September 2, 2008 - The New York Musical Theatre Festival will play its fifth season in midtown Manhattan from September 15 to October 5.

Hailed by Time Out New York as the “Sundance for musical theater,” the New York Musical Theatre Festival is a three-week showcase of the hottest emerging talent in musicals. From September 15 to October 5, NYMF will present more than thirty original and innovative new productions, as well as concerts, special events, and the NYMF @ Nite after-hours series, which includes the Broadway Prom party and the popular NYMF’s Next Broadway Sensation singing competition. The Festival’s diverse programming ensures there’s something for everyone – from traditional Broadway musical comedies to hip hop to edgy rock dramas and more.

As the largest musical theatre event of its kind in the world, NYMF has served as a launching pad for successes like Altar Boyz, Gutenberg! The Musical, and [title of show]. Highlights for 2008 include Chicago Tap Theatre’s superhero tap dance opera The Hourglass and the Poisoned Pen, a CD release party/concert by acclaimed singer/songwriter Jill Sobule, and Bonnie & Clyde: A Folktale, a new musical written by Tony-nominated actor Hunter Foster. The theatre world’s brightest talents will also be performing in many NYMF casts, including Josh Strickland ("American Idol," Tarzan) in Play It Cool, Tony-award winner Cady Huffman (The Producers) in Wood, and Jim J. Bullock (“Too Close For Comfort,” Hairspray) in The Fancy Boys Follies.

Individual festival tickets are $20. For further information, visit www.nymf.org or call 212-352-3101.