New musicals by Stephen Schwartz (Pippin) and the team of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks) will be among eight shows featured at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's two-day Festival of New Musicals Sept. 29 and 30 in New York.
The musicals will be presented, two times each, in condensed 55-minute format. They will be performed at the John Houseman and Fairbanks Theatres on West 42nd Street's Theatre Row.
The musicals are being presented as part of a conference, and confreres will get priority seating. However a certain number of tickets will be made available -- free -- to the public. Tickets are free, but they're on a first-come, first served basis and not reservable in advance.
Here is the schedule of musicals:
Mirette: Jones &Schmidt's adaptation of the children's story Mirette on the High Wire, about a young girl who transforms, and is transformed by, a tight rope walker. (Noon Sept. 30 Houseman; 4:30 PM Sept. 30 Fairbanks) Children of Eden: Schwartz wrote this Biblical musical in 1989 during his long dry period between Rags and Pocahontas. Unlike those two projects, he wrote music and lyrics for this retelling of the Noah story, just as he did in the Godspell and Pippin days. Book by John Caird. The show has been done in London and in U.S. regionals, but never in New York. (10:30 AM Sept. 30 Fairbanks; 4:30 PM Sept. 30, Houseman)
The Perfect 36: Suffragists fight for women's right to vote in 1920 Tennessee. Book and lyrics by Laura Harrington, music by Mel Marvin. (8 PM Sept. 29 Fairbanks; 3 PM Sept. 30, Houseman)
Thoroughly Modern Millie: Based on the 1967 film musical. Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, with additional lyrics by Scanlan, with songs from the 1920s. (6:30 and 9:30 PM Sept. 29 Fairbanks)
Kudzu: A boy comes of age as he discovers the "vine-shrouded secret" of a Southern town in this romantic musical comedy based on the Doug Marlette comic strip. Book, music and lyrics by Jack Herrick, Doug Marlette and Bland Simpson. (10:30 AM Sept. 30, Houseman; 3 PM Sept. 30, Fairbanks)
Dodsworth: Based on the Sinclair Lewis novel of the same name, about a couple who face a crisis in their marriage during a European vacation. Book and lyrics by Stephen Cole, music by Jeffrey Saver. (Noon Sept. 30, Fairbanks; 6 PM Sept. 30, Houseman)
Mr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde: New musical adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson story, not to be confused with the Leslie Bricusse musical announced for Broadway. Music by Phil Hall. Book and lyrics by David Levy and Leslie Eberhard. (6:30 PM Sept. 29, Houseman; 1:30 PM Sept. 30, Fairbanks)
Fragrant Harbor: Star-crossed lovers in 1857 Hong Kong. Music by Ed Linderman, book and lyrics by Dean Barrett. (1:30 PM Sept. 30, Houseman; 6 PM Sept. 30, Fairbanks)
For information: (212) 265-5376.
-- By Robert Viagas
