Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman produce the festival that includes five fully staged works from emerging LGBT artists. Board members include Terrence McNally, Kate Clinton, Charles Busch, Douglas Carter Bean and Mario Cantone, among others.

In addition to providing a platform for new LGBT voices, GayFest has awarded 11 scholarships to graduating seniors of the Harvey Milk High School and established an after-school acting program.

Penned by David Brendan Hopes, Edward the King is a new dramatization of the relationship between Edward II and his lover Piers Gaveston. Sidney J. Burgoyne directs a cast that includes Jo Ann Cunningham, Chad Hoeppner, Megan McQuillan, Patrick Porter and Brian Charles Rooney. Edward the King runs May 14-24.

Also set for GayFest NYC – running May 14-June 15 – are Brian Dykstra's Spill the Wine (directed by Margarett Perry), May 27-June 1; Jumping Blind by Philip Gerson (directed by David Hilder), June 4-14; The Wrath of Aphrodite by Tim O'Leary (directed by Martin Casella), May 23-25, May 30 and June 1; and Steve Hayes' Hollywood Reunion written by and starring Steve Hayes (directed by Vincent J. Cardinal), June 6-8 and June 13-15.

Works included in the inaugural GayFest were Michael D. Jackson's Revolution, A.B. Asher's Competing Narratives and the musical A Kiss from Alexander with book and lyrics by Stephen deGhelder and music by Brad Simmons. Festival Passports and individual tickets are available by phoning (212) 351-3101 or by visiting www.GayFestNYC.com.

All performances for GayFest NYC take place at the TBG Arts Center, located at 312 West 36th Street, in Manhattan.