The National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 30th annual Festival of New Musicals will feature a host of stage favorites in eight new shows, presented October 25–26.
The industry event showcases 45-minute concert adaptations of new musicals in the stages of development for producers and artists, helping them to find future life and development at theatres across the U.S. and internationally. Among those taking the stage this year are Tony nominee Hailey Kilgore (Once On This Island), Caissie Levy (Frozen), Will Roland (Be More Chill), Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Tony nominee Will Swenson (Waitress).
Read: 16 MUSICALS THAT GOT THEIR START AT NAMT
Take a look at the initial casting below:
17 Again
Featuring a book by Marco Pennette and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner
Director: Gary Griffin
Music Director: Ben Cohn
The cast includes Mallory Elizabeth Bechtel, Janet Krupin, Caissie Levy, Will Roland, Colton Ryan, Will Swenson, Josh Tower, and Marissa Jaret Winokur
A.D. 16
Featuring a book by Bekah Brunstetter and music and lyrics by Cinco Paul
Director: Stephen Brackett
Musical Director: Julie McBride
The cast includes Ben Fankhauser, Greg Hildreth, Hailey Kilgore, Bonnie Milligan, and Graham Stevens
Gun & Powder
Featuring a book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri and music by Ross Baum
Director: Warren Adams
Musical Director: Steven Jamail
The cast includes Colin Anderson, Allison Blackwell, Rebecca Covington Webber, Liisi LaFontaine, Solea Pfeiffer, Emily Rogers, Ryan Shaw, Donald Webber Jr., and Tony Yazbeck
Monstersongs
Featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Director: Jenn Thompson
Musical Director: Emily Marshall
The cast includes Sam Cieri, J. Quinton Johnson, Euan Morton, Julia Murney, and Luca Padovan
The River Is Me
Featuring a book and lyrics by Sukari Jones and music by Troy Anthony
Director: Schele Williams
The cast includes Jeremy Kushnier
Row
Featuring a book by Daniel Goldstein and music and lyrics by Dawn Landes
Adapted from the book A Pearl in the Storm by Tori Murden McClure
Director: Anne Kauffman
Musical Director: Wiley Deweese
The cast includes Jeannette Bayardelle, Andrew Durand, Jo Lampert, and Kristen Sieh
XY
Featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Oliver Houser, developed with Hunter Bird
Director: Hunter Bird
Music Director: Jennifer Lin
The cast includes Jacob Morrell, Isabella Russo, and Miiko Toiviainen
No word yet on casting for the eighth title, Rhys Jennings and Darren Clark's The Wicked Husband. Additional casting for the remaining shows will be announced at a later date.
Registration for industry members is free and now open at NAMT.org. The public can additionally receive passes to the Festival through a donation to NAMT. There is also a day-of standby line for the general public for free admission (based on availability).