FABLE Makes History at NYMF, 7/22-27

H. S. Kaufman (Book) and Christopher Anselmo (Music and Lyrics) are twenty year-old artists who have written a highly anticipated and groundbreaking musical about what some might describe as a soul-searching and terrifying milestone in the American culture - High School Graduation.

Entitled FABLE, it fabulously rejects the life stories we have all been COUNSELED to adopt and exhilaratingly elevates the ones we INSIST on writing ourselves.

This is a new musical about a new generation who has decided to do it their way - all the way - no matter what.

This is also a musical written by two wondrously creative twenty year olds about people with whom they are very familiar - eighteen year olds - on the cusp of EVERYTHING.

Mr. Kaufman and Mr. Anselmo are the youngest artists ever to be invited to be a part of NYMF.

Produced by The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Christopher Mirto and Reed Ridgley, directed and choreographed by the critically acclaimed renegade mastermind, Jen Wineman, FABLE will open at Ford Foundation Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street - between 9th & 10th Avenues) on TUESDAY, JULY 22nd and play through SUNDAY, July 27th.

THE CREATIVE STAFF
Karen Dryer is the Musical Director. Orchestrations are by Asher Denburg. Scenery is by Deb O. Costumes are by Elizabeth Barrett Groth. Lighting is by Alan C. Edwards. Sound is by Jessica Paz.

THE PLAYERS
Dan Rosales is John. Michael Luwoye is Richie. Alex Walton is Tucker. Gerianne Perez is Chelsea. Marissa O'Donnell is Emmy. Madison Micucci is Amelia.

THE BAND
Guitar - Jeff Barone. Bass - Don Lieber. Violin/Viola - Edward W. Hardy. Drums - RJ Raybin.

FABLE'S STORY
John, Richie, Tucker, Chelsea, Emmy and Amelia are six members of the Class of 2014. They are the future of the world. Or so they have been led to believe. They have been groomed, educated, poised, conditioned, coached, trained, educated and indoctrinated by those who have issued the passports to their futures. They are, as we meet them, at a graduation party at John's house that is being crashed by many fellow graduates; one of which turns out to be very beautiful, mysterious, confrontational and a bomb waiting for detonation. These kids are standing on the corner of Future Possibility Avenue and Missed Opportunity Road. And they know it. As the realization that the stories they were told by their parents, teachers and guidance counselors are pure fiction sets in, the daunting task of self-awareness and
self-definition is becoming an obvious life-jacket.

In the meantime they are all looking for love.

During the musical's two exuberant acts the following subjects are explored, considered, rejected and/or embraced: male virginity, female promiscuity, awkward sex, college, the past, the future, responsibility, honesty, family and lack thereof, parenting and lack thereof, alcohol, short term goals, long term plans, the reason for underage drinking and love.

These six characters are about to write the first page of their Autobiographies.

Not so daunting; they have survived American High School. FABLE THAT!

THE THEATRE
Ford Foundation Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center
480 West 42nd Street - between 9th & 10th Avenues

THE PLAYING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, July 22 at 8:00pm
Thursday, July 24 at 1:00pm
Friday, July 25 at 1:00pm
Saturday, July 26 at 9:00pm
Sunday, July 27 at 5:00pm

TICKETS
$25
Buy on line: NYMF.org
Buy by Phone: 212-3523101

ABOUT NYMF

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) exists to revitalize musical theatre culture by discovering and promoting new musical theatre artists, producers and projects; nurturing a vibrant and innovative artistic community; and connecting one of America's greatest art forms with a diverse, contemporary audience. Now in its eleventh year, the Festival is the largest musical theatre event in America.

The preeminent site for launching new musicals and discovering new talent, the Festival provides an affordable platform for artists to mount professional productions that reach their peers, industry leaders, and musical theatre fans.

More than 90 Festival shows have gone on to productions on and Off-Broadway, in regional theaters in 48 states, and in more than 20 countries worldwide.

Festival alumni have received a wide array of awards including the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize. In 2013, NYMF received a special Drama Desk Award in recognition of its work "creating and nurturing new musical theatre, ensuring the future of this essential art form."

NYMF is the flagship program of National Music Theater Network, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. NYMF 2014 is presented in association with Fuzzrocket, TheaterMania, and Production Resource Group.

NYMF is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

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/member.

For more information, please visit: www.nymf.org

THE BIOS
H. S. Kaufman (Book) is currently an undergraduate in the B.F.A. Drama program at New York University, studying Performance in the Playwrights Horizons Theater School. There, he has been involved with a number of festivals as a writer and actor (most recently, 440 Psychosis, the Playwrights Collective Reading Series, and Tisch New Theatre). He has also worked with Dixon Place, Fresh Ground Pepper, and Sanguine Theater Co. Harrison is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

Christopher Anselmo (Music/Lyrics) is currently an undergraduate in the B.A. Theatre program, as well as the Music Theatre Certificate program, at Northwestern University. There, he is on the creative team for the annual Waa-Mu Show and has premiered many original musicals on campus. He was the youngest composer chosen to participate in the 2013 NYMF Musical Theatre Songwriting Workshop led by Anna K. Jacobs and Andrew Lippa. Member of ASCAP and Dramatists Guild.

Jen Wineman (Director/Choreographer) Recent credits include the world premiere of Bubble Boy (American Theater Group); the Off Broadway production of F#%king Up Everything (Off Broadway Alliance Best New Musical Nomination); the world premiere of The King's Whore (Walkerspace); Donald Margulies' Shipwrecked! (Triad Stage); and Roller Disco The Musical (OBERON at the A.R.T), which she co-wrote with Sam Forman and Eli Bolin. Currently running: Charise Castro Smith's new play The Huncback of Seville (Washington Ensemble Theatre). Up next: The 39 Steps (Triad Stage) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (FSU/Asolo Rep). M.F.A. Yale School of Drama. www.jenwineman.com <http://www.jenwineman.com>

Karen Dyrer (Music Director) is a pianist, singer/songwriter and musical director. Karen has served as musical director or assistant musical director on 5 Off Broadway shows including Power Balladz where she herself was a "rock star" and assistant musical director on 3 Broadway National tours, including Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Karen also is a vocal coach at NYU and Liz Caplan Vocal Studios. Check out her original music on CD baby and iTunes!

Asher Denburg (Orchestrator) is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, arranger and orchestrator, and music director. An undergraduate at Berklee College of Music, he's programmed and played keyboards for countless shows around the Greater Boston area. Notably, he served as assistant musical director and piano/conductor for the Delaware premiere of Next to Normal. Asher is thrilled to be making his professional writing debut with FABLE!

Christopher Mirto (Co-Producer) recently returned to NYC after a year-long Artistic Directing Fellowship at The Studio Theatre in Washington DC. Previous NYMF credits include f-ing Hipsters. He also produced Chris Wells' Olsen Terror at Dixon Place, NY Fringe, Evidence Room in LA, and Joe's Pub. Education: Yale School of Drama.

Reed Ridgley (Co-Producer/General Manager) Favorite projects include Scottsboro Boys, Book of Mormon (workshops), [title of show], Wig Out!, The Long Christmas Ride Home, Miracle Brothers, The Slug Bearers of Kayroll Island, God's Ear, the NY revival of Carrie, and Golden Motors. Education, NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
www.fablethemusical.com