NYMF Announces Twelve 'Invited Works' Musicals

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced 12 additional new musicals to join the 18 musicals previously announced as part of the 4th annual Festival from September 17 through October 7, 2007 in New York City. 

"The New York Musical Theatre Festival is the enormously popular three-week celebration that features the works of the newest generation of musical theatre writers.  The 12 musicals announced today (and listed below) are from NYMF's Invited Works Series, joining the 18 new works announced in May that were chosen from NYMF's open submissions Next Link Series," state press notes.
 
Kris Stewart, Executive Director and Isaac Robert Hurwitz, Executive Producer, note that several additional Invited Work musicals will be announced later in July.   As well, Messrs. Stewart and Hurwitz have revealed the names of the venues where the 2007 NYMF musicals will be presented:  Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre (410 West 42nd Street), The Barrow Group Theater (312 West 36th Street), The 45th Street Theatre (354 West 45th Street), Julia Miles Theater (424 West 55th Street), The Sage Theater (711 Seventh Avenue 2nd Fl.), and Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46th Street).  Memberships priced from $60 - $250 are available now by calling 212-664-0979.
 
"One of the fastest-growing theatre festivals in the country today, the New York Musical Theatre Festival has, in three short years, presented a total of 99 new musicals, many of which have gone on to subsequent productions at Off-Broadway and regional theatres around the country."
 
The 12 new musicals announced for the 2007 New York Musical Theatre Festival Invited Work Series are:
 
The Beastly Bombing, Or A Terrible Tale Of Terrorists Tamed By The Tangles Of True Love
Libretto by Julien Nitzberg; Music by Roger Neill
"Nitzberg and Neill's Gilbert & Sullivan-style romantic operetta about white supremacists and Al Qaeda terrorists plotting to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge has already been dubbed 'the first great work of comedy to emerge from the post-9/11 little planet of horrors.'  Winner, 'Best Musical of the Year,' L.A. Weekly Awards."
 
The Brain from Planet X
Book by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel, Music and Lyrics by Bruce Kimmel
"An affectionate and hilarious send-up of bad 50s sci-fi movies, The Brain from Planet X tells the story of an alien invasion circa 1958.  A Brain and its two alien cohorts, Zubrick and Yoni, arrive on Earth and plan to take over the San Fernando Valley – starting with the happy nuclear family, the Bunsons.  It's the first step on the road to their quest of taking over the entire planet and destroying the family unit.  It's tuneful, toe-tapping, and terrifyingly fun."
 
The Good Fight
Book and Lyrics by Nick Enright; Music by David King
"The story of one of Australia's greatest heroes is being brought to NYC by the Music Theatre Department of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Australia's most prestigious musical theatre school. The Good Fight plots an epic journey of two young men – one a national icon, the other a mere soldier in the trenches of World War I – caught between their personal beliefs and those of their wartime government.   From battle fields to boxing rings and the music hall stages of Australia and America, The Good Fight asks: What makes a hero?  This new Australian musical is written by Nick Enright (The Boy from Oz and the Oscar-nominated Lorenzo's Oil) and David King."
 
I See London, I See France – The Underwear Musical
Book by Vid Guerrerio, Music and Lyrics by Jeremy Desmon
"Can you have your beefcake and eat it too?  When brainy fashion ad exec Gina is dumped for a bimbo on her 35th birthday, her universe starts to crumble as she finds herself falling in lust with the dim-but-smoldering poster boy for her agency's most salacious campaign. In this fast-paced, scantily-clad musical comedy, seven colorful characters drag Gina to the brink of insanity and back on a round-the-globe search for love, happiness and an underwear ad that just might change the world."
 
The Kids Left, the Dog Died, What Next?
Book, Music and Lyrics by Carole Lonner
"The Kids Left, the Dog Died, What Next? follows four baby boomers standing at life's crossroads – empty nests, waning marriages, aging bodies and the arrival of the AARP membership card!  What do you do when you only see your friends in the waiting room?  Who (or what) lurks in the divorcee dating scene?  How many great loves do you really get?  What exactly is Botox?  And how could you possibly be related to your grandchildren?  Find the answers to these questions and more in this warm, witty new revue."
 
The Legend of Stagecoach Mary
Book and Lyrics by Thomas Mizer; Music by Curtis Moore
"The Legend of Stagecoach Mary spins the tall tale of a pistol-packing female outlaw, ex-slave Mary Fields, who heads to Montana in the 1880s to find freedom, adventure and her long-lost best friend.  She is forced to work for the saintly, though potty-mouthed, Mother Superior of a ramshackle frontier convent and her emotional journey mixes sweet melodies, roof-raising dances, and slapstick comedy!"
 
Like Love
Book and Lyrics by Barry Jay Kaplan, Music by Lewis Flinn
"A man and a woman fall in love, get to know more about each other and have great sex.  Except in Like Love, it all happens in reverse: the man and woman start out having great sex, then reluctantly get to know more about each other, and finally, surprising them both, fearfully fall in love.  All the while they are being manipulated by the personification of Love, who thinks the situation is under control, but is shocked to realize how complicated falling in love can be."
 
Love Kills
Book, Music and Lyrics by Kyle Jarrow
"Charles Starkweather murdered 11 victims in Nebraska and Wyoming during a road trip with his underage girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate. He became a national fascination, eventually inspiring the films Badlands and Natural Born Killers and the Bruce Springsteen song 'Nebraska.' Obie Award-winning Hipster playwright Kyle Jarrow (A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant) uses their story to explore the nature of love, desire and passion… and the lengths to which some people will go to hang on to these feelings."
 
Maccabeat!
Songs Harvey Shield and Richard Jarboe, Book and additional lyrics and music by Chayim Ben Za'aev; based on portions of the 1st & 2nd Book of Maccabees (Apocrypha)
"In this pop rock musical version of the Hanukkah story, Judah Maccabee and his brothers sing doo wop, chase girls, and try to remain true to their Jewish faith in a world where it's cool to be Greek.  It may not have happened quite this way in the Bible, but hey – you never know."
 
The Piper
Book by, Music and Lyrics by Marcus Hummon
"A strangler lurks in Boston's shadows.  Jordan, a courageous young innkeeper and former prostitute, tries desperately to keep her friends and son as far away as possible from the mysterious killer, only to find that he might just be her new boarder.  The Piper follows The Strangler and his victims through the brothels, inns, pubs and alleyways of late-19th century Scolley Square and boasts a dynamic Celtic-influenced score by Grammy Award-winner Marcus Hummon."
 
Roller Derby
Book by Barry Arnold, Music by John Braden and Harold Wheeler, Lyrics by John Braden and Barry Arnold
"On the road in 1972, a brash young rookie from NYC's mean streets takes on the sport's beloved but aging star in a battle royal for the title of Roller Derby Queen. Rockin' and rollin' with the ten colorful gals and guys on their squad, famous to TV fans as the world champion Bombers, the rivals meet their match, discovering more than they ever dared to dream about life, love and how the game is played. Five-time Tony Award nominated Donald McKayle directs and choreographs to a lively pop/rock score by award winning composers John Braden and Harold Wheeler, with a book by Barry Arnold."
 
Unlock'd
Words by Sam Carner, Music by Derek Gregor
"Unlock'd - Classical meets pop in this funny, screwball musical set in a world where beauty is everything! In lavish Hampton Court, surrounded by mischievous spirits, feisty young Clarissa fights to win the heart of the Baron from her gorgeous stepsister Belinda. Chaos ensues and teacups shatter when the Baron's geeky brother Edwin enters the fray. Everyone, grab your scissors, and prepare to become Unlock'd!"
 
These 12 new musicals from NYMF's Invited Work Series join the previously announced 18 musicals from NYMF's open submission Next Link series: The Angle Of The Sun, Austentatious, Back Home, The Boy In The Bathroom, Emma, The Family Fiorelli, Gemini The Musical, Going Down Swingin', Little Egypt, Look What A Wonder Jesus Has Done, Love Sucks, Mud Donahue & Son, Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood, Sherlock Holmes - The Early Years, Such Good Friends, Sympathy Jones, Tully (In No Particular Order), and The Yellow Wood. 
 
"Now in its fourth year, NYMF exists to provide a launching pad for emerging musical theatre writers, composers, lyricists and performers, and to bring a new generation of work to new and diverse audiences.
 
In addition to The Next Link Project, the 2007 Festival will include almost 20 additional productions invited from around the world; a series of panels and seminars featuring industry leaders; numerous readings, concerts and cabaret performances; as well as an array of umbrella events co-presented with other musical theater organizations around the city.
 
Memberships for the 2007 Festival are now on sale, and provide the best way for audiences to guarantee access to the hottest productions and their choice of performances.  Memberships combine charitable contributions to the Festival with valuable, flexible subscription packages. Members receive complimentary tickets and can book their seats a month before the general public; they also receive priority seating at the theater, as well as insider information, exclusive programming, and other benefits."
 
NYMF Platinum Membership $250 (includes a $100 tax-deductible donation) includes TEN complimentary tickets with guaranteed access to the shows you want!  First come-first serve seating at NYMF shows, before doors open for general admission and 2 complimentary tickets to a private reading during the festival.  Platinum members have access to purchase additional tickets during the exclusive members-only period for only $20 per ticket.  There is free entry to the NYMF Opening and Closing night celebrations.  Discount admission at all NYMF Partner Events.  Members-only discount at the official NYMF bar.  Invitation to select members-only events.  Platinum members receive acknowledgement on the NYMF website.
 
NYMF Gold Membership $100 (includes a $40 tax-deductible donation) includes FOUR complimentary tickets with guaranteed access to the shows you want!  First come-first serve seating at NYMF shows, before doors open for general admission.  There is free entry to the NYMF Opening and Closing night celebrations.  Discounted admission at all NYMF Partner Events.  Members-only discount at the official NYMF bar. Invitation to select members-only events.  Gold members receive acknowledgement on the NYMF website.
 
NYMF Silver Membership $60 (includes a $30 tax-deductible donation) includes TWO complimentary tickets with guaranteed access to the shows you want!  First come-first serve seating at NYMF shows, before doors open for general admission.  Members-only discount at the official NYMF bar.  Invitation to select members-only events.  Silver members receive Acknowledgement on the NYMF website. 
 
"Hailed as 'the Sundance of Musical Theatre,' NYMF is widely regarded as an essential source for new material and talent discovery, The New York Musical Theatre Festival is the largest musical theatre event in America, and has presented over 90 musicals in its first three years – including the hit shows Altar Boyz, [title of show], and The Great American Trailer Park Musical.  In 2007, it will present its 100th musical production.
 
Already this past season in New York, two musicals from past Festivals – The Big Voice: God or Merman (NYMF '04) and Gutenberg! The Musical (NYMF '06) – have played successful runs Off-Broadway, and two more – Nerds://A Musical Software Satire and Meet John Doe - enjoyed a successful regional runs in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. respectively.  Party Come Here (NYMF '06) will be presented this summer at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Tom Kitt's musical Feeling Electric (NYMF '05), now titled Next to Normal, will be presented at Second Stage Theatre's upcoming season.  NYMF's 2004 hit Altar Boyz is now in its third year and fast approaching its 1,000th performance Off-Broadway at New World Stages."
 
Visit www.nymf.org for more information.