Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with MANUEL VERSUS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY at NYMF

Winner of the 2014 NYMF Developmental Reading Series, this Latin infused American musical is inspired by the true story of a Princeton Undergrad who was an undocumented child immigrant from the Dominican Republic. When Manuel gets a scholarship to study at Oxford, he's faced with the realization that he can't leave the USA. He takes on The Statue ofLiberty in the fight of a lifetime; the high-stakes boxing match that is immigration today. IsManuel worthy? No one is spared in this political comedy that pulls no punches about immigration reform and the American Dream. Scroll down for a peek at the cast in rehearsal!

Manuel versus The Statue of Liberty has a book by Noemi de la Puente, music by David Davila Lyrics by Noemi de la Puente & David Davila with direction by José Zayas, choreography by Sidney Erik Wright, fight choreography by Adele Rylands, and musical direction by Karl Hedrick. Also on the creative team are Zach Blane (Lighting Design), David Margolis Lawson (Sound Design), Jason Simms (Set Design), Lux Haac (Costume Design).

The cast includes Gil Perez - Abraham (Little Fish) as Manueland Shakina Nayfack (2015 Lilly Award, One Woman Show) as The Statue of Libertyjoining, AJ Meijer (Heathers The Musical), Alicia Taylor Tomasko (In The Heights), Anthony Chan (National Tour: Anything Goes), Erika Gonzalez (Shot in the Dark), Michael Marotta (Regional: Tenderly), and Tami Dahbura (National Tour: Memphis).

NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL nurtures the creation, production, and public presentation of stylistically, thematically, and culturally diverse new musicals to ensure the future vitality of musical theatre.

Now in its twelfth 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 all 50 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 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. For more information, visit www.nymf.org.

Photo Credit: ShIra Friedman

Shakina Nayfack, AJ Meijer, and Erika Gonzalez

Tami Dahbura, Anthony Chan, and Shakina Nayfack

Erika Gonzalez, Anthony Chan, and Tami Dahbura

Alicia Taylor Tomasko, Performer, and AJ Meijer

Alicia Taylor Tomasko and Tami Dahbura

AJ Meijer, Shakina Nayfack, and Performer

Performer, Anthony Chan, and AJ Meijer

Alicia Taylor Tomasko, Shakina Nayfack, Performer, and AJ Meijer

Jose Zayas, David Davila, Noemi de la Puente, Karl Hedrick, and Sidney Erik Wright

Erika Gonzalez, AJ Meijer, Shakina Nayfack, Michael Marotta, Joshua Quinn, David Davila, Imani Champion, Adriana Sosa, Alicia Taylor Tomasko, Noemi de la Puente, Anthony Chan, Tami Dahbura, Karl Hedrick, Jose Zayas, Performer, Sidney Erik Wright)