ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshops Begin April 27

The ASCAP Foundation is pleased to announce that four new musical works have been singled out for presentation at the ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop in New York. The winning proposals were selected from nearly 130 applicants. The workshop will take place at ASCAP's New York offices at One Lincoln Plaza on April 27, 28, May 11, 12, 18 and 19 starting at 7:00pm sharp.

Directed by Tony-nominated composer/lyricist Craig Carnelia (Sweet Smell of Success, Is There Life After High School? and Working - based on the book by Studs Terkel) the workshop offers musical theatre writers the opportunity to present selections from their original works-in-progress for professional critique by some of the most prominent theatre producers, directors and composers. Among this year's panelists will be Stephen Schwartz, Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Sheldon Harnick.

The workshop is free of charge and open to everyone, regardless of performing right affiliation. All aspiring musical theatre writers, and those who submitted musicals for the workshop, are encouraged to attend. Admission is on a first come, first served basis.

The selected writers and their musical works are listed below, and will be presented on the following dates:

April 28 and May 11: BIG RED SUN
By: John Jiler (book, lyrics) and Georgia Stitt (music) both from NYC Big Red Sun is the story of a family fractured by the Second World War. A son searches for his father through the bewildering landscape of post-war America, where the simple melodies of Kern and Berlin have been replaced by the dizzying energy of jazz and the budding of rock and roll.

April 27 and May 18: BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER
By Andrew Abrams (music) from Madison, WI and Bill Augustin (book, lyrics) from NYC Based on the 1999 cult film, "But I'm a Cheerleader" is a wacky coming-of-age comedy about Megan, a typical high school cheerleader who has the perfect life... until she finds out that everyone she knows thinks she's a lesbian and her parents send her away to a 'rehabilitation' camp called "True Directions."

April 27 and May 12: MEET JOHN DOE
By Andrew Gerle (music, book) from NYC and Eddie Sugarman (lyrics, book) from Riverdale, NY Based on the classic Frank Capra film, Meet John Doe is a story of greed, lies, ideals, and a media battle for the heart of the American people. When a newspaper columnist creates a fictional political protester as a prank, she never imagines she will touch a national nerve and leave the country forever changed. Set in the early '30s, this powerful, jazz-driven show will make you a believer.

April 28 and May 19: ROCKET BOYS
By Diana Belkowski (music, lyrics) from Mahwah, NJ; Dan Tramon (music, lyrics) from Mahwah, NJ; Chris Budinich (book) from Verona, NJ, and Homer Hickman (book) from Huntsville, AL. Rocket Boys is a true coming-of-age tale that takes place in the pre-60's life of a scrappy, little West Virginia coal town where nothing matters but mining and surviving. Despite heated family conflict and community opposition, one son and his teenaged friends are determined to sustain their dream in a place that has precious few of them left.

The ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop in New York is part of an ongoing series of workshops sponsored by The ASCAP Foundation to nurture new American musicals. For more information, please call Michael Kerker at ASCAP at 212-621-6264.

Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education and talent development programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs, and public service projects for senior composers and lyricists. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. Join us as we celebrate our 30th year of serving the music community.