Photo by John Novotny
The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) announced today the winners of the 2017 NYMF Awards for Excellence, which were awarded on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Hudson Terrace (621 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036). The 2017 NYMF Award for Best Musical Sponsored by Play-by-Play was awarded to GENERATION ME, with the Show-Score Best of Fest Awards for Readings, Concerts/Beta Musicals and Productions, going to CHRISTMAS IN HELL, DORIAN GRAY, and ERROL AND FIDEL, respectively. GENERATION ME took home the most awards, with GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS, ERROL AND FIDEL, and FREEDOM RIDERS taking home multiple prizes as well.
Show-Score.com, a new website for audiences to discover live theater in New York City, partnered with NYMF to present the Show-Score “Best of Fest” Audience Prize, an award determined by audience vote. Show-Score joins returning award sponsor Play-By-Play.
The 2017 NYMF Awards for Excellence were designed by Kevin Lee Allen and generously commissioned by Hugh Hayes, a longstanding NYMF Board Member and founder of Play-by-Play. A full list of nominees and winners can be found below.
2017 NYMF AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
OUTSTANDING OVERALL DESIGN
Winner: Jason H. Thompson, Whitney Locher, Scott Neale, Ann Wrightson, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
Nominees:
Starlet Jacobs, Heather Carey, Isabella Byrd, Shannon Slaton, ERROL AND FIDEL
Nick Solyom, Caitlin Ward, Josh Liebert, THE FOURTH MESSENGER
Lauren Mills, Vanessa Leuck, Jamie Roderick, Patrick LaChance, THE TIME MACHINE
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS AND ORCHESTRATIONS
Winner: Doug Oberhamer, ERROL AND FIDEL
Nominees:
Jonathan Ivie, A WALL APART
Conor Keelan, GENERATION ME
Max Gordon, THE GOREE ALL-GIRL STRING BAND
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
Winner: Justin Boccitto, ERROL AND FIDEL
Nominees:
Jacob Montoya, GENERATION ME
Billy Griffin, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVIL
Enrique Brown, TEMPLE OF THE SOULS
OUTSTANDING BOOK
Winner: Julie Soto, GENERATION ME
Nominees:
West Hyler and Matt Schatz, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
Emilie Landmann and Carrie Morgan, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVIL
Jason Jacobs, MISS BLANCHE TELLS IT ALL
OUTSTANDING LYRICS
Winner: Matt Schatz with Additional Lyrics by Jack Herrick, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
Nominees:
Richard Allen and Taran Gray, FREEDOM RIDERS
Julie Soto, GENERATION ME
Julie Dunlap and Sara Stotts, MOTHERFREAKINGHOOD! (MATERNAL DISCRETION ADVISED)
Tanya Shaffer with Additional Lyrics by Vienna Teng, THE FOURTH MESSENGER
OUTSTANDING MUSIC
Winner: Richard Allen and Taran Gray, FREEDOM RIDERS
Nominees:
Will Finan, GENERATION ME
Matt Schatz with Additional Music by Jack Herrick, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
Artie Sievers, THE GOREE ALL-GIRL STRING BAND
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Winners:
Randy Blair, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
George Psomas, ERROL AND FIDEL
Nattalyee Randall, THE GOREE ALL-GIRL STRING BAND
Nominees:
Casey Erin Clark, PLAY LIKE A WINNER
Max Crumm, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVL
Ciaran McCarthy, FREEDOM RIDERS
Nygel D. Robinson, FREEDOM RIDERS
Lorraine Velez, TEMPLE OF THE SOULS
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A LEADING ROLE
Winners:
Nancy Anderson, THE FOURTH MESSENGER
Milo Manheim, GENERATION ME
Brian Charles Rooney, MISS BLANCHE TELLS IT ALL
Nominees:
Anthony Chatmon II, FREEDOM RIDERS
Jillian Louis, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
Lesli Margherita, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVIL
Lauren Patten, THE GOREE ALL-GIRL STRING BAND
Brynn Williams, FREEDOM RIDERS
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE
Winner: GENERATION ME. Cast includes Addyson Bell, Jenna Bergman, Laila Drew, Ian Ferrell, Mateo Gonzales, Brett Hargrave, Celia Hottenstein, Milo Manheim, Will Meyers, Julia Nightingale, Anthony Norman, Dante Palminteri, Oscar Revelins, Anabella Ronson-Benenati, Deandre Sevon
Nominees:
FREEDOM RIDERS
MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVIL
THE GOREE ALL-GIRL STRING BAND
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION
Winner: West Hyler, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
Nominees:
Michael Bello, ERROL AND FIDEL
Ryan Warren, GENERATION ME
Matt August, THE FOURTH MESSENGER
Tom Caruso, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVIL
BEST MUSICAL SPONSORED BY PLAY-BY-PLAY
Winner: GENERATION ME –Book by Julie Soto; Music by Will Finan; Lyrics by Julie Soto; Story by Julie Soto & Ryan Warren
Nominees:
GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVIL
THE GOREE ALL-GIRL STRING BAND
THE FOLLOWING RECEIVED OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AWARDS:
Janet Aldrich, BEN, VIRGINIA, AND ME (THE LIBERACE MUSICAL)
Sydia Cedeño, ERROL AND FIDEL
Ian Ferrell, GENERATION ME
Julia Nightingale, GENERATION ME
Anabella Ronson-Benenati, GENERATION ME
PJ Griffith, GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS
Harriet D. Foy, MOTHERFREAKINGHOOD! (MATERNAL DISCRETION ADVISED)
Tara Martinez, NIGHT TIDE
Sharon Sachs, NUMBERS NERDS
Carrie Berk, PEACE, LOVE, AND CUPCAKES
Zoe Wilson, PLAY LIKE A WINNER
SPECIAL CITATIONS
Building a Movement Through Musical Theater: Sheryl Berk, Carrie Berk, Jill Jaysen, and Rick Hip-Flores of PEACE, LOVE, AND CUPCAKES for their partnership with NoBully.org
Theatre for Young Audiences: Matthew McElligott, Tuxbury, Brian Sheldon, and Michael Musial, BACKBEARD
Extraordinary Festival Costume Design: Kurt Alger for BEN, VIRGINIA AND ME (THE LIBERACE MUSICAL)
Social Relevance and Impact: Richard Allen and Taran Gray, FREEDOM RIDERS
Festival Achievement in Projection Design: Kevan Loney for his work on BEN, VIRGINIA AND ME (THE LIBERACE MUSICAL); GENERATION ME; NUMBERS NERDS; and THE CADAVER SYNOD
2017 SHOW-SCORE BEST OF FEST AWARDS
SHOW-SCORE BEST OF FEST: READING
CHRISTMAS IN HELL
SHOW-SCORE BEST OF FEST: CONCERT/EVENT
DORIAN GRAY
SHOW-SCORE BEST OF FEST: PRODUCTION
AWARDS PER SHOW:
Generation Me – 8
Georama: An American Panorama Told on 3 Miles of Canvas – 5
Errol and Fidel – 5
Ben Virginia And Me – 3
Freedom Riders – 2
Numbers Nerds – 2
Peace, Love, And Cupcakes – 2
The Goree All-Girl String Band – 1
The Fourth Messenger – 1
Miss Blanche Tells It All – 1
Motherfreakinghood – 1
Night Tide – 1
Play Like A Winner – 1
Christmas In Hell – 1
Dorian Gray – 1
Backbeard – 1
The Cadaver Synod – 1
The of productions, readings, concerts and events for the 2017 NYMF includes A WALL APART; BACKBEARD: A NEW MUSICAL; THE BODY POLITIC; THE FOURTH MESSENGER; FREEDOM RIDERS: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MUSICAL; GENERATION ME; GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS; PLAY LIKE A WINNER; TEMPLE OF THE SOULS; THE GOREE ALL-GIRL STRING BAND; BEN, VIRGINIA AND ME (THE LIBERACE MUSICAL); MOTHERFREAKINGHOOD! (MATERNAL DISCRETION ADVISED); ERROL AND FIDEL; NIGHT TIDE; NUMBERS NERDS; MISS BLANCHE TELLS IT ALL; MY DEAR WATSON; THE TIME MACHINE; ECO; FIREFLY IN THE NIGHT; KILLER WIGS FROM OUTER SPACE; PAINTING FAYE SALVEZ; PEDRO PAN; THE HOUSE OF EDGAR ALLEN POE; WOODY – A NEW FAIRY TALE; THE CADAVER SYNOD: A POPE MUSICAL; PEACE, LOVE AND CUPCAKES; 2000 NICKELS: A VIETNAM LEGACY; CHRISTMAS IN HELL; FORA; #BLACKGIRLJOY: STAR JOHNSON IN CONCERT; CAMP WANATACHI: IN CONCERT; HAPPILY: THE MUSICAL; HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN: AN EVENING OF NEW AMERICAN MICRO-MUSICALS WORKS; QING CHENG/DARK CITY; THE LIGHT RAIL; THE SHAKESPEAREAN JAZZ SHOW; UNITED WE STAND (STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM); WOMEN OF NOTE; DORIAN GRAY; I AM, I WILL, I DO; THE DEMISE, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY VS. THE DEVIL: AN AMERICAN MYTH and more.
For a full list of productions, events, and concerts, visit NYMF.org.
New York Musical Festival (NYMF) nurtures the creation, production, and public presentation of stylistically, thematically, and culturally diverse new musicals to ensure the future vitality of musical theater.
Now in its fourteenth year, the Festival is the premier musical theater event in the world. The preeminent site for launching new musicals and discovering new talent, the Festival provides an affordable platform for artists to mount professional productions that reach their peers, industry leaders, and musical theater fans. More than 97 Festival shows have gone on to productions on and Off-Broadway, in regional theaters in all 50 states, and in more than 20 countries worldwide. Festival alumni have received a wide array of awards including the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize. In 2013, NYMF received a special Drama Desk Award in recognition of its work “creating and nurturing new musical theater, ensuring the future of this essential art form.”
New York Musical Festival is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. NYMF is supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Karen Akers, Jim Caruso, Tony Danza, Jamie deRoy, Max von Essen, Melissa Errico, Bob Mackie, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Josh Prince, Lee Roy Reams, Rex Reed, Randy Roberts, Mo Rocca , Mark Sendroff, Lee Roy Reams, Brenda Vaccaro and David Zippel were there to see and honor Cabaret legend and Grammy nominee Marilyn Maye. Maye who turns 95 April 10th, made her at Carnegie Hall solo debut last night with The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke.
Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Maye is a highly praised singer, actress, director, arranger, educator, Grammy nominated recording artist and a musical treasure. Her entire life has been committed to the art of song and performance and it showed with the 12 standing ovations she received.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Maye appeared 76 times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, she was “discovered” by Steve Allen and had a RCA recording contract, seven albums and 34 singles.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
The evening started out with the superlative New York Pops Overture of Mame, which Maye had played the title role.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Next a Cole Porter Medley with “Looking at You,” Concentrate On You,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” It’s Alright With Me,””Just One of Those Things,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “All of You”. This was Marilyn’s second standing ovation. The first was when she stood on that stage for the first time and the audience was rapturous.
Marilyn Maye and Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
A terrific “It’s Today” from Mame with high flying kicks was the third ovation and wow can that woman kick.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
A rainbow medley included “Look To The Rainbow” from Finnian’s Rainbow, the iconic “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” the jazzy “Make Me Rainbows” and of course “The Rainbow Connection.” And with that another standing ovation.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
“Put On A Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Tedd Firth and Marilyn Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Frank Loesser’s Joey, Joey, Joey brought on a fifth standing ovation. This song was a masterclass in acting and vocal nuance. For that matter every song that comes out of Ms. Maye’s mouth is perfection. Part of the brilliance of this night is her musical director, arranger, and pianist Ted Firth. That man is a genius.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Lerner and Loewe’s “On The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady ended the first act with a sixth standing ovation.
Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
The overture from Hello Dolly! and then Cabaret shows Marilyn Maye also starred in opened the second act. The New York Pops sounded phenomenal as always.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
“Your Gonna Hear From Me” from “Inside Daisy Clover was an appropriate starter for this next round as the audience got to its feet.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Maye’s most requested song “Guess Who I Saw Today” from New Faces of 1952 was followed by a show stopping “Fifty Percent” from Ballroom and of course another standing ovation.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Her next song was chosen by the Smithsonian Institute to be included in its permanent collection of recordings from the 20th century. Her recording of “Too Late Now” is considered by the Smithsonian to be one of the 110 Best American Compositions of the Twentieth Century and Ms. Maye showed us why and again another standing ovation.
Being presented with flowers
A proclamation from The City of New York read by Steven Reineke to Marilyn Maye made this day Marilyn Maye Day. This treasure cried with joy as she sang Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here.” Though she forgot some of the lyric, Ms. Maye proved performing is all on the intent and connecting to the audience. Two more standing ovations were added here.
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
For encores, I was thrilled to hear James Taylor’s “Circle of Life” and “Here’s To Life,” which is my personal favorite, finally going back into “It’s Today” with those high kicks and a twelfth standing ovation. Bravo Ms. Maye!
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
If you are a singer and do not catch Ms. Maye live, you really do not care about your craft. Last night Ms. Maye made it clear why she’s been celebrated as one of America’s greatest jazz singers for more than 50 years and this was a night I will always remember. Thank-you New York Pops.
Marilyn Maye By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Jamie deRoy and Tony Danza Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Eric Gabbard., Steven Reineke, Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Bob Mackie and Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye and Mark Sendroff Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Karen Akers, Sidney Myer, Marilyn Maye and Lee Roy Reams Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Josh Prince, Marilyn Maye and Michael Novak Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Don’t miss the Pop’s 40th Birthday Gala: This One’s For You: The Music Of Barry Manilow on Monday, May 1st. The gala will star Sean Bell, Erich Bergen, Betty Buckley, Charo, Deborah Cox, Danny Kornfeld, Norm Lewis, Melissa Manchester, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Billy Stritch, Steven Telsey, Max von Essen, Dionne Warwick, and more to be announced. This will be yet another New York Pop’s Night not to miss.
I arrived to a packed lecture room at a Library in South Florida. This lecture caught my eye weeks prior and I made sure to have it in my calendar. After all, how many more times will I get a chance to hear a 99 year old survivor tell his remarkable story of inconceivable hell, survival and ultimately impressive success? What I heard in the room that day was hard to fathom it wasn’t part of a Spielberg movie with some creative liberty thrown in to embellish an already unbelievable true story. This was the real deal. A vivid description of hell on earth. What I couldn’t understand is how did this survivor go on to create a vibrant family and a very successful business career and not be bitter every day of his life? Equally remarkable is how someone his age could tell a story from 85 years ago as if it happened yesterday and with energy and charisma of someone half his age. He spoke for 45 minutes without a break. Little did anyone in the audience know that, just prior to arriving at the Library, he fell and injured himself, making his perseverance in even making it to the Library even more heroic. This is no ordinary man. I approached the stage after the lecture, patiently awaited my turn to speak with him and asked if I could interview him for my podcast. I am pretty sure he knew little to nothing of what a podcast was, but he agreed as you are about to learn why telling his story over and over is his divine mission.
Eli Marcus and Sam Ron
Sam Ron bears personal witness to the greatest atrocity in human history. He is one of the only remaining Holocaust Survivors his age who survived four concentration camps…and a Death March. He turns 99 in July. His story is remarkable…and he himself is equally as remarkable.
Here’s what you will learn when listening to this World Exclusive interview on The Motivation Show podcast:
-Where did Sam grow up and what was life like before the Germans invaded his country
-How life changed once the Germans invaded and how long did the changes take
-Why and when did Sam and his family decide to go into hiding and where did he hide
-How did Sam end up in the Krakow Ghetto, how was it different than the infamous Warsaw Ghetto, and what took place in the Ghetto
-When did Sam first realize that the Germans were not just transporting Jews to what they disguised as labor camps, but were actually killing them.
-How many times was Sam transported in cattle cars and what was that like
-Which concentration camps was Sam in & what were they like
-What was life like in the concentration camps and why did they move Sam around to different camps
-What is a Death March, why and how did that happen and how did Sam survive it
-What lessons should listeners take away from Sam’s experience
-What does Never Again mean to Sam and why is it so important for him to share this and other Holocaust lessons
You can listen to this interview on any podcast listening app or use this Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KBPe9jhTdYw1iA9UN7UiK WARNING: This interview is GUARANTEED to move you to tears!!!
Celebrate the very best in British theatre in a star-studded evening as the Olivier Awards return to the Royal Albert Hall on April 2nd.
Three-time Olivier Award nominee & Primetime Emmy winner, Hannah Waddingham will be hosting the awards for the first time.
The event will feature performances from all of the Best New Musical nominees, including The Band’s Visit, Standing At The Sky’s Edge, Sylvia and Tammy Faye. Also performing will be Oklahoma! and Sister Act, both nominated for the Best Musical Revival award, as well as Disney’s Newsies, which has been nominated for Matt Cole’s choreography.
The multi-Olivier Award winner The Book of Mormon, will be performing to mark its ten-year anniversary in the West End. Additionally, special award winner Arlene Philips will be honored with a tribute from the cast of Grease.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on Magic Radio from 6pm with Ruthie Henshall and Alice Arnold hosting.
The highlights program will also be aired on ITV1 and ITVX at 10:15 pm in the UK and via Official London Theatre’s YouTube channel elsewhere.
And the nominees are:
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