Important stuff from NYMF HQ

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, the flagship program of The National Music Theater Network, 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.

Hailed as "the Sundance of Musical Theatre," our annual festival of new works takes over midtown Manhattan for three weeks each fall, with a slate of more than 30 full productions and some 100 workshops, readings, concerts, parties, seminars, and other special events celebrating the newest generation of musical theater artists.  Providing a unique showcase for the newest generation of musical theater artists and a powerful engine for new work, the festival has premiered more than 130 new musicals since 2004 -- many of which have gone on to subsequent award-winning productions on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at theaters in 38 states and nine countries.  In 2005, NYMF was awarded the $100,000 Jujamcyn Theaters Prize for its “extraordinary contribution to the development of creative talent in the theater."

In addition to productions around the country and the globe, several shows from past Festivals have returned to New York this year, including The Blue Flower, produced by Prospect Theatre Company, and Next To Normal (formerly titled Feeling Electric) at Second Stage Theatre, joining 2004 NYMF hit Altar Boyz -- which has played more than 1,000 performances and is now in its fourth year Off-Broadway at New World Stages.  NYMF alum [title of show], which garnered an OBIE-winning run Off-Broadway in 2006, opens at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway on July 17, 2008.