Following a series of sold-out performances and rave reviews at the Montréal Fringe Festival in summer 2018 (and a nomination for “Best English Production”), the cast and crew of “Kafka’s Metamorphosis: The Musical!” has been invited to be a part of the Developmental Reading Series at the 2019 New York Musical Festival (NYMF), which runs from July 8 to Aug. 4.
Written by Le Moyne Theatre Program Director Matt Chiorini with orchestrations and music direction by Le Moyne Assistant Professor Travis Newton with Assistant Director of Music Greg Giovanini on keyboard, the show features a cast of current students and recent alumni.
Considered to be the “Sundance Festival” for new musicals, the New York Musical Festival is a month-long celebration of new works and artists in the Theatre District area of New York City. Every year, 10 productions are chosen to be part of the Developmental Reading Series where they will present public performances and readings of the show for NYC-based dramaturgs, directors, and industry professionals for critique and feedback. Many of the previous participants in this series have gone on to present full productionson Broadway, off-Broadway, or in regional theatres.
The show was recently nominated for the coveted “Best English Production” award (the festival is bilingual), and was deemed a “must see” at the start of the festival by Cult MTL and WestmountMag. In addition to the performances in New York, the show will also perform this summer at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington D.C., the Auburn Public Theatre, the Palace Theatre in Hamilton, N.Y. and at the Albert Jewish Community Center in Albany.
Critics have been universal in their praise for the show, saying that the production "delivers in talent, sincerity and pizzazz” (Marilla Steuter-Martin, Broadway World) and is “A Joyous, Funny, Sad and Incredibly Versatile Show” (Jim Burke, Theatre Funhouse) whose “...Small troupe of artists...shines by the resourcefulness and versatility of its members” (Nadia Blostein, Montréal Rampage). The story is clever and the language delicious, the performers squash it with their singing and creativity, and on top of it all, you feel smart….This is professional Fringe and a must-see show.” (Janis Kirshner, Westmount Mag)
Learn more about the production here, including the show’s trailer and cast information.
Click here for the recent announcement of the 2019 NYMF line-up at BroadwayWorld.com. Faculty and student participation in the festival was supported in part by the Friends of the Arts Fund, the Research and Development Committee, the offices of the Provost and Dean of Arts and Sciences, and the O’Leary Fund for International Travel.