West Hyler News

Earlier this week, the cast and creative team of the new musical ILLUMINATI LIZARDS FROM OUTER SPACE gave a special sneak peek of the upcoming show. ILLUMINATI LIZARDS FROM OUTER SPACE features music and lyrics by Yuri Worontschak and book and lyrics by Paul Western-Pittard. When beauty-pageant contestant, Tina Lyons is cheated out of her rightful place in the finale of a Ms Beautiful World competition, she admits herself into the Savra Wellness Centre for Spiritual and Mental Wellbeing to rebalance her life. Little does she know she's accidentally checked-in to a top-secret operation run by Illuminati- lizard Overlords on a mission to colonize the planet. As it tracks the rise, fall, then rise again of Tina we're left wondering how we would react if we had the chance to get everything we ever wanted.

Earlier this week, the cast and creative team of the new musical FLYING LESSONS gave a special sneak peek of the upcoming show. FLYING LESSONS features a book by Donald Rupe, music by Donald Rupe and Cesar de la Rosa and orchestrations by Cesar de la Rosa, Josh Ceballos and Jason Bailey. In this charming musical, Isabella is a young Latina whose teacher has just assigned the final project of her eighth-grade year: research a historical figure and write a paper about what made them great. Joined by her quirky friends, Isabella has to decide who to study when she is visited in a dream by two unlikely companions: Amelia Earhart and Frederick Douglass. Over time, Isabella writes her own 'recipe for greatness' as she learns as much about herself as she does about history.

Earlier this week, the cast and creative team of the new musical LEAVING EDEN gave a special sneak peek of the upcoming show. LEAVING EDEN features a book & lyrics by Jenny Waxman; music by Ben Page and additional music by Ada Westfall. Woman and Man will never be the same.  In the beginning God created man and woman; Adam and Lilith. Lilith has some questions, Adam has some rules, and in a modern metropolis, Eve must deal with a mess of her own creation.  Leaving Eden is a punk-rock creation myth that asks: Is there wisdom in the Garden? And will we have to leave Eden to really know?

Earlier this week, the cast and creative team of the new musical FINDING BEAUTIFUL gave a special sneak peek of the upcoming show.BROTHER NAT features a book and lyrics by Liana Asim and Jabari Asim and music by Allyssa Jones and Damien Sneed. In this sung-through musical inspired by Nat Turner's historic slave insurrection, the hero toils and dreams of freedom until an Angel appears and issues a divine directive: Rise and revolt! The sign Nat has been waiting for arrives: a solar eclipse. In the darkness, he gathers his warriors and seizes the plantation. Against all odds, Nat dares to RISE above injustice, REVOLT against slavery and believe in the REDEMPTION of all humanity.

Earlier this week, the cast and creative team of the new musical FINDING BEAUTIFUL gave a special sneak peek of the upcoming show. FINDING BEAUTIFUL features a book, music, and lyrics by the inaugural NYMF Artist Fellowship recipient, Anessa Marie and Danny Bristoll. A celebration of identity, love, and life through the eyes of both a trans woman and gay man in today's society. Featuring a full jazz ensemble and music influenced by both jazz and musical theater, both unique voices combined offer a raw and unsung exploration of gender identity and the joys and sorrows of transitions, both physical and emotional, in America today. Finding Beautiful promises to speak to anyone who has juggled finding the beauty and love within themselves and the strength to be yourself unabashedly.

Earlier this week, the cast and creative team of the new musical LADYSHIP gave a special sneak peek of the upcoming show. LADYSHIP features a book, music, and lyrics by Laura and Linda Good. Is it a crime to survive? Convicted of petty crimes and sentenced to journey to a land they had never known, teenage Irish sisters Alice and Mary are forced to make the treacherous crossing from London to Australia in 1789. With a contemporary alt/pop score by Linda and Laura Good of the band the Twigs,LadyShip reminds us that whether in the 18th century or now, this story is all too familiar - when given no say in their lives or the world around them women will always find their own voice. Based on true events, this is the harrowing story of the 25,000 women who would become the "mothers of Australia," whether they wanted to be or not.

Now in its sixteenth year, the The New York Musical Festival will take place July 8th through August 4th with Mainstage productions at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, Readings at The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Rehearsal Studio, and Concerts at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, all on West 42nd Street in New York City. Scott Pyne serves as NYMF Executive Director and West Hyler serves as Producing Artistic Director.

The Disappearing Man, a new folk opera with Music, Lyrics and Book by Jahn Sood, Directed by NYMF's Artistic Director West Hyler, Music Directed and Arranged by Brian Cavanagh-Strong is set for three readings this summer as part of the New York Musical Festival reading series.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the June Panel, What It Takes to Run a Festival. (And What It Takes to Produce in One.) Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 7:30pm (networking at 7pm) at Polaris North Theatre, 245 W. 29th Street, 4th floor, NYC. This panel is free for TRU members; $12.50 for non-members in advance ($15 at door). Please reserve using the bright red reservation box at https://truonline.org/events/festivals-2/ or e-mail TRUStaff1@gmail.com.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) has announced the first ever NYMF Artist Fellowship, a two-year program that will be awarded annually to an exceptional artist of note who is changing the landscape of musical theater. The fellowship involves the presentation of a reading or concert in the first year of the fellowship and a full production in the second year.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) has announced that in recognition of his 2019 Tony Award nomination and his history as a NYMF Alum, Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter) will be the 2019 NYMF Honorary Chair.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) is proud to announce further selections for 2019 NYMF, which will take place from July 8 - August 4, 2019 at venues in midtown Manhattan in New York City. Scott Pyne serves as Executive Director and West Hyler serves as Producing Artistic Director. 

The Drama League's 2019 Spring Charity Auction has launched, featuring more than twenty once-in-a-lifetime prize packages.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) is proud to announce the initial lineup for 2019. Among the shows announced in the lineup are the Next Link Project selections, as well as the Invited Production selections. Now in its sixteenth year, the 2019 Festival will take place July through August at locations around midtown Manhattan in New York City. Scott Pyne serves as Executive Director and West Hyler serves as Producing Artistic Director.

West Hyler has been named as the new Producing Artistic Director of the 2019 New York Musical Festival, the Drama Desk Award-Winning organization committed to showcasing and nurturing new musical theater, ensuring the future of this essential art form.

Following a smash-hit international tour, the new, interactive theatrical event, DJEMBE! The Show, makes its U.S. debut at the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago), for a strictly limited engagement starting performances on March 19, 2019 (with an official premiere on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.). DJEMBE! (JEM-bay) will engage audiences in a high-energy program of powerful storytelling and inspiring music, including iconic pop hits. Leading this lively musical journey will be the trio of Broadway talent Ben Hope (Once) as Emcee; critically-acclaimed Chicago musical theater artist Rashada Dawan (Caroline, or Change) on lead vocals; and Guinean master drummer and folklorist Fode Lavia Camara, backed by an ensemble of world-class musicians.

Broadway brightest stars celebrated film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award-winner Nath Nathan Lane and Broadway producer Fran Weissler at the Drama League's 35th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway Benefit Gala held on Monday, November 5, 2018 at The Plaza.

Last night was the Drama League's 35th Annual Benefit Gala: A Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane. The black-tie evening also celebrated theater producer Fran Weissler for Visionary Leadership in American Theater. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out all the photos below!

The Drama League has announced additional special guests for its 35th Annual Benefit Gala: A Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane.

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director, Gabriel Stelian-Shanks) has announced the roster of special guest performers for its 35th Annual Benefit Gala: A Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane. The black-tie evening, which will also celebrate theater producer Fran Weissler for Visionary Leadership in American Theater, will take place on Monday, November 5, 2018 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in New York City at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue). The Gala Co-Chairs are Kathy Henderson, Janet M. Kagan, and Joseph Pizza.