The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced the lineup of the eight new musicals to be presented as part of its 33rd annual Festival of New Musicals to be held over two days this fall. The original pieces will be both presented in person and live streamed in collaboration with Broadway On Demand on October 20 and 21. Casting for each musical and further programming details will be announced soon. Below are brief synopses and clips from the festival entries.
Azul (book by Melis Aker and Tatiana Pandiani, music by Jacinta Clusellas, lyrics by Clusellas and Ruben Dario), takes place in an epic world of magical realism, where the idealist poet Bluebird seeks a better life in a new land, and in present-day Jackson Heights, where composer Rita struggles to forgive her father, understand her roots, and reconnect to a land she has never known. Below is Clusellas singings “El Pajaro Azul.”
Fanny and Stella (book by Sevan, music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer) is set in Victorian London, where Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton, two unremarkable middle-class boys from Dulwich, have fled their suburban upbringing to live as Fanny & Stella in the city. A run-in with the law casts them a sensational show trial that dominates the press and scandalizes the nation. Below is “Who Will I Be?” performed by Kate Marlais, Mark Anderson, Jordan Lee-Davies and Richard Hartley-Wilson at hclub London.
Little Duende (book and lyrics by Georgina Escobar, music and lyrics by Robi Hager) explores the land of Elflán, where the adventurous and curious young elf Adelita is eager to find what lies beyond the horizon. When the evil spirit of La Mancha kidnaps her mother, she is forced to travel north to the land of the Hadaseñas in hopes of being reunited with her again. Below is “Mi Amor” sung by Robi Hager and Chris Haig.
Māyā (book and music by Cheeyang Ng, book and lyrics by Eric Sorrels), set in the British Raj during 1930, is the story of a struggling poet in need of an awakening, not unlike India herself. When Gandhi’s nonviolent Independence Movement arrives Māyā commits herself to the cause and begins to shatter the illusions that have been deceiving her to discover the difference she’ll really make. After a brief introduction, the music begins at 2:15, featuring Kuhoo Verma, Kimberly Chatterjee, and Metu Chilana.
Missing Peace (book, music, and lyrics by Kalani Queypo and Kyle Puccia), concerns Chase, who wakes up from a coma, his past a blur. Soon, dark memories begin to flood back, and Chase grapples with his attempted suicide, the bad choices he’s made, and the people he’s hurt along the way. Below is “Wide Awake” with Kingsley Perez, Roman Zaragoza, John Shartzer, Nayo Wallace, Glenn Stanton, Carolyn Dunn, and Samantha Bowling.
Private Gomer Jones (by Marshall Pailet) revolves around a young Welshman eager to join the army in 1914. Since he’s deaf, he enlists the help of a nurse to fake his way past the recruiters. During an increasingly senseless war, he loses friends, his moral compass, and his humanity — until he finds himself again. Below is a Goodspeed Opera interview with Pailet, featuring song clips beginning at 7:44.
Senior Class (book, melodies, and lyrics by Melvin Tunstall, music by Greg Borowsky) begins when a Harlem school’s production of My Fair Lady is canceled due to budget cuts. Two theater nerds arrange for staging of Pygmalion, and art begins to imitate life when they meet subway dancer Alizé.
TL;DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix (book and lyrics by EllaRose Chary, music and lyrics by Brandon James Gwinn) starts with T and L suspended mid-air over the Grand Canyon. They promptly make out and, with the help of their newfound queer community, seek a future that has never been modeled for them: the happy ending they deserve. Below is Hannah Cruz singing “Put Up a Fight.”