Hot tickets for the 2009 NYMF Festival

October 1, 5:39 PMNY Theater Producer ExaminerMeredith Lucio

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Set in Rhode Island during the Great Hurricane of 1938, the
NYMF production of "Hurricane" features a cast of 30.

Hurricane A New Musical Book by Michael Holland and Eric Bernat Music and Lyrics by Michael Holland Hurricane is easily the hottest ticket at the NYMF this year. I've heard from no less than three Broadway producers that this large scale tale is at the top of their list of must see shows at the 2009 NYMF. With a cast size that is rarely even seen on Broadway these days, the curiosity quotient is high. Conventional wisdom says you'll never be able to create a financial structure which centers around a cast this size (the NYMF show features a cast of 30 people) even on Broadway. In fact I'm certain the producers of Hurricane have heard ad nauseam this show will never work because of the size of it. And yet here we are. The show sold out so quickly that NYMF had to add not one but two additional performances to satisfy demand. And guess what, those additional shows are now sold out too. That question of size that was initially a negative might turn out to be a big giant positive. Keep this musical on your radar but if you don't have tickets already you'll likely have to wait for the next incarnation. You might get a ticket if your name is Hal Prince though. Wouldn't it be grand to see him produce/direct another musical of this scale?
Now playing at NYMF.
 

ROOMS cast album party features
performances by the author and cast.

ROOMS CD Promo Party October 14, 2009 @ Sweet Caroline's  8:30 PM The recent Off Broadway smash ROOMS is finishing up the cast recording set to be released and distributed by Time Life music.
ROOMS was actually discovered at the NYMF festival and so it's fitting that the festival would celebrate in the release of its cast album.
The one night only event features live performances by original cast members Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger and composer/lyricist Paul Scott Goodman. Having heard bits of the recording I can attest this CD album won't disappoint. There's even a bonus track but you'll have to buy the album to hear it.
Get tickets to the ROOMS CD party.
 

Now playing at the NYMF.

F#@king Up Everything Music and Lyrics by David Erik Davis Book by Sam Forman and David Erik Davis With such a saucy title, F#@king Up Everything better be hip, hot and full of rock. Word on the street is that the show delivers. Word from the producers is that performances are close to selling out so if you want tickets you better get them now. NYMF has added at least one additional performance of this show as well. Billed as a "rock musical with heart", F#@king Up Everything is set against the indie music scene of Brooklyn.
Get tickets to F#@king Up Everything.
 

Judas and Me features Ann Harada, Nick Blaemire

 

Vampire musical now playing at NYMF.

The Cure Story and Songs by Mark Weiser With the successful rise of vampire-based properties in the TV and Film industry, having a musical at NYMF about sexy bloodsuckers is no stretch.  While conventional wisdom says the only way to really kill a vampire is to put him on Broadway (remember Dance of the Vampires, Frank Wildhorn's Dracula, Elton John's Lestat?) there is always a time and a place for the right show to smash through those conventions (see Hurricane above). With vampires that are sexy enough, a score that rocks enough and a story that is told well enough The Cure could be just that musical. I will make a confession though. The title of this show bugs me. I'm not an avid fan of Robert Smith or the legendary band The Cure but I do know their music. Everytime time I see the title of this show I have this little inner-monologue about how it's not about The Cure but about vampires. Hopefully the music and the story will have audience members wondering why that band from way back when named themselves after a musical. For an interesting commentary on the history of vampire musicals, check out this article from New York Magazine. 

Get tickets to The Cure at NYMF. 

 

NYMF musical focusing on autism

Max Understood Book by Nancy Carlin Music by Michael Rasbury Lyrics by Nancy Carlin and Michael Rasbury I'm not exactly sure why I eventually chose this musical for my hot list but I must admit, I really want to see this musical. When I chose the show I didn't really know that much about the team or the cast. A closer look at the creative team reveals a healthy mix of Broadway/New York indie players which is good. The show was chosen by the O'Neill National Music Theater Conference for a staged reading last year so that's definitely a cue the show's worth seeing. Billed as an invitation to get inside the mind of a 7-year old boy with autism, Max Understood promises to unravel a mystery that I don't think I've ever seen unraveled before. Paired with a picture of that same 7 year old boy as their logo and I'm hooked. 
Get tickets to Max Understood at NYMF.  

Now playing at the NYMF.

Street Lights Music, Lyrics and Book by Joe Drymala Created by the team behind the Broadway bound White Noise, Street Lights is the story of a teenage brother and sister's journey as they pursue their dreams. She wants to be the next Alicia Keys, he strives to be the next generation's Thurgood Marshall. In a fragile world framed with violence and injustice both siblings struggle to keep the faith. This musical promises to be innovative, political, and uplifting and features a hip-hop and pop-inspired sound.
Get tickets to Street Lights at NYMF.

My selections are only a few of the many interesting offerings at this year's New York Music Festival. What shows are on your list? Have you seen anything that I should absolutely add to my list? Let me know in the comments section.

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