Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival-Selections Announced

The Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival is thrilled to announce the selections for the Second Annual Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival (AMTF), which will be held July 30 and 31, and August 1, 2017, at Out Front Theatre. The AMTF will be three nights of original musical theatre performances by local artists, as well as showcase performances of professional productions and educational groups. Performances will be open to the artistic community, the public, and the press. Twenty-two submissions were accepted and three shows have been selected for the second annual event. Tickets are $15-45 (not including taxes and fees), and will go on sale June 19th at www.TheAMTF.com. All three productions will be performed at Out Front Theatre, at 8pm on Sunday, July 30, Monday, July 31 and Tuesday, August 1. Out Front Theatre is located at 999 Brady Avenue Atlanta, GA 30318.

This year's selections will deliver a unique experience to the festival's patrons. They are each totally different from each other and will be a thrilling three nights of theatre. There are bylines and descriptions below.

"This year, AMTF received submissions from all over the world including Australia, New Zealand, and Russia. It was stunning!" says Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Benjamin Davis. "Our selections committee set a three-night festival, featuring three diverse and eclectic new musicals. We are very excited to see how these new musicals will impact our community, and as always, we hope this experience is beneficial to the development of these pieces."

Tickets will go one sale on the organization's website, www.TheAMTF.com, on Monday, June 19. The ticket prices range from $15 to $45, and passes for all three nights will be available, as well. Sponsorships are still available as well, and come with benefits that will enhance the patron's experience. Details are available on the AMTF website under "Donate & Sponsor".

The AMTF hosted a fundraising event, "Brewsical", at BlueTarp Brewing Company on April 3, to raise funds that will support this year's event. There were over 100 in attendance and the event featured the announcement of the 2017 Official Selections, and performances by artists who participate in AMTF. (Tax deductible donations are still being accepted at www.c4atlanta.org/project/amtf.)

"Our inaugural festival was a tremendous success last year. Over two days, we presented four new musicals to more than 400 patrons," says Davis. "Year two is shaping up to be even bigger and better. "Brewsical" was a smash hit, and we're looking forward to carrying that momentum into the summer."

Twenty-two submissions were received for the Second Annual Festival-three productions were selected and will be produced. The submissions deadline was February 1, and selections were announced April 3, 2017, at the fundraiser. The submissions were reviewed by the Selections Committee, made up of four veteran theatre professionals: Clifton Guterman, Bill Newberry, Jeff McKerley, and Theo Harness.

The AMTF is designed to take new work a few paces further, via work with the Festival's Artistic Advisors, to its presentation point at the Festival. Submissions for the 2018 Festival will open in the fall of 2017.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTIONS:

Cakewalk

Book and Lyrics by Beverly Trader Austin

Music by Bryan Mercer

Set in 1917 Claxton, Georgia, Cakewalk is a spicy satire, with a score rich in melodic eclecticism. Meet the Clugston family, led by patriarch Commissioner John Clugston, successful fruitcake manufacturer, whose heated race for mayor is complicated by the unfortunate behavior of his family and servants.

The Clugston's smart and insightful servant, Phoebe, pulls back the curtain on this mess of a family! There are scandalous surprises, philandering politicians, corrupt businessmen, calculating metrosexuals, and entitled young people. The women are addicted to liquor, boys, and the fashion of the moment. And everyone has a secret, each of which threatens to explode with devastating political consequences.

It's uncanny how the Clugstons of 1917 Georgia bear a disturbing resemblance to 2017 America.

In the Middle of the Ocean

Book, Music and Lyrics by Chris Alonzo

Equal parts fiery rock concert and virtuosic storytelling, In the Middle of the Ocean is a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience: a one-man punk rock opera adaptation of the myth of Orpheus, set in a pirate brothel in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a dizzying theatrical experience-spun against a backdrop of live indie rock tunes.

This surreal tale flips the script on Ovid's Orpheus and Eurydice; in this feminist anthem, one woman must brave a duel with the devil to win back everything.

Will our heroine, Camilla, find true love in self-imposed exile? Will the Gods intervene in the nick of time? Will there be lots of catchy tunes and profane jokes? (We can only guarantee the lattermost.)

Mother of God

Book and Lyrics by Christian Albright

Music by Christian Magby

When miracles were but memories and God's word was no longer present, faith and devotion were all that remained. "Divine intervention" was just a handed-down tale-no longer a possibility. God seemed absent to the world.

Mary of Nazareth, a believer, was called to accept the task of a lifetime. How could she know that bringing about a Savior would introduce peril to herself and those she loved?

Mother of God is the story of Mary's journey, adapted from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, revealing the strength, sacrifices, and fortitude required to be the mother of God.

Tickets will go on sale June 19th at www.TheAMTF.com

The Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival was born out of a desire to motivate local artists to continue to write musical theatre. Benjamin Davis, Founder and Executive Artistic Director, is an actor and producer. After participating in the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2015 as a producer, Ben saw an opportunity in the Atlanta community to nurture the writing population. The AMTF is designed to take new work a few paces further, via work with the Festival's Artistic Advisors, to its presentation point at the Festival. The goals are many: that the piece will grow and evolve in this process; that the artist might learn a new part of the creative process; that a producing theatre or director might become interested in the piece, or the playwright, or an actor; that there are new connections and networks formed. The mission of the AMTF is to "cultivate the next generation of theatre artists by mentoring talent, propelling new musicals forward, and celebrating the community in a supportive, nurturing, and creative environment."

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