The festival, running April 12-20, will feature staged readings of two new musicals and two new plays as part of TheatreWorks' New Works Initiative, which seeks out new material and serves as a collaborative matchmaker for writers and composers.
Following a successful bow at the 2007 New York Musical Theatre Festival, Unlock'd, a comedic retelling of Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock," features a score by Derek Gregor, with book and lyrics by Sam Carner. Jana Robbins will direct the reading. Unlock'd will be presented April 12, 17 and 19 at 7:30 PM.
Matthew Sweet's coming-of-age musical Girlfriend, featuring a score by Sweet and a book by Todd Almond, "explores the precarious relationship between two teens with a secret in a red-state town without pity," according to press notes. Patrick Trettenero directs Girlfriend, which will play April 19 at 2:30 PM and April 20 at 7:30 PM.
Joe DiPietro's latest play, Creating Claire, will be presented April 13 at 7:30 PM and April 20 at 2:30 PM. Robert Kelly directs Claire, which, according to press notes, "explores the supernova that explodes when science, faith, and politics collide… Faced with a drifting husband and an autistic daughter, Claire needs a little faith to change her life."
Touch(ed), the latest work from Bess Wohl, begins after the breakdown of its central character, Emma, who pens a brilliant bestseller following her transition back into her normal life after going off medication. Kent Nicholson directs the work that is slated for April 16 and 18 at 7:30 PM. All of the writers represented will be in residence throughout the New Works Festival. An artist panel discussion, including all of the represented writers, will take place at 7 PM on April 15.
All Festival performances and panels will be held at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Second Stage.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts is located at 500 Castro Street (at Mercy) in Palo Alto, CA. For tickets and festival passes call (650) 903-6000 or visit theatreworks.org.
