Innovation and Talent on Stage, for a Song

"It's a hard song to take out of context, and it gets a little pitchy at the end," said the Idol judge.

Is that Randy Jackson? Nope, it's Marin Mazzie, future Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, and one of the three judges of Broadway Idol Friday night at the New World Stages. Broadway Idol is just one of the numerous entertaining acts the New York Musical Theatre Festival has to offer.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival showcases over 30 full productions as well as countless special concerts and events-such as the Broadway Idol series and The Unauthorized Musicology of Ben Folds-during the entire month of September.

Since 2004 NYMF has been offering theater-goers an alternative to the Broadway stage. "I was kind of surprised that something like this didn't already exist in New York, it was kind of a no-brainer to me," said NYMF Director and Founder Kris Stewart.

Stewart recognizes the astronomical expense required to mount a Broadway production in New York today. (For instance Wicked, currently Broadway's highest grossing production, cost $14 million to produce.)

"I felt it was easy [for people in the business] to get to a certain point, reach a glass ceiling. It's very hard to get to a point after that. It's just so expensive," said Stewart.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival gives artists, musicians and directors a chance without all the monetary risks. Many producers attend NYMF productions, and each year a handful of these shows are selected to premiere at off-Broadway and regional theater venues. "All the NYMF shows run in the midtown theater district, so that makes them really accessible to the industry. It gives these guys a great opportunity for feedback," Stewart remarked.

It also allows audience members to see clever and provocative live dramas for a fraction of Broadway's ticket prices. Tickets to NYMF events are usually in the range of $10-25.

"Many young people don't have much cash, and can't spend that much on a Broadway show. I also don't think there are a lot of shows aimed for young audiences on Broadway," Stewart said while discussing the presence of an established, financially-stable theater crowd. "NYMF is a sort of special event; there are only six shows per musical. It really gives you the chance to feel like you're a part of something."

The Screams of Kitty Genovese
Theatre at St. Clement's
423 W. 46th St.
Tues., Sept. 26, 8 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 27, 1 p.m.
Thu., Sept. 28, 9 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 29, 1 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 30, 9 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 1, 3 p.m.

The Screams of Kitty Genovese is a chilling tale that takes a musical approach to investigating Genovese's murder and the crime's 38 witnesses. Based on a true story, this musical sheds new light on the bystander effect. With a score by Will Todd and libretto by David Simpatico, The Screams of Kitty Genovese is one of the more serious performances NYMF has to offer. "It's more shocking and exciting, and it's set in New York City," said Stewart.

J.O.B.: The Hip-Hopera
45th St. Theatre
354 W. 45th St.
Mon., Sept. 25, 8 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 27, 8 p.m.
Thu., Sept. 28, 4:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 29, 8 and 10:30 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 1, 1 p.m.

The Old Testament meets the 21st century, remixed and rapped in J.O.B., NYMF's newest "hip-hopera." It's the biblical Book of Job spun anew with all the politics and pop sensations of the music industry's corporate world. With characters such as MC Cain struggling against MC Abel, this show enjoyed successful runs in both Los Angeles and Toronto. The writers Jerome Sable and Eli Batalion have known each other since kindergarten and have been working as partners in writing and composing for the past 13 years. Their newest collaboration, J.O.B. The Hip-Hopera, hits the NYMF theater scene this week at the 45th Street Theatre.

Broadway Idol: Round Three
New World Stages
340 W. 50th St., between 8th and 9th Ave.
Fri, Sept. 29th 9:00 p.m.

It's the last in a series of three Broadway Idol competitions, which follow the format of the acclaimed American Idol. Broadway Idol producer Jaimie Mayer, a student in the producing program at Columbia's School of the Arts, organized the event and was there for the open call of over 300 people. This week the remaining three contestants will be required to sing two Broadway songs-"a song that made someone a star, and a song that they believe will make them a star," Mayer said. The panel of celebrity judges includes Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), Lillias White (The Life), Denis O'Hare (Garden State, Cabaret), and Cheyenne Jackson (All Shook Up). Audience members also have the opportunity to text in their votes. Ten dollars and a free drink-can't do much better than that in midtown.

Gutenberg! The Musical
Sage Theatre
711 Seventh Ave., 2nd floor
Mon., Sept. 25, 4:30 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 27, 8 p.m.
Thu., Sept. 28, 8 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 30, 1 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 30, 4:30 p.m.

In a way, he's the father of laptops, BlackBerrys, and even text messaging. In the show, more than five and a half centuries after Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, Bud Davenport and Doug Simon decide to pay tribute to the great man in the form of a musical. Written by Anthony King and Scott Brown, Gutenberg! The Musical! is the story of Davenport and Simon's attempts to bring Gutenberg's story to the Great White Way, albeit with only two actors and without knowledge of their subject, money, or even a producer. Christopher Fitzgerald (Wicked) and Jeremy Shamos (The Rivals) star in the zany two-act satire, replete with idiocy and trucker caps.

Free Preview Concert at Virgin Megastore
Times Square Virgin Megastore
Broadway between 45th and 46th sts.
Monday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m.

As Stephen Sondheim once said, "Spell it the long way! F-R-E-E!" That's right, NYMF offers its final free concert at Virgin Megastore in Times Square today. Starting at 5 p.m., this concert will feature music from The Night of the Hunter, The Man in My Head, J.O.B.: The Hip-Hopera, and Maria Maria and give you a taste of these larger productions with no money out of your pocket. Listen to a song from each show and get the backstage scoop on NYMF events and special promotions. Merchandise and tickets for future NYMF shows will also be available.