First cast announced for the 38th Festival of New Musicals: Ephraim Sykes, Samantha Pauly and Christiani Pitts at New World Stages

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has unveiled the initial cast for the 38th annual Festival of New Musicals, taking place Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23, at New World Stages in New York City. The artist lineup includes well-known Broadway names such as Ephraim Sykes — a Tony nominee for his role as David Ruffin in “Ain’t Too Proud” — Samantha Pauly and Christiani Pitts.

The initial company also includes Joan Almedilla, Leanne J. Antonio, Brandon Mel Borkowsky, Alaman Diadhiou, Jared Howelton, MaryAnn Hu, Keziah John-Paul, Rajané Katurah, Marina Kondo, Rohan Kymal, JD Mollison, Andrew Mueller, Mia Pak, Heath Saunders, Saum Seyed, Kay Sibal, Kuhoo Verma, Alex Weisman, Alex Wyse and Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama. The final cast will be announced later; the festival’s casting director is Michael Cassara, CSA.

This year the festival presents eight new musicals in 45-minute concerts, selected by a committee of 21 theatre professionals from 518 submissions: “Black Girl in Paris,” “BLUDLINE: A Hip-Hop Odyssey,” “The (Disaster) Marathon of 1904,” “Fouad of Nazareth,” “How to Play the Cello (Until You Don’t),” “Love of a Lifetime,” “The Ramayan” and “Sunwatcher.”

The festival, now in its 38th year, is aimed at industry professionals — producers, investors and artistic directors — and to date has presented more than 300 musicals and 600 writers. According to NAMT, more than 90% of the festival’s shows have gone on to receive readings, workshops, productions or tours. Among the titles once discovered at this festival are “Come From Away,” “Lempicka,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Teeth,” “WANTED” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

The event takes place at New World Stages, the theatre complex in the heart of Manhattan, and registration is open to industry members; the general public is offered free seats, first come, first served.

Source: BroadwayWorld