NAMT Report: Jake Epstein, James Monroe Iglehart in LEGENDALE, Bringing Online Magic and Monsters to The Musical Stage

BroadwayWorld's Michael Dale reports on seven musicals being presented in 45 minute readings at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Annual Festival of New Musicals. These musicals are being presented before an audience of over 600 industry professionals and are in different stages of development, not to be reviewed. For more information on all of the musicals, visit namt.org.

LEGENDALE

Music by Andrea Daly
Book & lyrics by Jeff Bienstock
Story by Bienstock & Daly

Jake Epstein plays Andy, a sweet nerdy guy with limited social skills whose greatest passion in life is escaping his humdrum existence for the adventure that awaits him online as he uses magical skills and combats monsters while playing Legendale.

His boss (Jason "SweetTooth" Williams) doesn't understand why he wastes his time with such nonsense when he can devote his time to worthier projects like the company's Fantasy Football league.

When The Lord of Legendale (James Monroe Iglehart) announces a once in a lifetime tournament for 1000 players, Andy dreams of proving his worth, but work obligations keep him from being the first to claim a cool avatar like a wizard, a ninja or a leprechaun. All that's left is the cow maiden (Emily Padgett), a character whose strengths are her sensitivity and ability to make artesian cheeses.

In the male-dominated world of online gaming, the cow maiden is considered the lowliest of characters and sure enough, Andy's first attempt to compete as her is disastrous. But just when he's about to give up, his avatar tells him what he's doing wrong. It seems that it's Andy's lack of understanding women, not limited powers of the cow maiden, that are keeping him from succeeding.

As act one ends, the authors seem to be hinting that Andy will be learning lessons that not only will help him win the tournament, but also get closer to an attractive and equally nerdy co-worker (Lauren Marcus).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre, founded in 1985, is a national service organization dedicated exclusively to musical theatre. Their mission is to advance musical theatre by nurturing the creation, development, production and presentation of new musicals, and to provide a forum for musical theatre professionals to share resources and exchange information. Our 200 members, located throughout 34 states and abroad, are some of the leading producers of musical theatre in the world and include theatres, presenting organizations, higher education programs and individual producers. Among the 228 musicals launched by NAMT's annual Festival of New Musicals are Thoroughly Modern Millie, Children of Eden, Honk!, The Drowsy Chaperone, It Shoulda Been You, Songs for a New World, I Love You Because, Striking 12, Vanities, Ordinary Days and many others, representing 420 writers.

NAMT's FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS is the cornerstone of NAMT's mission to nurture the creation, development and production of new musicals. The Festival highlights eight musicals in 45-minute presentations before an audience of over 600 industry professionals. In the short run, the Festival's goal is to connect producers with writers, so that their shows can continue their development trajectory. The long-term goal is to expand the musical theatre repertoire, bringing new musical theatre to thousands of audience members around the world.

The 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS is overseen by NAMT New Works Director and Festival Producing Director Branden Huldeen and Festival General Manager Lisa Dozier King.