Representatives from the selected shows, NYMF past producers and authors, NYMF Grand Jury Members and many of NYMF's celebrity friends will be on hand at the event at the New World Stages theatre complex at 7:30 PM.

"We’re glad to be joined by cast members from some of the new musicals on and off Broadway this season, as we celebrate some of the promising shows we hope could become the hits of the future," said NYMF Executive Director Kris Stewart.

For the third season of NYMF, the 18 musicals were chosen from more than 300 submissions by a seven-member jury that included director Gary Griffin (The Color Purple), David Henry Hwang (M Butterfly), Tom Meehan (The Producers), Marsha Norman ('night, Mother), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun) and producer Michael Rego (Urinetown).

NYMF is a three-week presentation of new musicals. The 2006 Festival is slated for Sept. 10-Oct. 1 at various Off-Broadway theatres throughout Manhattan. The Festival launched shows that have found life beyond the three-week event:Altar Boyz, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Captain Louie, and more recently, [title of show] and Shout! had developmental productions under the NYMF umbrella.

Admission to the "Unleashing The Next Link" event, at the New World Stages, 340 West 50 St. Admission is $20 at the door, and includes hors d'oeuvres, open bar and entertainment.  For more information, visit www.nymf.org.