Now in its third year, NYMF is a 3-week event in NYC that has premiered over 70 musicals in its first two years, becoming the largest musical theatre event in American history. This year’s festival runs from Sept. 10–Oct. 1. All tickets are $20 and be purchased through www.nymf.org or by calling (212) 352-3101.

As previously reported, many of the NYMF tickets are no longer available. The membership program of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, which was launched last year and permits early access to complimentary tickets in exchange for a membership fee, has seen a record increase in 2006.

According to NYMF Executive Director Kris Stewart, member numbers have surpassed a total of 550, up from 140 in 2005. Also, the number of NYMF Industry Patrons has doubled to 44, up from 26 in 2005.

With members receiving up to ten complimentary tickets and being able to purchase more, and Patrons receiving all access passes to every show in the Festival, NYMF has seen almost a third of the available tickets for the Festival being claimed before single tickets go on sale September 1.

Many shows already have sold out signs at some performances including Oedipus For Kids, Desperate Measures, This Could Be Love and Hot and Sweet.

“It is pretty overwhelming – the growth in demand is pretty exciting, both for us and the shows,” said Kris Stewart, NYMF Executive Director. “I think we will again see the Festival being a sold out event before it begins – we’re hoping to see the vast majority being sold out within a couple of days of single tickets being put on sale. And maybe, in the future, we’ll be in a position where being a member of NYMF will be the only way you can guarantee seeing these new musicals.”

(Playbill.com is a media partner of the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2006.)