 to $400.

For more information, visit www.24hourplays.com.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy