The festival will conclude in songwriter Eric Vetro's private garden. Among those invited to attend are Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown, William Finn, Jeff Marx, Ricky Ian Gordon and Desmond Child, who will preview their next musicals.

At the closing party, beginning at 3 PM, a special announcement will be made regarding Criss, who will step into the role of ambitious window washer J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed… Jan. 3-22, 2012.

The Festival of New American Musicals, which runs through August, consists of readings and presentations of new musicals including The Trouble With Words, a new song cycle by Gregory Nabours; Out of My Head, with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver; Jerry Springer: The Opera; The Devil and Daisy Jane; Rocket Science; Jasper in Deadland; the festival's ASCAP Songwriter's Showcase; and My Fairytale.

Criss plays the role of Blaine, the openly-gay Warbler at Dalton Academy, on Fox's "Glee." Prior to "Glee," Criss was best known for his portrayal of Harry Potter in the YouTube hit, "A Very Potter Musical."

For more information and to make reservations, email [email protected].