Programming and creative teams have been unveiled for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's upcoming 27th annual Festival of New Musicals, set for October 23-24 at New World Stages. Included in the works getting developmental performances this year is Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, and Chris Dimond's musical Finn, previously one of the casualties of new programming restrictions at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center.

The musical had been scheduled to tour via the arts organization prior to President Trump's takeover, after which it was canceled. Venue representatives contend the cancellation pre-dated Trump's involvement with the organization, though the musical's creators have said publicly that their own notification of the cancellation did not mesh with that timeline.

In Finn, a gentle young shark feels out of place among his shark family. He then discovers he may fit in more with fish. The musical features a book and lyrics by Dimond and Nee, and music by Kooman. Marc Bruni will direct the upcoming performances, with Meg Zervoulis Bate music directing and Bibiana Torres serving as creative assistant. Kira Harris is line producer, and Braley Degenhardt (of Atlantic Theater Company) and Ann-Carol Pence (of Aurora Theatre) are festival consultants.

Also slated to be presented during the festival are Alice Bliss, The King of Harlem, Love is Dead, Particle, Roja, Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s), and Wakeman.

Alice Bliss follows a high school sophomore contending with a father deployed to Iraw. Chay Yew is directing the new musical based on Laura Harrington's novel, which features a book by Karen Hartman, music by Jenny Giering, and lyrics by Adam Gwon. Chris Fenwick will music direct, Arnaldo Galbán Rivero is creative assistant, Kira Harris is line producer, and Theater Latté Da's Elisssa Adams and Sony Music Publishing's Liz Ulmer are festival consultants.

Featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Jon-Michael Lyles (A Strange Loop) and David Gomez, The King of Harlem is centered on an up-and-coming Black prize fighter whose chance meeting with a desirable young man puts his upcoming nuptials in need of a re-think. Raja Feather Kelly (A Strange Loop) is directing, with music direction by Paul Byssainthe, Jr. and associate direction by Dominique Rider. Angs King Williams is creative assistant, and Abbie Thomas is line producer. Carnegie Mellon University's Rick Edinger and Diversionary Theatre's Kian Kline-Chilton are the festival consultants.

Love is Dead, about a heartbroken woman and a sexy ghost, features a book and music by Brett Ryback and a book and lyrics by Jeff Luppino-Esposito. Amy Anders Corcoran is directing, with music direction by Patrick B. Phillips. Caitlyn Primous is creative assistant, and Abbie Thomas is line producer. The festival consultants are Jaime Bartolett of Shea Theatricals and Neil Gooding Productions, and Adam Immerwahr of Village Theatre.

Described as a "multi-dimensional coming-of-age story set in the world of elite gaming," Particle features a book by Selda Sahin, Autumn Reeser, and Derek Gregor, with music by Gregor and lyrics by Sahin. Zi Alikhan is directing, and Andy Collopy will music direct. Matthew Nassida is serving as creative assistant, with Kira Harris as line producer and festival consultancy by Dev Bondarin of Prospect Musicals and Amber Wallace of Ogunquit Playhouse.

Roja brings Mexican folk music and Mestizo folklore to the story of Little Red Riding Hood, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Jaime Lozano and Tommy Newman. Florencia Cuenca is directing, and music direction is by Gonzalo Valencia-Peña. Amanda Saboia is serving as creative assistant, and Abbie Thomas is line producer. Jen Bender of Paper Mill Playhouse and Roy Lightner of Red Mountain Theatre Company are serving as festival consultants.

Kevin Wong has written Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s), about three brothers who have the magical ability to conjure images and sounds into the air. Telly Leung is directing, with Steven Tran as music director and Sarah Shin as creative assistant. Kira Harris is serving as line producer, with New York Theatre Barn's Joe Barros and East West Players' Lily Tung Crystal as festival consultants.

Wakeman puts a folk-rock and Americana score to the true story of Union soldier Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, also known as Lyons Wakeman. Jenn Grinels has written the book, music, and lyrics, and Sarna Lapine will direct. PJ Ju is music directing, with Miranda Paiz serving as creative consultant and Abbie Thomas as line producer. Center Theatre Group's Sonia Desai and Center Repertory Company's Matt Morrow will be festival consultants.

Registration for industry members is available at NAMT.org.