Several Broadway favorites are slated to perform in The New Group's second annual FreeFest, a week-long festival of free readings featuring new works. Conceived and curated by The New Group’s Director of Artistic Projects Shariffa Ali, the festival will run June 13-20 at the Pershing Square Signature Center.
Artists set to participate include Danny Bo, Kirstyn Bollard, Donna Lynne Champlin, Damon Daunno, Aisha De Haas, Alaina Janelle Ferris, Keri Rene Fuller, Chad Goodridge, Amber Gray, Fernell Hogan, Zainab Jah, Austin Ku, Katrina Lenk, Nicholas Matos, Euan Morton, Mason Alexander Park, Matilda Luz Concha Pearson, Kate Pittard, Hubert Point Du Jour, Lacy Rose, Colton Ryan, Milly Shapiro, Emily Skinner, Mariand Torres, Kuhoo Verma, Natalie Walker, and Antu Yacob, with more to be announced.
The three featured musicals include The Female Pope, with a book and lyrics by Shannon Burkett, music by Heather Christian, direction by Johanna McKeon, and music direction by Brian Usifer; hag, with a book and lyrics by Kate Douglas, music and lyrics by Grace McLean, direction by Kate Whoriskey, and music direction by Or Matias; and The Last Bimbo of The Apocalypse, which is directed by and developed with Rory Pelsue, with a book by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley, music and lyrics by Breslin, additional music and lyrics by Foley, and music direction by Dan Schlosberg.
Plays that will receive readings include Red Taxi by Banna Desta, which will be directed by Yohana Desta; and Hold Still by Nadia Davids, which will be directed by Jay Pather.
“FreeFest is back and it's bigger than ever!,” Ali said in a statement. “It is with excitement and joy that I get to share these exceptional stories by artists of extraordinary ability. For me, the theatre is the place where we can be our most brave and daring selves. Each of these pieces seek to do just that. I hope you will join us and give them a hospitable welcome.”
The Female Pope and hag are presented in collaboration with The Pipeline Arts Foundation. Both were honored with 2024 Pipeline Awards, which award creative teams with cash prizes or presentations to continue development of ground-breaking work.
Readings are free and open to the public, with reservations required.
Visit TheNewGroup.org for more information.
