The Festival, which presents new musical theatre works in a reading format, allows up-and-coming (and established) composers, lyricists and book writers to workshop their original musical theatre pieces at the Penn State University Park Campus. The purpose of the festival, according to Penn State notes, "is to promote new works of musical theatre in a creative, educational and theatrical environment."

Cast members include faculty members of the School of Music and Theatre, BFA musical theatre majors, and Penn State University Park campus students.

The March 17-20 festival includes the following shows:

Love Lost…..Love Returned
Performed by Raymond Sage
&
Ecoute: Pieces of Reynaldo Hahn
Performed by Norman Spivey
March 17 at 5 PM
"An evening of one man shows."

Steam
Music and lyrics by Helle Hansen
Book by Mads Nielson and Thomas Bay
Original idea by Tim Zimmermann
March 18 at 8 PM
March 20 at 2 PM
"Produced in partnership with the Danish Academy of Musical Theatre and the Uterus New Works Development Centre. Retelling the timeless tale of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Steam is set in 1960s Brooklyn with a cast of comic-book villains and starry-eyed lovers." The Scottish Musical
Music by Sam Davis
Lyrics by Mark Waldrop
Book by Darin DePaul
March 19 at 8 PM
"The unmentionable title of arguably Shakespeare's greatest play, is the subject of this 'Monty Pythonesque' tale as told by a cast of the greatest writers in history."

All Fall Down
Music and lyrics by Selda Sahin
Book by Greg Turner
March 20 at 8 PM
"All Fall Down is a journey that weaves past, present, fantasy and reality in comedic and heartrending episodes as Ben Little's story unfolds as his family tries to find their way back from a questionable act of desperation."

All performances and rehearsals are open and free to the public. For more information, visit www.psunewmusicals.psu.edu.