2009 Next Link Shows Announced

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the selections for the 2009 Next Link Project. Twelve of the Festival’s full production slots are reserved for participants in The Next Link Project, NYMF’s primary writer service program.  The Next Link Project empowers emerging musical theatre writing teams as both artists and entrepreneurs by providing the training and relationships needed to help them move their musicals from mere readings to fully-realized productions and to advance their careers by maximizing the exposure they receive in the Festival.

Any work that has not been produced professionally in New York City may be submitted by authors with or without industry representation, but scripts should be ready for developmental production and the widespread exposure NYMF provides. All entries undergo double-blind evaluations by several members of NYMF’s reading team, with finalists referred to a grand jury of celebrated industry professionals. This year’s judges included lyricist Susan Birkenhead, composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown, producer Robyn Goodman, director Kathleen Marshall, writer Robert Lopez, choreographer Sergio Trujillo and director Francesca Zambello.

The 2009 Next Link Project Official Selections are

The ToyMaker
Book, Music and Lyrics by Bryan Putnam
When Sarah’s marriage falls apart after two failed pregnancies, stories of a childless toy maker of the past propel her on a desperate search that spans the globe and time itself. In this tale of enduring passion and hope, Sarah's quest to find a missing toy and solve the mysteries of a village destroyed by war lead her to a destiny of fulfillment she once thought impossible.

This year's festival will run in midtown Manhattan September 28 - October 18. Festival tickets will go on sale to the public on September 1 but memberships, which combine charitable contributions with valuable, flexible ticket packages, are currently available for purchase by calling the NYMF Development Office at 212-664-0979 x12. For more a complete listing of the 2009 Next Link Shows CLICK HERE .