Tony Winner Jessie Mueller to Serve as Honorary Chair of 2016 New York Musical Festival

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF), previously known as The New York Musical Theater Festival, has announced Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller (Waitress, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical) as the 2016 NYMF Honorary Chair. The 2016 New York Musical Festival will be presented from July 11 through August 7 in various venues in Midtown Manhattan.

Mueller received a 2016 Tony nomination for her portrayal of Jenna in the new Sara Bareilles musical, Waitress. Mueller won the 2014 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and a 2015 Grammy Award for her performance as Carole King in Beautiful, The Carole King Musical. She made her Broadway debut opposite Harry Connick Jr. in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, for which she received Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations. She was also seen on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drama Desk nomination) and Nice Work If You Can Get It. In her native Chicago, Mueller has won acclaim for starring roles in She Loves Me (Joseph Jefferson Award), Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Curtains and Carousel (Joseph Jefferson Award), among other musicals.

"I grew up loving and appreciating classical musical theatre, but my greatest opportunities in recent years have been in the collaboration and creation of new musicals. These new pieces are inspiring, and represent our current culture in a way that's never been done before," said Mueller. "In a world bombarded by technology, detachment, and a loss of empathy, musical theatre strives to be a platform of true community, communion, and communication, where everyone's stories are being told and everyone's voices are being heard. And, when lyric, melody, and story come together in perfect synthesis, the impact is like no other. I'm so excited to see what this year of new musicals brings!"

"As a celebrated star of bold, new Broadway musicals, we are thrilled to have Jessie Joining us as Honorary Chair this Festival season," said Rachel Sussman, NYMF Director of Programming & Artist Services.

NYMF also announced their 2016 Artistic Advisors: Stephanie J. Block, Jenn Colella, Joe Iconis, Christopher Jackson, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Thomas Kail, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Rob McClure, Shakina Nayfack, Casey Nicholaw, Tonya Pinkins, Billy Porter, Josh Prince, Phillipa Soo, and LiLlias White.

Individual tickets for 2016 NYMF are now on sale in addition to NYMF Passes. NYMF Passes offer discounted tickets, early ticket booking, and priority seating. Visit nymf.org/tickets for more information on both individual tickets and NYMF Passes.

The previously announced lineup of productions, readings, concerts and events for the 2016 NYMF includes BREAKING THE MOON; ILLA!, THE GOLD; SINGLE; CAMP ROLLING HILLS; LUDO'S BROKEN BRIDE; QUICK AND FUNNY MUSICALS; ARTEMIS IN THE PARKING LOT; CRUDE; Molly Murphy & NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON ON OUR LAST DAY ON EARTH; DUST CAN'T KILL ME; FOREST BOY; NEWTON'S CRADLE; NICKEL MINES; NORMATIVITY; LISA AND LEONARDO; THE FIRST CHURCH OF MARY, THE REPENTANT PROSTITUTE'S FIFTH ANNUAL BENEFIT CONCERT, REVIVAL, AND POT LUCK DINNER; THE LAST WORD; TINK!; A SCYTHE OF TIME; CHILDREN OF SALT; ICON; EH DAH? - QUESTIONS FOR MY FATHER; PLAY LIKE A WINNER; COOKIES; REMISSION; TOUCHÉ; BREAD AND ROSES; ULTIMATE MAN!; THE BABY PROJECT; A LASTING IMPRESSION; OUTLIERS; STILL READY: Rob Rokicki IN CONCERT; FREEDOM RIDERS; MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET; ONE CHILD BORN: THE MUSIC OF Laura Nyro; and more. For a full list of productions, readings, concerts and events visit NYMF.org.For a full list of productions, events, and concerts, visit NYMF.org.

This year, the Festival will take place July 11 through August 7 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a NEW 42ND STREET Project (229 W 42nd Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues); The Pearl Theatre (555 West 42nd Street); 416 West 42nd Street, Playwrights Horizons Rehearsal Studios; June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street, NY, NY 10018); 42West NY (514 West 42 St); The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street) and Theater 511 (511 W 54th Street).

Dan Markley serves as NYMF Executive Director & Producer. Curation of the 2016 Festival is led by Rachel Sussman, who joins NYMF this year as Director of Programming & Artist Services. A Grand Jury panel of industry experts helped to determine the musical lineup of the Festival.

This year's Grand Jury included Tony Award-winning actor Michael Cerveris, OBIE and Drama Desk Award-winning actress Donna Lynne Champlin, Two River Theater Literary Manager Anika Chapin, Creative Director, Fox Stage Productions Isaac Robert Hurwitz, Tony Award-winning producer Jane Dubin, Director of Theater Arts Program at The National Black Theater Jonathan McCrory, Tony Award and Drama Desk Award-nominated actor and writer Tony Sheldon, playwright, lyricist, and actress Gretchen Cryer, Drama Desk Award-winning actor Santino Fontana, Tony Award Nominated, Drama Desk and OCC Award Winning actress Montego Glover, Broadway director West Hyler, Tony Award-nominated director Leigh Silverman, and Laurence Olivier Award-winning choreographer Sergio Trujillo.