Monday, December 9, 2013

Winners Announced!

Manhattan Theatre Mission's 2nd Annual New Musicals Showcase was once again, a great success! We started with many entries from all around the country and selected the FOUR best submissions to perform in our New Musicals Showcase. Each of the four were invited to present a 20 minute excerpt from their shows in a staged reading format, which took place on Saturday, December 7th and was attended by a sold out audience!

 We invited three guest judges who read the full scripts prior to the Showcase and to adjudicate the performances! Here are the winners!

1.     Best Ensemble – Mayday
2.     Catchiest Tune – “Bangarang”, Eddie and the Palaecades
3.     Best Comedic Couple – Shelley Valfer and Susan Destefano, Eddie and the Palaceades
4.     Best Director – Ray Zilberberg, Queen of the West
5.     Best Musical Director – Dimitri Landrain, Mayday
6.     Best Book and Lyrics – Chuck Muckle, Mourning Becomes Ridiculous
7.     Best Composition – Landon Braverman, Queen of the West
8.     Best Actress – Emily Nash, Mourning Becomes Ridiculous
9.     Best Actor – Carter Lynch, Mourning Becomes Ridiculous
10.  Audience Favorite – Eddie and the Palaecades
11.  Best New Musical – Queen of the West


The companies were invited to an after party at Bourbon Street Bar and Grill and a great time was had by all! Each of the writers were invited to participate in a talk-back session with the Showcase's judges on Sunday, December 8th. 

Manhattan Theatre Mission is so thankful for the many contributions from artists and theatre professionals who made this weekend a success! We would like to thank:

Our Guest Judges:
Jason Cocovinis (Music Theatre International)
Michael Gioia (Playbill.com)
Melissa Merz (Texas Tech University)

The Finalists:
Roy O'Neil, Stephen Feigenbaum, Michael Holland (EDDIE AND THE PALACEADES)
Jason Hart and Dimitri Landrain (MAYDAY)\
Chuck Muckle and David Eisner (MOURNING BECOMES RIDICULOUS)
Derek Hassler and Landon Braverman (QUEEN OF THE WEST)

MTM's Volunteer Staff:
Katy Baker: Artistic Director
Jeff Crosley: Associate Producer
Chelsea Jupin: Marketing Coordinator
Alex Krasser
Stephen Velasquez
Claire Bryan
Hannah Williams
Daniel Karp
Esteban Dager
Miranda Lipes


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

SPOTLIGHT ON: Mourning Becomes Ridiculous (Book and Lyrics by David Eisner and Music by Chuck Muckle)

Manhattan Theatre Mission is excited and delighted to produce our second Showcase of New Musicals! Following up on the rousing success of last year's Showcase, we look forward to bringing you four diverse offerings from some of today's up-and-coming talent! Over the last few weeks, we have been spotlighting each of our selected shows to give you a taste of the excellent material we have planned for this year. This week's spotlight is on our fourth piece, MOURNING BECOMES RIDICULOUS (music by Chuck Muckle, book and lyrics by David Eisner).

Providing a playful twist on the conventions of classic Greek tragedy, MOURNING BECOMES RIDICULOUS is an offbeat take on Sophocles' ELECTRA. In this version, instead of guiding the various members of the House of Atreus to their inevitable and bloody ends, the Fates decide to take a more hands-off approach to humanity and start letting them sort out their own drama. Without the Fates around to blame for their woes, the melodramatic lives of Electra and the rest of the citizens of Mycenae take on new comic life as they are finally forced to take responsibility for their own crazy actions. Utilizing traditional Greek theatrical techniques and characters, MOURNING BECOMES RIDICULOUS mines the extremity of classical tragedy to hilarious effect.

Like most of their projects, Muckle and Eisner were drawn to this story for one primary reason: the fun and joy of playing around with theatre.  Having found a fun and fertile dramatic concept, the pair have developed the show into a tuneful, ironic, and clever piece that marries the theatrical style of the Greeks with the playfulness and wit of old-school songs in the vein of Cole Porter.

Manhattan Theatre Mission is excited and honored to include MOURNING BECOMES RIDICULOUS in this year's Showcase!  CLICK HERE to hear an audio sample of one of the show's songs, "I'm Gonna Be a Star". 

The 2nd Annual New Musicals Showcase will take place this Saturday, December 7th at 4pm at the Roy Arias Stage IV Theatre - 300 W. 43rd St. CLICK HERE for more information and to purchase tickets!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Spotlight on: QUEEN OF THE WEST (Book and Lyrics by Derek P. Hassler, Music by Landon Braverman)

Manhattan Theatre Mission is excited and delighted to produce our second Showcase of New Musicals! Following up on the rousing success of last year's Showcase, we look forward to bringing you four diverse offerings from some of today's up-and-coming talent! In the coming weeks, we will be spotlighting each of our selected shows to give you a taste of the excellent material we have planned for this year. This week's spotlight is on QUEEN OF THE WEST, with book and lyrics by Derek P. Hassler and music by Landon Braverman.

QUEEN OF THE WEST is a new epic musical based on Theodore Dreiser's groundbreaking turn of the century novel Sister Carrie. The show tells the story of Carrie Meeber, a young, naive Wisconsin farm girl who moves to Chicago at the turn of the century to pursue a better and more exciting life. Upon arrival, she moves in with her sister Minnie and discovers that it's next to impossible to break out of the lower class. However, after catching the eye of rising journalist Charlie Drouet and later the well-to-do resort manager George Hurstwood, she climbs the ranks of society eventually becoming the biggest theatre star in New York City. An epic tale of love, ambition, and the effects of the American dream.

The original novel Sister Carrie is full of so much that we feel makes a great musical. These characters truly want something. They dream big. They rise and fall in ways that are romantic, daring, shocking, and ultimately have something big to say about the human experience and about the American Dream in particular. It's a love story, and a classic rags to riches journey, but with a deep moral and sociopolitical conscience that is truly fascinating.
As for the long-term goals for the show, Hassler says he’s not sure they have any specific dreams for the show. The writers think it's a story worth sharing and are excited to get it out into the world.

           “We have always been a team that focuses on our characters and how the audience                       responds to their victories and mistakes. We just hope that people watching the show can             be taken on an emotional journey. At the end of the day, if people have an honest                         emotional reaction to our work, we've done our job. Of course we hope to get some                   productions happening.” – Derek Hassler

When asked, “Why do you write musicals?” 

Landon:

I have grown up with musicals all my life. For me, it's one of the most unique and honest ways to tell a story and move an audience. The ability to weave simple and complex ideas in music and words is enthralling. The challenge to entertain but also make an audience think is what attracts me to the genre. 

Derek:
I have always been a story teller. I also grew up listening to classical music and musical theatre has a magical way of uniting those two things. Story and Music. There are definitely advantages to bringing music into your story. It can make you laugh or cry. It was a natural niche I found myself in. One morning I realized that it wasn't the acting or the singing I was drawn to as an artist, it was the story.

In writing QUEEN OF THE WEST, Hassler and Braverman wanted to honor the time period but also keep the sound. They both greatly admire the scores from Ragtime and Parade, and their ability to fuse classic musical theater romanticism with hints of pop/rock melodic styles. The writers were also very fortunate in having Sybille Pearson (Bookwriter of Baby and Giant) with them through much of their creative process. “Her guidance while tackling this turn of the century novel has been a godsend,” said Hassler.

QUEEN OF THE WEST is a show set in a very specific time; however, it is a story that transcends the turn of the century. The modern score next to a mix of modern and classical language allows the audience to see the reflections of the story and how it relates to our current generation. The characters are absolutely wonderful. One moment you love them, and the next, you hate them. It's a classic American Epic that spans from Chicago to New York but at heart, it's a quant show about Carrie's relationship with society.

The show has had a few closed readings, but no formal announcements or advertising. However, you can get a sneak peek of one of the songs from the show. CLICK HERE to hear the magnificent Melanie Burg singing "The Life I'm Worth" at 54 Below.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd Annual New Musicals Showcase! The event will take place Saturday, December 7th at 4pm at the Roy Arias Stage IV Theatre. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and save! Tickets are $15 in Advance and $18 at the door. Join us after for an after party at Bourbon Street Bar and Grill on Restaurant Row! (46th St. Between Broadway and 8th Ave).

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Spotlight on: MAYDAY (Music by Dimitri Landrain, book and lyrics by Jason Hart)

Manhattan Theatre Mission is excited and delighted to produce our second Showcase of New Musicals! Following up on the rousing success of last year's Showcase, we look forward to bringing you four diverse offerings from some of today's up-and-coming talent! In the coming weeks, we will be spotlighting each of our selected shows to give you a taste of the excellent material we have planned for this year. This week's spotlight is on MAYDAY (music by Dimitri Landrain, book and lyrics by Jason Hart).
Inspired by a Fitzgerald novella, MAYDAY is the story of a group of American soldiers trying to readjust to life and society after returning from Afghanistan. The show explores the relationship between soldier and civilian (and how they're changed by war) while probing both the causes and the human effects of the War on Terror. Landrain's score mixes energetic, dissonant numbers with tender, haunting ballads, capturing both the chaos of battle and the toll that chaos takes on the soul. At once explosive and intimate, MAYDAY is a modern, relevant story that provides abundant dramatic food for thought.

The show has been a labor of love and passion for Hart and Landrain, who were initially drawn to the story by the contemporary parallels they observed in Fitzgerald's WWI novella.  Noting that media and political circumstances often result in civilians being presented with an incomplete picture of a soldier's life, the pair seeks to bring the emotional immediacy of musical theatre to a kind of story too infrequently seen onstage.  To that end, MAYDAY  powerfully and critically contrasts the horror of death with the wonder of love.  When asked about their big dreams for the show, Hart stated the goal as "End war.  A Broadway run would be nice, too."

Manhattan Theatre Mission is excited and honored to include MAYDAY in this year's Showcase!  Further information about the piece can be found at www.maydaymusical.com.  Be sure to check out the link below for an audio sample of one of the show's ballads, "Monet".

We hope you'll make plans to attend our 2nd Annual Showcase of New Musicals! Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Buy now and save! 
www.manhattantheatremission.com 


Monday, November 4, 2013

Spotlight on EDDIE AND THE PALACEADES

Manhattan Theatre Mission is excited and delighted to produce our second New Musicals Showcase! Following up on the rousing success of last year's Showcase, we look forward to bringing you four diverse offerings from some of today's up-and-coming talent! In the coming weeks, we will be spotlighting each of our selected shows to give you a taste of the excellent material we have planned for this year. This week's spotlight is on EDDIE AND THE PALACEADES (Music by Stephen Feingenbaum, book and lyrics by Roy O'Neil).
Inspired by true events in O'Neil's hometown of Waterbury, Connecticut, EDDIE AND THE PALACEADES is the story of a family breaking apart and reuniting after Eddie, an over-the-hill one-hit-wonder, runs for mayor in order to save the local Palace Theater. Conflict arises, however, as not everyone in his family is thrilled by his decision to enter politics... Sporting a tuneful pop-rock score, EDDIE AND THE PALACEADES is a zesty, light-hearted story with a celebratory spirit that's sure to get your toes tapping.

Drawing inspiration from such writers as Meredith Wilson and Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose first shows were also love letters to their hometowns, O'Neil and Feingenbaum were originally connected through an online community bulletin board.  Much of the initial draft was written via email.  Most interestingly, the pair only found out after work had been progressing for some time that they were, in fact, 40 years apart in age!  This dynamic has naturally generated  a show that combines the nostalgia that comes from experience with a youthful, energetic score.

EDDIE AND THE PALACEADES has been in development for some time, and the creative team looks forward to taking the next step!  Hopefully, the show will one day see a full production on the real stage of the Palace Theater in Waterbury.


Manhattan Theatre Mission is excited and honored to include EDDIE AND THE PALACEADES in this year's Showcase!  Further information about the piece (including audio samples, synopsis, and more) can be found at www.eddieandthepalaceades.com.  Be sure to check out the link below for an audio sample of the show's opening number, "Bangarang"!

We hope you'll join us at this year's Showcase and show your support for the wonderful finalists! The New Musicals Showcase will take place on Saturday, December 7th at 4pm at the Times Square Arts Center. For tickets and more information, please visit our website: www.manhattantheatremission.com

Article by: Jeff Crosley

Thursday, October 3, 2013

BIG NEWS! The Four Finalists are Announced!

Manhattan Theatre Mission is thrilled to announce the FOUR FINALISTS who will be participating in our 2nd Annual Festival of New Musicals!

Manhattan Theatre Mission is committed to nurturing growing artists and our New Musicals Festivals is just the place for that. We were blown away by the outstanding musicals we received this year! Our choice was incredibly difficult but this is guaranteed to be an incredible night of theatre. 

So here's the deal: The final four will present 20 minute excerpts of their shows as a staged reading. Our guest judges, along with MTM's administrative board, will decide on awards for Best Composition, Best Book, Best Lyrics, Best Actor/Actress, Best Musical Direction and a few other awards. The audience will select their favorite, and lastly, ONE show will be crowned "Best Musical." MTM will produce the "Best Musical" in our 2014-2015 season! 

Oh... and for everyone involved, there will be an exciting cocktail party following the event! 

HERE ARE THE FINAL FOUR:

Queen of the West
Submitted by: Derek Hassler

Mayday
Submitted by: Jason Hart

Eddie and the Palaceades
Submitted by: Roy O'Neil

Mourning Becomes Ridiculous
Submitted by: Chuck Muckle 

We will be highlighting each of the new musicals on our blog and website over the next few weeks! This year, we are even starting individual fundraising campaigns for each show! So, if you can't come to the festival but would like to make a financial contribution to the future production of your favorite show, stay tuned!!! This line-up is sure to make for a great evening of great theatre!


MTM's New Blog

Thank you so much for visiting our NEW BLOG! If you haven't been keeping up with MTM - that's ok! We'd love to give you a quick overview of who we are and what's been going on!

Manhattan Theatre Mission was founded in January of 2011 by a group of recent college graduates who had somehow made it to the big apple to pursue careers in the arts, or arts related fields. We started our company because we wanted to produce quality theatre in Manhattan, while maintaining the luxuries that all of us secretly love about community theatre. Many of us wanted to be able to audition/direct/choreograph/etc., but had also pursued other careers that kept us occupied during the days. MTM is a "have your cake and eat it too" type of place. But we don't let our artistry suffer because we've chosen a 9-5 (or 10-6 as is more typical of our work habits) type of job. 

Founder, Katy Baker moved to NYC in 2009 after graduating with a B.F.A. in Acting from Texas Tech University. She did not move to New York with the intention of becoming a producer. In fact, she always knew she wanted to be a theatre teacher of some sort. But she wanted to gain more experience in the field and train with the absolute best before becoming an influence in the lives of young aspiring artists. She did just that. After performing around the city, studying improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and networking with other young producers, she decided she'd like to try it herself. Over the last few years, the administrative board has evolved and each of its members have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience which has only made our programming better. 

MTM spent a lot of time deciding exactly what their angle would be, but when it came down to it, the original idea - to create a hub where artists could be nurtured, network, and grow in whatever way they need to - became the overall expectation for the organization's endeavors. 

Members of Manhattan Theatre Mission's board as well as the actors who have performed in our previous productions have all been able to utilize MTM as a spring board to propel themselves in the direction of their own career goals. MTM hosts actors and board members who are secure and happy in their own professions and participate as a hobby, but we have also worked with actors who have gone on to perform on Broadway, national tours and international tours. Additionally, our administrative board members are all working professionally at organizations which benefit the arts and arts education nationwide. 

Our previous projects have included multiple cabarets to benefit charities as well as youth programs, contributions to the Broadway production of Godspell, producing original new works, and participating in the New York International Fringe Festival. One of our most rewarding projects has been our New Musicals Festival. This will be our second year to host this festival and we were truly blown away with the submissions this year! This year's festival will take place on Saturday, December 7th at the Times Square Arts Center. There will be 20 minute excerpts from each of the four finalists presented in a staged reading format. The event begins at 4pm with an awards ceremony at 6pm AND an exciting cocktail party to follow! The winning show of the Festival of New Musicals will be produced by MTM during our 2014-2015 season. 

We are making big plans for Manhattan Theatre Mission and we hope that you'll be along for the ride!