Two new musicals currently in development with CAP21, the respected acting school specializing in musical theatre performance, will be heard in readings Jan. 26 and Jan. 28 as part of the NYU/Tisch School of the Arts HOTINK Festival.
HOTINK brings undergraduate actors, Tisch graduates and other professional theatre artists together to present readings of new and unproduced plays and musicals. Some of the writers whose work will be read in the fest (which runs Jan. 24-28) include Keith Bunin, Rinne Groff, Israel Horowitz, Len Jenkins, Arthur Kopit, David Mamet, Mel Marvin and others. CAP21 and NYU have a unique relationship whereby students get musical theatre performance training through CAP21's conservatory, known to be the country's largest devoted solely to music-theatre.
The CAP21 musicals (currently in development with CAP21 literary manager Eliza Ventura) are Gold, with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, directed by Nick Corley and musical-directed by Vadim Feichtner (7:30 PM Jan. 26) and Beach Radio, with book and lyrics by Drey Shepperd and music by Gerard Kenny, directed by Larry Fuller and musical-directed by Michael Hicks (7:30 PM Jan. 28).
Gold, which is not related to the developing Stephen Sondheim show of the same name, is set in Norway in 1940, and focuses on "a group of young Norwegians [who] strive to keep their country's gold out of Nazi hands," according to the announcement. The musical was commissioned by the Royal National Theatre in London. Tony Award nominee Larry Fuller directs.
Beach Radio, meanwhile, is "set on a New Jersey beach, [where] a group of college-bound friends explore their sexuality guided by an opinionated radio sex guru," according to the announcement. Directors for the HOTINK fest include Joel Bishoff, Elowyn Castle, Bob Kalfin, Todd Weeks and others. The readings take place at the Tisch School Department of Drama, 721 Broadway at Waverly Place Jan. 24-28. Admission is free and reservations can be made by calling (212) 998-1860 or by clicking here.
In 2000, CAP21 (Collaborative Arts Project 21) produced its first Off-Broadway show, a world premiere musical version of the hit regional play, The Immigrant, at its new space, the 99-seat CAP21 Theater, on 28th Street. The nonprofit organization devoted to giving voice to new musical theatre writers and performers in Manhattan regularly sponsors readings of new works in its headquarters on 18th Street, where classes for voice, movement and acting are also held. The Immigrant is currently getting its regional premiere by Denver Center Theatre Company.
Visit CAP21 at CAP21.org.
— By Kenneth Jones
