Everett Quinton, Michael Winther, & Marlon Sherman to Star in MAX UNDERSTOOD at NYMF 9/28-10/7

Drama Desk Award-winner Everett Quinton (Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company), Michael Winther (33 Variations, Damn Yankees, 1776, and Mamma Mia! on Broadway), and Marlon Sherman (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast on Broadway) are set to star in Max Understood, running at the 45th Street Theatre in the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Marlon Sherman will be playing the title role of Max.

The innovative "sound scaped" musical by Nancy Carlin (book and lyrics) and Michael Rasbury (music and lyrics) will also be featuring direction from celebrated New York theatre and opera director David Schweizer (Troilus and Cressida at Lincoln Center, The Mines of Sulphur at New York City Opera). Schweizer has also directed productions at Second Stage Theatre (Wintertime), New York Theater Workshop (Song From An Unmade Bed), PS 122 (Price Point), and the Paper Mill Playhouse (The Importance of Being Earnest starring Lynn Redgrave).

Max Understood is an invitation into the life of a 7 year-old boy with autism. As Max embarks on a transformative odyssey beyond the confines of his parents' apartment, his unique perspective reveals the beauty and mystery of the world around him. The musical was part of The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's National Musical Theatre Conference in the summer of 2008, and was inspired in part by composer and co-lyricist Michael Rasbury's son Max, who is autistic.

Joining Quinton, Winther, and Sherman in the cast are Tricia Burns, Ramiz Monsef (Eurydice at Second Stage), Mary Mossberg (world premiere of Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland), and Ali Stroker. The production will also feature scenic design from Caleb Wertenbaker, costume design by Clint Ramos, and lighting design by Justin Townsend.

Max Understood runs from September 28th to October 7th at the 45th Street Theatre (354 West 45th Street), and will play the following performance schedule: Monday, 9/28 at 8pm, Thursday, 10/1 at 1pm, Saturday 10/3 at 4:30pm, Saturday 10/3 at 8pm, Sunday 10/4 at 1pm, and Wednesday, 10/7 at 8pm.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.NYMF.org

NYMF is the flagship program of National Music Theater Network, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. NYMF 2009 is presented in association with BroadwayWorld.com, Production Resource Group and TheaterMania.com, and is supported by Back Stage, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, BroadwayBox.com, BroadwayInsider.com, Broadway.TV, Clear Channel Spectacolor, DFD-TV, Frank & Camille's Fine Pianos, King Displays, Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, New World Stages, NASDAQ OMX, Next Magazine, PMD Promotions, Queerty.com, Reuters, Sweet Caroline's, Tekserve, TheMenEvent.com, The Tank, and Times Square Squared. Major supporters include The ASCAP Foundation, BMI Foundation, Inc., The Broadway League, The BWF Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation with the support and encouragement of Jamie Mayer, The Charlie & Jane Fink Charitable Fund, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and The Theater League. NYMF is supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council. NYMF's programs are made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.