'The Road to Ruin' to Run Sept, 18th- Oct. 1st

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of THE ROAD TO RUIN. This new musical comedy is based on the 1928 silent movie of the same name, a cult favorite on par with Reefer Madness and Cocaine Fiends. With book, music and lyrics by William Zeffiro, the production is directed by Mary Catherine Burke with choreography by Sea Sullivan and music direction by David Cladwell. Performances begin September 18 at The 45th Street Theater.

Set somewhere in New Jersey, THE ROAD TO RUIN is the cautionary tale of 15 year old "Little Sally Canfield" -- the nicest girl at Central High. When evil temptress Eve exposes Sally to her dark, delinquent side, it destroys Sally's dreams. But Soon, Sally's provincial life is surrounded by dark forces including narcissistic parents, a holier-than-thou entrepreneur, an alcoholic business woman, desperate housewives lusting after well-built young men, as well as an assortment of college athletes, strippers, prostitutes and dancing rabbits. The absurdity of America's moral conscience in 1928 is exposed through eerily familiar Corporate Christians, the self-help movement, and the bottled water health craze. But can Sally find redemption?

The production stars Brooke Sunny Moriber (The Wild Party, James Joyce's The Dead), Ann Morrison (Merrily We Roll Along, LoveMusik), Lori Hammel (Mamma Mia), John O'Creagh (The Field), Cristina Fadale (Rent), Michael Dantuono (42nd Street), and Christy McIntosh (Evil Dead: The Musical, Elvis and Juliet) with sets by Jesse Poleshuck, lighting by Jeff Croiter and costumes by Sarah Maiorino.

Even without a full production, THE ROAD TO RUIN has already spawned an acclaimed 2005 "cast" album from Original Cast Records (starring George S. Irving and Ann Morrison). It was a National Alliance For Musical Theatre semi-finalist in 2006 and further developed in cooperation with The Academy for New Musical Theatre in Los Angeles, East of Doheny, and The Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle. In 2006, Mrs. Kitty Carlisle Hart, invited THE ROAD TO RUIN to be performed in her apartment; it was the final performance at the legendary East 64th Street address.

In addition to THE ROAD TO RUIN, William Zeffirol produced and performed on the debut recording of Randy Newman's song, "Stupid Little Songs" with Brooke Sunny Moriber. Other recent projects: Producer/Music Supervisor of the Original Cast Recording of Jack: An Opera About The Life Of John F. Kennedy and producing Kitty Carlisle Hart's final recordings in 2006. Other writing projects include scripts for USA Television Network's Up All NIght and The Backseat Of The Lincoln, a play about obsession with the Kennedy assassination. He is regarded as an expert on the music of Kay Swift, and co-produced the 1986 Merkin Hall concert featuring Ms. Swift, Steve Ross, Julie Wilson and Balcom and Morris.

Hailed as "the Sundance of Musical Theatre," The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) exists to revitalize one of America's greatest art forms by discovering, supporting and promoting new musical theater artists, producers, and projects, and by introducing a diverse audience to the vibrancy of contemporary musical theater. Since its inception in 2004, the three-week annual festival has premiered more than 130 new musicals - many of which have gone on to award-winning productions in New York, in regional theaters and on tour worldwide. Widely regarded as an essential source for new material and talent discovery, NYMF is the flagship program of The National Music Theater Network. NYMF is supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and 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. Festival memberships are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.nymf.org or by calling 212-352-3101; single tickets go on sale on September 1. For more information visit www.nymf.org.

THE ROAD TO RUIN runs Thurs. Sept. 18, Fri. Sept. 19, Sun. Sept. 21, Thurs. Sept. 25, & Sun. Sept. 28 at 8:00pm and Weds. Oct. 1. at 4:30pm. The 45th Street Theater is located at 354 W. 45th Street (between 8th and 9th Aves). Tickets are $18, available at 212-352-3101 or www.nymf.org beginning September 1. For more information visit www.theroadtoruin.com