Posted: 7/6/15 at 6:59pm
I totally forgot that NYMF was starting performances this week. I took a look through the productions and didn't really see anything that got me excited with the exception of TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA.
Please discuss anything you see here and let others know.
Posted: 7/6/15 at 8:07pm
I worked with one of the creatives of "What Do Critics Know" when I interned at the York Theatre. He's a really great guy and I hope his show does well!
In related news, I'm hoping that at least one of the shows I am working on will be ready for submission into next year's festival...HERE'S HOPING...!
Posted: 7/6/15 at 10:23pm
The music for Single Wide sounds OK and Deep Love seems somewhat promising. I'm still regretting not seeing Searching for Romeo last year.
Posted: 7/9/15 at 12:20am
Realized I skipped the readings when I was looking over the offerings. Is anyone going to see Scarlet or Day of Wrath?
Posted: 7/9/15 at 9:58pm
Went to the preview concert and there's lots of good stuff to see!
I have tickets to these five:
TONYA & NANCY: Literally seems hilarious and I LOVE Jenna Leigh Green! I'm going on Sunday. I have to see it!
MANUEL VS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY: The music is amazing! This might have the strongest score of the bunch and so topical!
ACAPPELLA: The plot seems vague but they blew me out of the water vocally!
DEEP LOVE: Nice folksy sounding music... very dark but I'm interested... kinda like a morbid version of Once with face paint.
CLAUDIO QUEST: John Tartaglia and video game puppets... I'm in!
Posted: 7/9/15 at 11:56pm
Hey! I'm super excited about NYMF this year. We're actually working on a blog where we cover and reviews the NYMF shows that usually don't get reviews--we have three up now: Claudio Quest, Moses Man and Wearing Black. If you guys'd like to, check out our latest couple of reviews--we'd appreciate it!
Posted: 7/10/15 at 11:11am
I'm super excited for some friends of mine to bring back POPE, which played to great success at the Fringe a few years ago. Totally biased, but it's a great show. (And I loved the show because I was friends with them, so maybe a bit less biased.)
Posted: 7/11/15 at 3:07am
My NYMF thus far...
Reading: THE RUNAWAY CLONE very fun and very very silly, but lacked (to me) much to engage with. Strong performances, well directed, big audience response, lots of laughs. Pamela Eberhart (who also wrote it), Jake Kelsey, and Carson Higgins were the standouts to me. 1 more performance, Sunday at 1pm, free (but probably waitlisted)
http://www.nymf.org/festival/2015-events/runaway-clone
Reading: SCARLET (as in LETTER, as opposed to O'Hara or Street): surprisingly good, with lovely music and very strong leads (who were involved in a production in Portland) i recommend it, they have 1 more showing at 5pm Sunday, and it's free. I'm not sure the world is clamoring for a musical SCARLET LETTER, but it is good, and funnier than i recall from junior high. And the little girl who plays Pearl in act 2 is awesome, as is the mother/daughter relationship.
http://www.nymf.org/festival/2015-events/scarlet
Production: 210 AMLENT AVENUE - i liked this a LOT as a reading last year, delighted to see it picked up for a full production. The problematic ending of last year's edition has been changed drastically, which was a huge relief. Strong performances throughout, especially Robin Skye (reprising her role from the reading), Zal Owen (the best part not on a trapeze of ANGEL DELUNA in NYMF 2013), Lisa Beth Birnbaum (also in the 2014 reading), and Stephen Hauck (wonderful in CROSSING SWORDS at NYMF 2013).Its remaining shows are Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday.
http://www.nymf.org/festival/2015-events/210-amlent-avenue
Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:25am
Hiya!
Anyone else doing any NYMFing?
i was going to list more of mine, but it's kinda boring to talk to myself (imean, i already know what i think.)
But, since then i've seen
BALLOON BOY 
GUIDE TO BEING SINGLE 
CLAUDIO QUEST
WEARING BLACK
WINDYWOO AND HER NAUGHTY NAUGHTY PETS :)
tomorrow will be
TONYA AND NANCY and
DAUGHTER OF THE WAVES
Posted: 7/14/15 at 9:25am
"Hiya!
Anyone else doing any NYMFing?
i was going to list more of mine, but it's kinda boring to talk to myself (imean, i already know what i think.)
But, since then i've seen
BALLOON BOY
GUIDE TO BEING SINGLE
CLAUDIO QUEST
WEARING BLACK
WINDYWOO AND HER NAUGHTY NAUGHTY PETS :)
tomorrow will be
TONYA AND NANCY and
DAUGHTER OF THE WAVES
"
I saw Claudio Quest on Sunday - it was really cute I thought! As a gamer I loved the concept and a lot of the book. I feel like it could've delved a little deeper into Claudio's psychological epiphany though.
Also seeing Tonya and Nancy tomorrow!
Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:49am
I saw CLAUDIO QUEST yesterday and really loved it. I'm actually really surprised at how polished everything was between the puppets and costumes. My one question is why the Yoshi stand-in had to look so sh!tty.
While I get that people might think this is only for people who are big gamers or former gamers, I would disagree. There are definitely references to classic video games that make it all the more enjoyable for those who get them but it's a really universal story. The music is super catchy and the book has a lot of heart and comedy. When I saw one of the guys involved also worked on TRIASSIC PARQ it totally made sense because they're in a similar vein.
Hoping to get a chance to see TONYA & NANCY but don't know if it'll happen.
Posted: 7/18/15 at 1:11am
As of Monday - i'm a little behind on posting:
So far, CLAUDIO QUEST and TONYA AND NANCY are my top picks for full productions, though WEARING BLACK was really strong, as was AMLENT AVENUE.
GUIDE TO BEING SINGLE was an excellent reading, i could easily see that being produced in a number of situations.
BALLOON BOY was my biggest disappointment, it felt like a brainstorming session had happened and they decided to keep everything. And it was LONG, i saw the 3rd presentation, and they'd apparently decided to cut the intermission... but it was still 1:45 and had about 4 false endings. I learned after seeing it that it was written by a high school student, which makes me more lenient to the show, but not to why it was included here.
WINDYWOO is a kids' show that is super entertaining for adults as well. i have no familiarity with the show/books/etc this is based on, but it was clever, funny, and well cast, and the music was a lot of fun. It also feels ready to be produced. Hmm - Remy Zaken was a lead in both of my favorite readings.
Since then i've seen:
Readings:
DAUGHTER OF THE WAVES :S
So many potentially interesting stories, but unfortunately lacking in clarity. Lots of talent, and i'd love to read a novel with all of these storylines - and perhaps some backstory. The time jumps were confusing, not helped by having the Irish accented narrator speaking toward the cast more than the audience. There is also a 'soundscape' under some of it, which muddies it even more.
INTO THE SUN
I'm a big WWI buff, and so this was kinda made for me, i loved it. Many of the songs set WWI era poetry to music, to impressive result. Beautifully directed. It was actually too short, only about 1:15, though i hear they cut it nearly in half in rehearsals. Hopefully there is a happy medium.
THE GOLD
If i wanted to be glib, i'd say: The best 1st musical written by a plastic surgeon i've ever seen. (o, i guess i just did)
I believe some of the events are based on the lives of the writer's family, but there has got to be a lot of license taken, things fit together a little too perfectly (and predictably.) Despite some lovely moments and performances, this was a no for me.
RAILS :)
A NYMF royalty cast with Lynne Wintersteller, Joe Cassidy, Leah Horowitz, Robb Sapp and 3 stories within a framing story about a woman with dementia whose caretaker son reads her the stories (based on her life) to keep in touch with her. Lovely and beautifully performed.
productions: Joey Contreras in Concert, which was fun, not a whole lot to comment on... Mostly pop, great band and guest performers.
tomorrow is DAY OF WRATH (reading), and WHERE ALL THE RIVERS GO TO SLEEP
Posted: 7/21/15 at 5:50am
Any other NYMF goers on here want to weigh in on things they've seen?
I am super curious to hear more opinions.
(saw iLLA today and it was really great - more about the weekend later - if anyone's interested still...)
Posted: 7/21/15 at 10:00am
I saw "HeadVoice" two days ago. It was simple, cute really. I found it entertaining.
Posted: 7/21/15 at 3:00pm
Hey All! Long time reader, first time posting, so just getting the hang of this. Also first time NYMF-ing and wanted to post my thoughts on some of the shows I saw earlier in the month. I really am so impressed by all the work it takes to put on so many productions like this. I think the intricacies of NYMF are astounding.
210 AMLENT AVENUE-I thought there definitely were some problems with the show, and it sometimes tended to shift towards melodrama (in between a few too many charm songs that didn't need to be there), but there were some fabulous performances, namely Robin Skye and Jen Brissman. Definitaly some songs I can see being sung at college showcases and beyond, and the orchestrations were really stunning.
TONYA and NANCY-The direction was perfect for the show. It perfectly nailed the goofy tone of the story and what the writers were trying to do. The performances were also stellar, and Liz McCartney is literally giving a total tour-de-force as the mothers. Tony Lepage was great too. That being said, I thought the writing was really not up to snuff. For a show that had so much comedic potential, the script was basically humorless without a single actual joke. The main punchline just seemed to be that Tonya and Nancy were singing. To me, the writing just felt lazy, almost as if it was all written one night by a few guys in a dorm room with a keyboard. Still a really polished and fun production though.
CLAUDIO QUEST-I cannot say enough good things about Claudio Quest. The direction was fantastic, the cast was superb, the writing was hilarious, tuneful and poignant (I actually started to unexpectedly tear up at one moment) and the orchestrations were great (including the pre-show, which transformed today's pop songs into that fun, 8-bit style of music). Even with some of the raunchiness, I also wouldn't mind bringing young kids in to see it. It actually almost was a little too polished for the festival like this. It was basically a new world stages production already, but I really hope that it does transfer, because I need a cast recording.
I also saw one reading on a whim, BALLOON BOY, and I don't want to go too into depth because they're developmental, but I thought that the writing was pretty good, and was impressed by the level of heart they found, while keeping the goofiness of the actual story. It almost felt like a smarter TONYA and NANCY, since they're both similar in theory. I do think it needs an intermission, but I'd love to see it as a full production next year.
Really wanted to see WEARING BLACK and didn't get the chance. Anyone see SINGLE WIDE yet? Looking forward to that. Also want to see WHAT DO CRITICS KNOW?
Posted: 7/22/15 at 1:51am
I just posted this on another thread but I just saw MANUEL VERSUS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY and it really freaking blew me away! I literally laughed and cried and have the "sueno" song stuck in my head. (had to ask someone who spoke spanish what that meant - it means dream) The score was amazing, the cast was just completely hilarious and I never could have predicted the ending. WOW this thing has Broadway written all over it! I really hope this thing transfers! I'm blown away!!!! They were sold out tonight but they apparently extended... Run to see this before they sell out, it's the best thing I saw this year at NYMF! Bravo!
Another one I was completely surprised by was SUMMER VALLEY FAIR! What an unusual and inspiring little show where all the music comes from the star's computer. Really interesting concept.
I also saw a reading of RAILS which has a lot of potential with some gorgeous music, I saw CLAUDIO QUEST which was a lot of fun though I don't remember any of the songs now, TONYA & NANCY was all the camp that I expected and could use some rewrites structurally but I expect this one to transfer off-broadway! DEEP LOVE had some of the most beautiful music and a cast of the most amazing singers and some interesting choreography but it didn't have much of a plot - it was sort of like watching a movie in a foreign language with no subtitles and trying to decide what the plot is yourself. ACCAPELLA had the same issues with the plot but I had such a blast at this show because of the cast and the music. They should hire a script doctor and this show could have a life after the festival. I also caught Joey Contrerras in concert and that was a cute and fun show. He's got some catchy songs too.
All in all my festival experience this year was superb! What a great year!
Posted: 7/22/15 at 2:09pm
An unfortunately disappointing weekend:
DAY OF WRATH (reading)
A 5 person operetta-like retelling of FRANKENSTEIN. Disclaimer: opera is NOT my thing. At all. 2nd disclaimer: i left at intermission. Not because i hated it, but i knew it wasn't going anywhere that would make me like it more.
That said, from the start the lyrics were not strong, forced rhymes, prosody, etc - it would have sounded better in a language i don't know. (Dialogue too: when Victor's fiancee tells his father 'I just love your son SO MUCH' it's a bit awkward... when she goes on to say 'in ways I probably shouldn't speak of' i have to work to not giggle.) But the monster was AWESOME - a pretty blond boy who let loose with this incredible operatic voice - wow.
WHERE ALL THE RIVERS GO TO SLEEP :|
I was super excited about this, but i found it pretty uninteresting - how you can take New Orleans, a brothel, Mardi Gras, and lesbian longing and have it be dull, i dunno. Too many songs were similar in tempo, i think, and perhaps they went too far making the music period. Carole Bufford, however, was AMAZING - i'd seen her name, but never heard her perform - i wouldn't miss any chance to catch her in something else.
DEEP LOVE
I don't know what this was, but it was not interesting at all - whoever said it was like watching a foreign film - yes. I gave up on the 'plot' and had more fun making up stories about Skeletor, the Mountain Man, Katie Holmes, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Act 2. I know we were supposed to care about Bones/Skeletor, but completely obscuring him with - very well done - makeup obscured any connection to him. Mountain man had a very vocal bunch of fans who yelled and screamed when he came on, but his appeal was lost on me (I spent a fair amount of time thinking of all the things i'd like to see/hear Buffy - actually Amy Whitcomb - in. She is AWESOME, with a huge voice. Love to hear her EVITA...)
POPE! AN EPIC MUSICAL :|
EVERYONE else in the theatre apparently thought this was HYSTERICAL. I did for about 20 minutes, then it started to feel repetitive. Excellent performances made this production seem better than the material, particularly Sam Bolen as Pope and Britney Coleman as Mary Elizabeth. The opening number was so much fun, and i think set up a slightly different show... but again, i was vastly in the minority for not loving this.
Next up... things got MUCH better Monday with:
iLLA (reading)
WOMEN OF NOTE (concert)
Posted: 7/22/15 at 3:16pm
Posted: 7/22/15 at 4:41pm
Manuel Vs. The Statue of Liberty
GREAT idea. Loved alot of the lyrics. Loved the concept, and the storytelling following Manuel as he pursues his freedom, broken into boxing match rounds with the statue of liberty.
Loved Manuel. gave his heart and soul. great actor. good voice.
Didnt care for the music.... HATED the orchestrations. Random offstage beatboxing for one rap number, and then the drums in then next rap number?
The whole thing was sloppy. It didnt feel tight and clean. People all over the place. Choreography didnt feel together.
The cast was giving it their all. Good ensemble. Disliked the mother. way to brash a singer, and gave a stereotypical latina mother performance.
Manuel was the standout, as he should be.
Didnt care for the statue of liberty. She was trying her best. but didnt have the chops for the role. WHY did they cast a trans woman covered in tattoos to represent america? It could have been a BRILLIANT choice, if they made it a choice. But it was never mentioned, implied, or implicated...
Posted: 7/22/15 at 5:04pm
Saw 2 shows on Sunday, Pope and Napoleon.
Pope was hysterical and a lot of fun. A lot of great numbers but What Would Jesus Do was one of the best.
Napoleon was very good as well. The music was great as was the cast. The small staging worked very well.
Overall, would recommend both as I really enjoyed them both.
Posted: 7/22/15 at 5:08pm
We've been having a great time reviewing tons of NYMF shows--we've posted up a bunch of new ones over the past week. Check some of 'em out below if you like. Really varied lineup this year at NYMF, it's been very fun exploring them all.
We'll be reviewing more through this week, too!
Updated On: 7/22/15 at 05:08 PM
Posted: 7/22/15 at 9:59pm
I saw Deep Love today. There were parts of it that I definitely liked. The performers weren't consistent but they definitely all have good voices. There were times when it really felt like the creators came from a reality singing competition background because there was just pointless showing off. I loved the heavy use of saxophone. You don't get that a lot usually in musical theatre.
I really disliked the dancing. The couple did a nice job but the shades or ghosts or Furies were just distracting and odd. And either way, it felt so anachronistic with the costumes. But then, that almost doesn't feel like a fair criticism because what time period does this take place in? I have no idea. This story lacks any context. It's very abstract and the lyrics are vague, trite, and contradictory. It's almost like a jukebox musical where someone is trying to force songs to fit a story without making any lyric adjustments. It would have worked so much better as a comedy. I could not believe I was supposed to take Friedrich and Constance's love story seriously after their first meeting full of cliches and some of the most trite lyrics I've ever heard. I didn't like any of the characters in this show.
Posted: 7/23/15 at 2:34am
Monday was a good NYMF day.
WOMEN OF NOTE
i think the best edition NYMF has put together for this series - i think it's the 3rd or 4th year for it (it was called Music Box in the past). Jen Bender and her team and honorary chair Jeanine Tesori put together an awesome night of songs written or co-written by women, and got some great star power to perform it.
At 4pm Monday, i saw the 11th of the 10 developmental readings:
iLLA
It's a hip-hop musical, and far more staged than your ordinary staged reading... and it is WONDERFUL. To me, this is why we go to these festivals and readings - every so often there is something new and delightful, and it is such a joy. It's not a perfect, finished work, that performance was the 1st time the writers had seen it in front of an audience - and it got such a standing ovation that if one of the producers hadn't come out to talk, we might have made them late for their 8pm performance. It's hip-hop/rap music with musical theatre references (SWEENEY TODD, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, and Ahrens and Flaherty all get shout outs in rap lyrics). Its ancestry definitely includes both FAME and PASSING STRANGE, and there are some muddled plot points, and our protagonist's family is a bit cliche... but, if you can get into the 5pm reading tomorrow (sold out but there's always a waitlist) GO!
Tomorrow is SINGLE WIDE and probably HELD MOMENTARILY , or maybe SONGS FOR THE FALLEN, i'm undecided. :)
Saturday will be WHAT DO CRITICS KNOW, MANUEL VS STATUE, and FOOLERIE
wheee..!
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