The honorary chairs of the Festival are Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Jason Alexander and Angela Lansbury.

The Festival will be home to full productions, staged readings, workshops of musicals in progress, cabaret events, concerts, master classes and other events. The producers are working in partnership with more than twenty Southern California area performing arts organizations, each of which will produce a new American musical during the Festival time period.

Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, Musical Theatre Guild, Celebration Theatre, Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Wilshire Theatre and many colleges and high schools have Festival events secured at this time with discussions continuing with other cultural institutions.

Marcia Seligson said, “Southern California is a focus point for new musicals – and once we began to organize this Festival we found that composers, lyricists, directors, and performers all lived here and wanted to find a way to highlight the huge amount of musical theatre activity here. Our two month Festival is the first of its kind of celebrate new musicals on such a grand scale.”

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was quoted in the Christian Science Monitor as saying, “Los Angeles is pushing this country’s cultural envelope across the arts spectrum – from experimental architecture to our unabashed pursuit of edgy, young composers – and I could not be prouder to add performing arts to the list. I hope this ambitious festival blossoms into a magnet for new talent for years to come.”

The Festival organization will supply an umbrella marketing campaign. Irwin Kornfeld at Westchester Media is in charge of sponsorships; the Festival is supported in part by the City and County of Los Angeles. The Festival’s website is now online at www.lafestival.org.

The Festival of New American Musicals is presented by BNY Mellon Bank, and sponsored by the ASCAP Foundation, KUSC, BACKSTAGE, the Jewish Community Foundation, Greenberg & Glusker, Joseph Drown Foundation, the Rosenthal Foundation, with support from The City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Events of the Festival include (in date order – updated 4/4/08):

Pre-Festival Event -- “Dancing in the Dark” Music by Arthur Schwartz. Lyrics by Howard Dietz. Playwright Douglas Carter Beane (Broadway’s “Xanadu”) and Director Gary Griffin (Broadway’s “The Color Purple”) are bringing this musical extravaganza to the Globe stage and then to Broadway! In “Dancing in the Dark”, Tony Hunter is a Hollywood star with a career on the wane. Jeffrey Cordova is a Shakespearean actor-manager with a taste for high art. Together they team with a diverse assortment of theatrical personalities to create a new musical that’s strictly “entertainment.” With a score that includes “A Shine On Your Shoes,” “That’s Entertainment!,” and the classic title song, musical comedy that will audiences dancing in the aisles. Old Globe Theatre Pre-Festival event March 4 to April 13. Tickets for “Dancing in the Dark” are on sale at www.theoldglobe.org, or by phone at 619-23-GLOBE (234-5623). General information is available online by visiting www.theoldglobe.org.

“Enter The Guardsman” (Music: Craig Bohlmer; Lyrics: Marion Adler; Book: Scott Wentworth.) A dazzling musical adaptation of Molnar’s play is filled with laughter, love, and enchanting music. Covina Center for the Performing Arts/StageARTS Rep. May 1- 24.


“Brain from Planet X” Music and Lyrics by Bruce Kimmel; Book by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel. A science-fiction musical, based on one of Kimmel’s favorite bad sci-fi films of the 50s, features an actual singing Brain, two aliens named Zubrick and Yoni (Yoni being the man-hungry female, and Zubrick being the man-hungry male), an All-American Family, a General, an elderly Professor, and 17 musical numbers -- set in the San Fernando Valley in 1958. It will perform at the Chance Theatre in Anaheim, weekends May 3 to June 8th. Tickets for “Brain from Planet X” are on sale at www.chancetheatre.com, by phone at 714-777-3033, or in person at The Chance Theatre (2 hours before curtain on days of performance), 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. General information is available online by visiting www.chancetheatre.com.

“My Antonia” adapted from the Willa Cather novel, and directed by Scott Schwartz with incidental music by Stephen Schwartz, follows the journey of a spirited young immigrant girl and her family as they struggle to make a living and a life on the Nebraska plains in the late 1800s. The story is told through a series of flashbacks as recalled by Antonia's childhood friend Jim Burden. “My Antonia” is a soulful portrait of a simple yet heroic woman, celebrating the strength, passion and triumphant vitality of America's early pioneers. "No romantic novel ever written is half so beautiful." -H.L. Mencken. It will be performed at the Rubicon Theatre May 8 to June 1. Tickets for “My Antonia” are on sale at www.brownpapertickets.com, by phone at 805-667-2900, or in person at the Rubicon Theatre Box Office, 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura (Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm, Saturday: 11am-5pm, Sunday: 11am-1pm). General information is available online by visiting www.rubicontheatre.org. “My Antonia” will continue at Pacific Resident Theatre June 21 on. For tickets call (310) 822-8392.

“The Grapes of Wrath,” the West Coast premiere of a suite of music from the new musical drama by Ricky Ian Gordon with book by Michael Korie, based on the classic John Steinbeck novel, will be performed in concert by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by its musical director Grant Gershon. Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times said, ‘the sense of excitement is unmistakable … Gordon has a limitless reserve of songs … [and has] found the timeless and timely essence of Steinbeck’s epic.’ The New York Times said, “If the music of Ricky Ian Gordon had to be defined by a single quality, it would be the bursting effervescence infusing songs that blithely blur the lines between art, song and the high-end Broadway music of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim … it’s caviar for a world gorging on pizza.” Walt Disney Concert Hall on May 18, 2008. Tickets for “The Grapes of Wrath” are on sale at http://lamc.org, by phone at 213-972-7282 or 800-787-5262 in California (10 am–5 pm, Mon–Fri), or in person at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, 111 South Grand Avenue, at First Street in downtown Los Angeles (Noon–6 pm, Tue–Sun). General information is available online by visiting http://lamc.org.

“Norman’s Ark” by composer Glen Roven and writer Jerome Kass. “Norman’s Ark” is a contemporary musical re-telling of the Noah’s Ark story. A family of five is trapped on the roof of their house in the middle of a devastating flood, virtually submerged in water, waiting for a helicopter to come and rescue them. The Father, Norman, tries to calm his terrified family down by telling them a story about another flood the happened a million years ago. The kids say, "Dad, if you start telling us about Noah's Ark, we're going to push you off the roof." Norman says, "It's not Noah's Ark, it's Norman's Ark", and the kids are hooked. “Norman’s Ark” features a cast of 200 including a 100 piece community choir being put together for this event; 100 young community student performers as the animals and; the high school gymnastic athletes as ‘the storm.’ Ford Amphitheatre May 27 to June 8.

“Love, Janis” Musical direction and arrangements by Sam Andrew. Inspired by the book by Laura Joplin. Janis Joplin, the icon of 1960’s rock music, comes to life on stage in both music and words. “Love, Janis” explores the performer not only through her legendary songs, but also through the poignant and honest letters she wrote to her family. “Love, Janis” has played to critical acclaim in New York and San Francisco. The New York Times described the musical line-up as “just right…if there’s a real authenticity to the music, it’s probably because it was arranged and directed by Sam Andrew, an original member of Big Brother and the Holding Company and of Joplin’s next group, The Kozmic Blues Band.” The San Francisco Chronicle went on to say “The experience is more like hearing Janis live than any recording ever captured.” Wilshire Theatre May 29 to June 1. Tickets for “Love, Janis” are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 323-655-0111, or in person at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills Box Office, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills (Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm). General information is available online by visiting www.wtbh.com.

“Imagine” (Music: David O; Book/Lyrics: Doug Cooney) An imaginary friend gets dumped by his “real boy” and goes on an adventure to find a new friend in this musical delight about the wonder of imagination. World Premiere commission by South Coast Rep. May 30-June 15.

“The 10s” An evening of brand new ethnically kaleidoscopic 10-minute musicals by young composers. New works include: "The Alleged Adventures of Blender" Music, book and lyrics by Michael Gordon Shapiro. Winner of 2007 ACToberFest - Ten Minute Play Festival; “Wild Wild West" Music, book and Lyrics by Jan Michael Alejandro; "Memoirs of a Ninja"Book and Lyric by Keisuke Hoashi. Music by Brian Lew. Secret Rose Theatre. May 30th - June 8.

“A Very Brady Musical” (Music and Lyrics: Hope and Laurence Juber; Book by Lloyd Schwartz and Hope Juber) World premiere musical satire based on America’s favorite family, “The Brady Bunch.” “Get Bunched” while enjoying a great evening of reliving some special Brady moments that you secretly wished had happened. Theatre West. June 3 -July 20. (Opening Night June 6.)

“Return” is based on Sonia Levitin’s award-winning book The Return, which was inspired by the true story of “Operation Moses,” the secret airlift of 1984-85 that rescued 8,000 Ethiopian Jews from dire poverty, persecution and possible extinction. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winning choreographer, Donald McKayle with music by William Kevin Anderson, “Return” is the story of one girl’s journey to freedom. “Return” will premier at Edgemar Center for the Arts, June 5 through June 29 and July 10 through July 20, 2008. Please visit http://www.returnthemusical.com.

“Songs from an Unmade Bed,” Lyrics by Mark Campbell. One lyricist and 12 composers join forces to create unique music/theatre event, a solo work that propels a smart, resilient, wry and ultimately romantic gay New Yorker through the heartaches and triumphs of love in the big city. Mark Campbell’s lyrics on the endlessly surprising experience of urban romance have been set to an eclectic roster of composers including Debra Barsha, Mark Bennett, Peter Folex, Jenny Giering, Peter Golub, Jake Heggie, Stephen Hoffman, Lance H Orne, Gihieh Lee, Steve Marzullo, Brendan Milburn, Chris Miller, Greg Pliska, Duncan Sheik, Jeffrey Stock, Steven Lutvak, Kim Shermand and Joseph Thalken. Celebration Theatre. Previews June 4, opens June 6 through June 13. Tickets for “Songs from an Unmade Bed” are on sale at http://celebrationtheatre.tix.com/, by phone at 323-957-1884, or in person 30 minutes prior to the show at the Celebration Theatre Box Office, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. General information is available online by visiting www.celebrationtheatre.com.

“Sing Me A Happy Song,” a two act musical review by Georgia Stitt and David Kirshenbaum, is a collection of funny, moving, theatrical songs about discovery and surprise at the twists and turns one faces in life. The show takes us for an emotional ride on the rollercoaster of human experience and shows how, ultimately, all roads can lead to happiness. Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center June 14.

“American Tales” (Music: Jan Powell; Book/Lyrics: Ken Stone) Two one-act musicals based on short stories by classic American writers Mark Twain and Herman Melville. Antaeus Theater. June 18-through July 2008.

“It's Only Life” Music and Lyrics by John Bucchino; directed by Daisy Prince. A joyous musical revue featuring the work of Broadway discovery John Bucchino, a songwriting talent whose music and lyrics have been recorded by Art Garfunkel, Michael Feinstein, Judy Collins and Patti LuPone. The songs act like revelations – a moment in which the audience discovers something essential, and something elemental, about life.” Rubicon Theatre June 19 to July 13. Tickets for “It’s Only Life” are on sale at www.brownpapertickets.com,  by phone at 805-667-2900, or in person at the Rubicon Theatre Box Office, 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura (Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm, Saturday: 11am-5pm, Sunday: 11am-1pm). General information is available online by visiting www.rubicontheatre.org.

“The Fix” Book & Lyrics by John Dempsey; Music by Dana P. Rowe. The West Coast premiere of this 1997 hard-boiled commentary on American political dynasties. When presidential candidate Reed Chandler dies in his mistress’ bed, his maniacal wife and power-hungry brother thrust Reed’s spectacularly ill-suited, drug-abusing son into the political spotlight. Think Manchurian Candidate with “…a passionate, accomplished, witty, vigorous rock-tinged score” (USA Today). “The Fix is the most corrosive, explosive and gleefully wicked musical to come along in a long time” (AP). Musical Theatre Guild at the Alex Theatre. June 23, 2008. Tickets for “The Fix” are on sale at www.alextheatre.org,  by phone at 818-243-ALEX (2539), or in person at The Alex Theatre Box Office (open daily from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 p.m. and on performance days until one-half hour after the scheduled start time of the event), 16 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale. General information is available online by visiting www.alextheatre.org.



Readings and workshops

ANMT (Academy for New Musical Theatre) Events: BONNIE AND CLYDE. Concert Reading, April 28th, 7:30pm. Table reading of THE WATER, May 12th, 7:30pm, RED VS. BLUE: The 15 Minute Musicals ANMT's newest writers (and guest Tony winner Jeff Marx!) create five new 15 Minute Musicals, which go from page to stage in less than eight weeks. Colony Theatre, June 23 & 24, 7:30pm.


ASCAP/Festival Staged Reading Series. Three important new musicals, not previously seen in L.A., will be presented for two performances each. I MARRIED WYATT EARP, Book by Sheilah Rae, Thomas Edward West; Lyrics by Sheilah Rae; Music by Michele Brourman, at the Edye Second Space in Santa Monica, May 17th, 4:00 and 7:30 pm; THE TIMES, Music by Brad Ross; Book & lyrics by Joe Keenan Theatre West, June 18th and 19th, 8:00 pm


Rubicon Theatre Readings – “Daddy Long Legs,” “The Man Who Would Be King” and “One Red Flower” June 22 and July 1.
“One Red Flower,” A Musical Play by Paris Barclay and starring Maureen McGovern, adapted fort the stage from the collection: “Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam,” puts music to the thoughts, joys and fears of 2 Lt. Marion Lee, “Sandy” Kempner and a number of other men who served in the Vietnam War. The names have been changed, but the emotions are very real and very raw. Rubicon Theater Plays in Progress, June 22-July 1. Tickets for “One Red Flower” are on sale at www.brownpapertickets.com, by phone at 805-667-2900, or in person at the Rubicon Theatre Box Office, 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura (Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm, Saturday: 11am-5pm, Sunday: 11am-1pm). General information is available online by visiting www.rubicontheatre.org.


“We Can’t Stand Still” The William Grant Still Center presents workshops and performances for urban children exploring the art of musical theater. Dance, Acting, Voice, Musical Theatre, Stage Presence. Orientation, 9 AM-1 PM, June 7. Workshops June 18th, 19th & 20th, 4-7 PM. Free performance June 21st at noon all at the Center. Details at 213-(323) 734-1165.


Composer-lyricists in concert --

Stephen Schwartz Concert – Citrus College on May 3 (Preceded by a Master Class on the same day).
Jerry Herman with Donald Pippin, Jason Graae, Debbie Gravitte, and Ron Raines at Orange County Performing Arts Center Segerstrom Concert Hall on May 10.
Jason Robert Brown –Citrus College Concert May 16. Pepperdine University on May 18.
Cabaret Performances – Well known cabaret artists, such as Amanda McBroom, Marilynn Lovell Matz, Karen Mason, Jason Graae, Ann and Liz Calloway, Karen Morrow, and Faith Prince, as well as many others, will perform the work of current musical theatre composers and writers. Dates and venues to be announced.


College and High School Productions include

“All That He Was” – Palos Verdes High School April 25 to May 3.

“Klemperers’ New Clothes” – Birmingham High School May 2 through May 10.

Jason Robert Brown master class at Pepperdine University May 14, Citrus College May16

“Camila” at Santa Monica College May15-25.

“Fever” – South Gate High School May 15 to 17, followed by May 23 to 25 at Ricardo Montalban Theatre.

“The Next Generation” –Crossroads School May 22 & 23.

“Lumping In Fargo” – UC Irvine June 5-7.

“Pazzazz” at Citrus College on June 13 to 15 and Santa Barbara Performing Arts Center June 20-22.

Seligson said, “The climate for new musicals right now is as rich and diverse as any time in my theatre-going life – it’s as though the medium were going through a great renaissance and we are in a new golden age of creative explosion.”

The impetus for this festival was born out of observing how many new musicals are launched from Southern California’s regional theatres. Four of Broadway’s biggest hits, “Wicked,” “Jersey Boys,” “Drowsy Chaperone” and “Curtains” were developed in Southern California, and have just been joined on Broadway by “A Catered Affair” and “Cry Baby.”

Bob Klein said, “It is our goal to make the festival a permanent celebration with new musicals on a regular basis and to establish a permanent center for the development and workshopping of new musicals in Los Angeles.”

Festival advisor Stephen Schwartz said, “In my capacity as artistic director of the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop and as one of the judges for the Jonathan Larson Foundation grant, I have heard the work of so many promising and talented young musical theatre composers and lyricists. The fact that this festival will give many of them a chance to be showcased and celebrated very publicly here on the west coast is a truly fantastic gift.”

A major element of the Festival is the education component – to bring new musicals into the schools and students into the theatres. Honorary chair Stephen Sondheim said, “What impresses me most about the festival is its producers' vision for developing new and young musical theater audiences all around Southern California. By working directly with ethnically diverse high schools and colleges and helping them produce new musicals in their schools, the organizers of the festival hope to ignite a passion for theater in these young people. The festival will also provide free tickets to the large array of its events over the six weeks of its duration for both students and teachers - another way to open the door to a lifelong love of musical theater.”

Seligson founded and was Producing Artistic Director of Reprise! Broadway’s Best, which has become the leading Southern California musical theatre presenting classic American musicals, from its inception in 1995 until 2005. Bob Klein was a founding board member of Reprise!, and headed the company’s successful effort to market rarely revived Broadway musicals.

Seligson and Klein have assembled the following Advisory Board:

Karyl Lynn Burns, Artistic Director, Rubicon Theatre

Ted Chapin, Executive Director, Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization

Darcie Denkert, President, MGM Live

Bonnie Eskenazi, Attorney, Greenberg Glusker

Bronya Galef, Founder, The Galef Institute

Grant Gershon, Music Director, The Los Angeles Master Chorale

Philip Himberg, Producing Artistic Director, Sundance Institute Theatre Program

John Holly, Producer/Director/Consultant

Michael Kerker, Director of Musical Theatre, ASCAP

David Lee, TV/Theatre Writer/Director

Judith Light, Actor/Community Activist

Steven Linder, Manager, Senior Vice President and Director of the North and South

American Attractions Division of IMG Artists.

Terence McFarland, Executive Director, LA Stage Alliance

Ginny Mancini, Former President, Henry Mancini Institute

Madelyn Puzo, Dean, USC School of Theater
Michael Ritchie, Artistic Director, Center Theatre Group

Claire Rothman, Board of Directors, Reprise!

Richard Salfas, Director of Licensing, Music Theatre International

David Sefton, Director, UCLA Live!

David Zippel, Lyricist/Director