The National Alliance for Musical Theatre has revealed the line-up for its upcoming 35th Annual Festival of New Musical, which will return for in-person performances at New World Stages October 26 and 27. The event spotlights eight in-development musicals with 45-minute concert presentations. Industry members can attend for free, with general access available through a donation to NAMT.
The annual offering has become a vital proving ground for new musicals, with past Festival presentations including Come From Away, Lempicka, The Drowsy Chaperone, Lizard Boy, Teeth, Benny & Joon, Darling Grenadine, Ordinary Days, Striking 12, It Shoulda Been You, Interstate, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, among others.
This year's roster will include Fallout, with music and lyrics by Dmitry Koltunov and a book by David Goldsmith; Fountain, with a book, music, and lyrics by Christopher Anselmo and Jared Corak; Fountain of You, with a book and lyrics by Tasha Gordon-Solmon and music by Faye Chiao; Mija, with music and lyrics by Anna Gilbert and Gaby Moreno and a book by Evynne Hollens and Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth; Never Be King, with music by Charlie H. Ray and Sam Columbus, and a book and lyrics by Ray; The Oscar Micheaux Project (Working Title), with music by Alphonso Horne, lyrics by Jesse L. Kearney Jr. and Peter Mills, a book by Kearney Jr. and Cara Reichel, and additional music by Mills; Wonder Boy, with a book, music and lyrics by Jaime Jarrett; and Yoko's Husband's Killer's Japanese Wife, Gloria, with a book by Brandy Hoang Collier, lyrics by Clare Fuyuko Bierman, and music by Erika Ji.
The eight musicals were selected from 575 submissions—the largest in the Festival's history—by a panel of 18 theatre professionals.
"Following last year's successful return to live Festival performances, we eagerly anticipate bringing together eight brilliant writing teams from all corners of the country at New World Stages in New York City this fall," says NAMT Executive Director Betsy King Militello in a statement. "The overwhelming number of exceptional submissions we received this year has surpassed last year’s impressive count, reflecting the creative spirit and resilience of our community. We are thrilled to introduce the eight selected shows to the musical theatre field in October."
Casting and further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Industry members interested in attending can register for access at NAMT.org.
