Country Teamwork - Stage Directions Magazine

Seth WaltersFeatureAnthony Rapp, original cast member of RENT, turned his memoirs into a musical called Without You for the 2010 New York Musical Theatre Festival.founders Marcia Seligson and Bob Klein realized audienceswere hungry for new musicals.Klein remembers his words to the Board: “Musical theatre iscoming back…and we want everybody involved: big theatres,small theatres, colleges, high schools. We want everyone whostands up and hoofs.”During a production of Pippin, its composer, StephenSchwartz, came to L.A. to meet Klein and Seligson for lunchwith ASCAP’s head of musical theatre, Michael Kerker. Schwartzand Kerker liked the idea and in2008, the Festival of New AmericanMusicals was born.The summer-long festival featuresevents such as the ASCAPSongwriters Showcase and Cabaretevenings. FNAM also has a strongcommitment to promoting thecreation of new musicals even inelementary and high schools.As for the Musical Theatre scenein California, Klein says, “It’s allincredible, without being competitivewith New York at all. Broadwaywill always be Broadway... You neverknow where the magic is going tostrike—never… A moment, a show,a performance can absolutely knockthe props right out from under you.We are happy to say that southern California is now a hotbedof new musical theatre.”Klein also mentions, “We don’t produce, we present.” IfFNAM likes a composer’s show, they forward the show to alocal California group to flesh out the cast.FNAM welcomes all kinds of musical show styles. “We haveno restrictions. We love what’s new and contemporary. We lovewhat’s traditional, musical and gorgeous. We love it all. Andthere’s a place for it all. I would say if we are looking for any-