The three-month festival, running May 16-Aug. 21, unites a number of Southern California theatre companies that have an original musical as part of their seasonal programming. The event also includes workshops, readings, cabaret events and concerts.

The FNAM and NYMF exchange program will mount Carry On!, which features a cast of elementary and middle school students at the Marquez Charter School June 9 and at the Magicopolis Theater June 13. The musical will then play NYMF as an official 2010 selection. (NYMF runs Sept. 27-Oct. 7)

Workshops during the festival include a “Words and Music" series on May 23 that will feature Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years, 13), Jeff Marx (Avenue Q) and composer-lyricist Georgia Stitt.

Stitt will also work alongside students at the College of the Canyons in a new academic course, "Sing Me a Happy Song." The course will focus on how to develop and produce a song cycle.

Other festival events include Nightmare Alley starring James Barbour (April 13 at the Geffen Playhouse); the Mark Waldrop-Brad Ross musical Luck! (May 17-18 at the Noho Arts Center); The Boy in the Bathroom (May 4-6 at the Chance Theatre); Ricky Ian Gordon's Orpheus & Euridice (June 11-13 at the Long Beech Opera); Lost Lady With A Violin directed by Billy Porter (June 22 at El Portal Theatre); James Barbour, Brandi Burkhardt, Hershel Sperber and Lesli Margherita in Serrano (June 20-21 at El Portal Theatre); the Broadway-bound Rupert Holmes-Sammy Cahn-Jimmy Van Heusen musical Robin and the Seven Hoods (July 14-Aug. 22 at the Old Globe Theatre); and Three: Songs from the Heart (July 16-18 at Electric Lodge). For a complete schedule and tickets, visit LAFestival.org