Photo Coverage: New York Music Theatre Festival Benefit
By: Robert Diamond May. 13, 2004
The stars came out to support the The New York Musical Theatre Festival in a benefit at the Pink Room.
Their goal is to become the premiere international festival for contemporary musical theatre. Through the month of September 2004, The New York Musical Theatre Festival will take place all across New York, from the theatre district in midtown Manhattan to the outer boroughs, celebrating the diversity, creativity and future of the musical.
Festival Staff Members Charlotte Cohn, Tim Jerome, Supporters Jill Jayson,
Chris Sarandon, Joanna Gleason, Constance Mortel, Founding Producer Jamie McGonnigal
and Avenue Q Tony Nominee, John Tartaglia
Tony-nomanited John Tartaglia kicked things off.
...singing the hilarious "Second Cousin"
Max von Essen sang a new song from "Easter Rising," by BARE's Michael Arden
Michael Arden accompanied Max on the piano
More Max...
Not content just to write, Michael Arden was joined by Bare Co-Star John Hill to sing the N+R Song
John Lithgow, festival supporter gave audiences a preview
of "I Am a Manatee."
"Manatee" is from an upcoming concert of songs based
on his best-selling children's books.
Broadway Legend Jim Dale singing "Trouble" from the Music Man
Yes, trouble, right here in the Pink Room!
Charlotte Cohn with Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez and Jamie McGonnigal, Founding Producer
Kris Stewart, Executive Director addressed the audience about "Breaking Ground" on the festival.
Jamie introducing Jai who sang a number from Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY
Galt MacDermot, who wrote the music for "Hair" led the
audience in singing 2 of his hits, Aquarius, and Good Morning Starshine
Galt was accompanied by his son as well
Charlotte Cohn - Sang "Vanilla Ice Cream" from SHE LOVES ME
Gilles Chiasson of RENT, Scarlet Pimpernel and Civil War fame
Jenna Leigh Green, currently starring in the off-Broadway hit Bare...
Jenna sang a new song, 'Everyone But Me' from 'The Mystery of the Dancing Princesses"
a new musical by Michael Wiener and Alan Zachary
Brian Stokes Mitchell performed The Impossible Dream...
and left the audience begging for an Encore...
Kate Shindle helped bring the evening to a close accompanied by Bat Boy composer Larry O'Keefe
She then introduced the final song of the night,
a perfect example of the festival's purpose, a
new song by up and coming composer Brian Lowdermilk
Brian accompanied Kate and others on the piano...
THE ROUSING FINALE FROM Brian Lowdermilk'S MUSICAL RED,
A Patriotic Anthem titled "This Land is Mine"
A Patriotic Anthem titled "This Land is Mine"
Mishelle Girolami, Michael Cassara, Julie Garnye, Kait Kerrigan, Matt Leahy
and Mick Bleyer,
with Kate Shindle onstage and Brian Lowdermilk at the piano.
with Kate Shindle onstage and Brian Lowdermilk at the piano.
Videos