Since its inception in 1989, NAMT's Festival of New Musicals has showcased over 300 writers and 220 new musicals, which, cumulatively, have had thousands of subsequent performances worldwide. The following list is a representative sample of those shows (all are full productions unless otherwise noted).
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BAND GEEKS! (Festival 2009) by Mark Allen, Gaby Alter, Gordon Greenberg and Tommy Newman: Goodspeed Musicals (CT) (pictured). |
THE MEMORY SHOW (fka MEMORY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL WISDOM) (Festival 2009): Barrington Stage Company (MA)
ORDINARY DAYS (Festival 2008) by Adam Gwon: Adirondack Theatre Festival (NY), Roundabout Theatre Company (NY) (pictured), The Human Race Theatre Company (OH), South Coast Rep (CA). New York cast recording on Ghostlight Records.
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"It’s without exaggeration that I describe NAMT as one of the most remarkable opportunities that exists for musical theater writers. NAMT is unique, and incredibly effective: it fosters that most crucial and elusive of relationships – between writers and producers of new work – and does it on a national level for writers at all stages of their careers.” - Adam Gwon |
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SEE ROCK CITY & OTHER DESTINATIONS (2008) by Brad Alexander and Adam Mathias: Upcoming production at Transport Group (NY); readings at Transport Group (NY) and Baldwin-Wallace College (OH).
BARNSTORMER (2008) by Douglas J. Cohen and Cheryl L. Davis: Red Mountain Theatre Company (AL).
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KINGDOM (2007) by Aaron Jafferis and Ian Williams: Ffull productions at The Old Globe (CA) and ReVision Theatre (NJ) (pictured); readings at Queens Theatre in the Park (NY) and The Public Theater (NY). |
THE STORY OF MY LIFE (2007) by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill: Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Broadway, Act II Playouse (PA). Original Broadway Cast Recording on PS Classics.
TINYARD HILL (2007) by Mark Allen and Tommy Newman: Readings at Human Race Theatre (OH), Goodspeed Musicals (CT); Developmental production at Red Mountain Theatre Company (AL), Full production at TheatreWorks (CA) (pictured), Cumberland County Playhouse (TN). Winner, Jonathan Larson Award.
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“Because of the support NAMT has given us, we have our first World Premiere of Tinyard Hill at Theatreworks in Palo Alto. You have no idea how much you mean to new writers and new works. Thank you for keeping us all alive and writing!” - Mark Allen and Tommy Newman |
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THE GYPSY KING (2007) by Randy Rogel and Kirby Ward: Village Theatre (WA).
 VANITIES (2006) by Jack Heifner and David Kirshenbaum: Pasadena Playhouse (CA), Second Stage Theater (NY) (pictured), The 5th Avenue Theatre (WA). Original Cast Recording on Sh-K-Boom Records.
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“At the risk of hyperbole, it's feasable to say I might very well have no career at all if it weren't for NAMT.” -David Kirshenbaum |
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EMMA (2006) by Paul Gordon: TheatreWorks (CA), Cincinnati Playhouse (OH), Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (MO).
DANGEROUS BEAUTY (2006) by Jeannine Dominy, Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman: American Musical Theatre Project at Northwestern University (IL).
| I LOVE YOU BECAUSE (2005) by Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman: Off-Broadway at Village Theater (pictured), numerous regional and international productions. Original Cast Recording on PS Classics. |
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ACE (2005) by Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor: The Old Globe (CA), Cincinnati Playhouse (OH), Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (MO), Signature Theatre (DC), commercial option secured.
PARTY COME HERE (2005) by Daniel Goldfarb and David Kirshenbaum: New York Musical Theatre Festival (NY), Williamstown Theatre Festival (MA), New York University - Steinhardt School (NY).
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MEET JOHN DOE (2005) by Andrew Gerle, Eddie Sugarman, and Matt August: Readings at Carousel Dinner Theatre (OH) and The Hartt School (CT); full productions at Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Ford’s Theatre (DC) (pictured), Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago (IL).
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"NAMT has been the single largest factor in our musical's success... The coordinated resources NAMT's members bring to bear are, we believe, unparalleled for the development, launch, and national dissemination of new musicals." - Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman |
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| THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (2004) by Don McKellar, Bob Martin, Greg Morrison and Lisa Lambert:Center Theatre Group (CA), Broadway (pictured), two national tours, numerous regional productions. Original Broadway Cast Recording on Ghostlight Records. 5 Tony Awards and 7 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical; NY Drama Critics’ Circle award for Best Musical. |
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"When we were invited to participate in the 2004 NAMT Festival, we knew we had a chance to reach an important American audience, but, honestly, none of us expected our development process to be accelerated to the extent that it was. After nearly seven years of slow development, we suddenly found ourselves face to face with the most powerful and influential people in the industry. A year and a half after NAMT, we opened at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway. We believe that NAMT is an essential step in the development of any musical." -Bob Martin, Tony Award-winner for Best Book of a Musical |
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WINESBURG, OHIO (2004) by Eric Rosen, Andrew Pluess and Ben Sussman: The Hartt School (CT), The Arden Theatre (PA), Kansas City Repertory Theatre (KS). 5 Barrymore Awards (PA).
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STRIKING 12 (2004) by Rachel Sheinkin, Brendan Milburn, and Valerie Vigoda: TheatreWorks (CA) (pictured), Off-Broadway (Daryl Roth Theater and Zipper Theater), numerous regional productions. Groovelily recording on PS Classics.
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“The contacts we made at NAMT have led to nearly every new professional opportunity we've had since [the Festival]. A world of opportunities has opened up for us, and we have NAMT to thank for all of it.” -Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn |
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FLIGHT OF THE LAWNCHAIR MAN (2004) by Robert Lindsey Nassif and Peter Ullian: Goodspeed Musicals (CT), New York Musical Theatre Festival.
THE GIRL IN THE FRAME (2004) by Jeremy Desmon: Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Adirondack Theatre Festival (NY). Winner, 2007 Kleban award.
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PRINCESSES (2003) by Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner, Matthew Wilder, and David Zippel: Goodspeed Musicals (CT), The 5th Avenue Theatre (WA) (pictured). |
WAS (2003) by Barry Kleinbort and Joseph Thalken: Human Race Theatre Company (OH), American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University (IL).
| HAROLD AND MAUDE (2003) by Tom Jones and Joseph Thalken: Paper Mill Playhouse (NJ) (pictured), TheatreWorks (CA), The Human Race Theatre Company (OH). |
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MAKING TRACKS (2001) by Woody Pak, Welly Yang, and Brian Yorkey: San Jose Repertory Theatre (CA), Village Theatre (WA).
CUPID AND PSYCHE (2000) by Sean Hartley and Jihwan Kim: Amas Musical Theatre (NY), Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (CT), National Music Theatre Network (DC), Oregon Cabaret Theatre (OR), Spirit of Broadway (CT), Village Theatre (WA). 2004 Drama Desk nomination for Best Lyrics.
CONVENIENCE (2000) by Gregg Coffin: Geva Theatre (NY), Human Race (OH), Sacramento Theatre Company (CA), Spirit of Broadway (CT), Stages Repertory Theatre (TX), Unicorn Theatre (KS).
LIZZIE BORDEN (2000) by Christopher McGovern and Amy Powers: Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Stoneham Theatre (MA), American Stage Company (FL), and Theatre on the Square (IN).
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SUMMER OF '42 (1999) by Hunter Foster and David Kirshenbaum: Off-Broadway (Variety Arts Theater), York Theater Company (NY). Many regional productions. York Concert Recording on Jay Records (pictured). Nominated for a 2001 Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. |
HONK! (1999) by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe: Over 3,000 Productions in US/Canada since 2001, winner of the Olivier Award. In 2003, Honk Junior was created and has had hundreds of productions in the US/Canada. Studio Recording on First Night Records (pictured), Music Theatre of Witchita Recording on Tradi.
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THE BIG BANG (1999) by Jed Feuer and Boyd Graham: John Houseman Theater (NY), American Musical Theatre of San Jose (CA), Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (MN), Actors’ Playhouse (NY), Act II Playhouse (PA), plus over 30 productions nationwide.
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THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN (1998) by Kirsten Childs: Playwrights Horizons (NY), numerous regional productions (pictured: SpeakEasy Stage Company, MA). Studio Recording on Ghostlight Records. 2001 Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominations for Best Musical. |
KING ISLAND CHRISTMAS (1998) by Deborah Baley Breevoort and David Friedman: Dallas Lyric Stage (TX), Paper Mill Playhouse (NJ), Perseverance Theatre (AK). Winner, Frederick Loewe Award. Televised broadcast as part of Great Performances' 30th Anniversary Season in 2002.
BLACKBIRDS OF BROADWAY (1998) by David Coffman and Marion J. Caffey: Arkansas Repertory (AR), Barter Theatre, Charlotte Repertory Theatre (NC), Mill Mountain Theatre (VA), Theatre IV (OH), Victoria Theatre (OH), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (NC), Empire Theatre, European Tour.
O.HENRY'S LOVERS (1998) by Joe DiPietro and Michael Valenti: American Stage Company (FL), Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Musical Theatre Works (CA).
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SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (1997) by Jason Robert Brown: WPA Theater (NY), over 200 productions nationwide. Original Cast Recording on RCA Victor (pictured). |
HEARTLAND (1997) by Darrah Cloud and Kim Sherman: Dallas Summer Musicals (TX), Madison Repertory Theatre (WI).
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (1996) by Richard Morris, Dick Scanlan, and Jeanine Tesori: Broadway (pictured), National Tour, numerous regional productions. Original Broadway Cast Recording on RCA Victor. 6 2002 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
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"The NAMT Festival changed Millie's life. Our hope in entering was to learn invaluable lessons about the show by putting it in front of its first audience, but we came out of the Festival with so much more. The Festival is like a musical theater version of 'Date Bait.' The writers are looking for someone to fall in love with their work, and the NAMT producers are looking to fall in love with new musicals that will one day fill their theatres. In doing so they are really helping to nurture new voices." - Dick Scanlan |
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CHILDREN OF EDEN (1996) by John Caird and Stephen Schwartz: Over 1,300 Productions around the country. Paper Mill Playhouse Cast Recording on RCA Victor (pictured), London Cast Recording.
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“There is no doubt in my mind that the presentation of Children of Eden [at] the 1996 NAMT Festival was directly responsible for much of the great success the show has enjoyed. Since its NAMT presentation, Children of Eden has received [hundreds of] productions around the United States and beyond, and I will always be grateful to NAMT for its large part in helping that to happen.” -Stephen Schwartz |
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MIRETTE (1996) by Elizabeth Diggs, Harvey Schmidt, and Tom Jones: Fullerton CLO (CA), Goodspeed Musicals (CT), York Theatre (NY).
| PAPER MOON (1995) by Martin Casella, Larry Grossman, and Ellen Fitzhugh: Ford's Theatre (DC), Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Stage One (KS), Walnut Street (PA), Paper Mill Playhouse (NJ), Japan. |
"It was an honor to have been a part of the Festival; and for our show to have been picked up by Goodspeed, Walnut Street, Ford's, Stage One Wichita, and the Bunkamura Theatre in Tokyo, along with a tour of Japan. NAMT did that for us and I will always be grateful." - Martin Casella |
ENTER THE GUARDSMAN (1995) by Scott Wentworth, Craig Bohmler, Marion Adler: Most-produced new musical of the 2000-2001 season in American regional theater with productions at The Globe Theaters, Indiana Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Northlight Theater, London. Nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
ABYSSINIA (1994) by James Racheff and Ted Kociolek: Arena Stage (DC), Cleveland Playhouse (OH), Dallas Lyric Stage (TX), Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center (NY), North Shore Music Theatre (MA), African Globe TheatreWorks.
AFTER THE FAIR (1994) by Stephen Cole and Matthew Ward: York Theater Company (NY) , Apple Tree Theatre (IL), Broadhollow Theatre (NY), King's Head Theatre Club (UK), Lyric Stage (MA), Village Theatre (WA). Outer Critic's Circle Nomination-Best Musical (NY).
PHANTOM OF THE COUNTRY OPERA (1994) by Kathy Santen, Sean Grennan, Cheri Coons, and Michael Duff: More than 90 productions in the United States including Marriott Theatre (IL) and Derby Dinner Playhouse (IN), produced internationally in Australia, Canada, England, Kuwait and Russia.
ELEANOR (1992) by Jonathan Bolt, Thomas Tierney, and John Forster: Barter Theatre (VA), Ford's Theatre (DC), Hofstra University (NJ), Marriott Theatre (IL), Musical Theatre West (CA), Pittsburgh Public Theatre (PA), Theatre Previews at Duke (NC), Trumbull New Theatre (CT), Village Theatre (WA), Woodland Opera House (CA).
HEARTBEATS (1992) by Amanda McBroom, Gerald Sternbach, and Michele Brourman: Cleveland Playhouse (OH), Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Marriott Theatre (IL), Pasadena Playhouse (CA), Sacramento Light Opera Association (CA), Theater League (KS), Village Theatre (WA), Adirondack Theatre Festival (NY), Morris Mechanic Theatre (MD).
LUNCH (1992) by Rick Hawkins, Steve Dorff, and John Bettis: American Musical Theatre of San Jose (CA), California Musical Theatre (CA), Casa Mañana Musicals (TX), North Shore Music Theatre (MA), Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (PA), and San Jose Civic Light Opera (CA).
GUNMETAL BLUES (1991) by Scott Wentworth, Craig Bohmler, and Marion Adler: Amas Musical Theatre (NY), over 100 productions around the country. Cast Recording on Lml Records.
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RUTHLESS! (1991) by Joel Paley and Melvin Laird: Players Theatre (NY), over 200 productions around the country. Los Angeles Recording on Varese Sarabande (pictured). |
Photo credits: Band Geeks! from Goodspeed Musicals, photo by Diane Sobolewski. Ordinary Days from the Roundabout Theater Company, photo by Joan Marcus; Kingdom from ReVision Theater; Tinyard Hill from TheatreWorks of Silicon Valley, photo by Tracy Martin (top) and Mark Kitaoka (bottom); Vanities from Second Stage Theater, photo by Joan Marcus; I Love You Because from the Off-Broadway production; Meet John Doe from Ford's Theatre; The Drowsy Chaperone from the Broadway production; Striking 12 from TheatreWorks; Princesses from The 5th Avenue Theatre; Harold and Maude from Paper Mill Playhouse; Bubbly Black Girl from SpeakEasy Stage, photo by Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo; Thoroughly Modern Millie from the Broadway production. |
