IN THE WORKS ~ IN THE WOODS Second Annual New Works Festival Comes to Forestburgh Playhouse in September

The festival runs September 8 - 11.

By: Aug. 15, 2022
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IN THE WORKS ~ IN THE WOODS Second Annual New Works Festival Comes to Forestburgh Playhouse in September

Ever wonder how new plays and musicals are born? Ever been curious about a playwright or a composer's process - or why they made the choices they did? If so, then In the Works~In the Woods at Forestburgh Playhouse is for you.

This year's Festival will take place from September 8 through 11, the announcement was made by Franklin Trapp, Producing Artistic Director for the Forestburgh Playhouse and Broadway veteran Matt Lenz, Festival Artistic Director and Director of Creative Development for the Forestburgh Playhouse.

"I'm thrilled and gratified to be a part of founding this exciting, annual theatrical event in the Sullivan Catskills," said Broadway veteran Matt Lenz. The artistic legacy in this neck of the woods is illustrious and diverse - and my hope is that the In the Works~In the Woods Festival will continue to celebrate and keep shining a light on that history for years to come. There is most definitely creativity in the DNA of these woods - so the bucolic Forestburgh Playhouse campus is the perfect home for this. It provides a gorgeous, inspiring environment for both established and emerging theatre-makers to explore and bring their new works to light."

Participants in this year's In the Works~In the Woods Festival:

Bottle Shock! The Musical (A new musical by James D. Sasser and Charles Vincent Burwell, directed by Jeremy Lapp with music direction by Vadim Feichtner). Based on the 2008 cult hit movie by Jody Savin & Randall Miller and Ross Schwartz, Bottle Shock! Is the story of the early days of Napa Valley winemaking and the 1976 "Judgment of Paris" wine tasting, when for the first time, California wines beat the French in a blind tasting and history was upended.

Outbound (A new play by Caitlin Collins and directed by Joan Sergay). Iris feels lost in her call-center job, until she lands on the phone with Shelly - a young widow who happens to live in a small-town Iris has a connection to. The women's journeys intertwine in an exploration, loss, belonging, isolation and resilience.

Gordon Gets Down! (a new musical comedy for young audiences by Caleb Damschroeder and Matthew Ravey). It's Martha Gruffington Day at Sunny Creek Goat Farm! While preparing for the farm's annual line dance, Gordon discovers he's got 4 left hooves. With a little self-discovery, a lot of love and a few songs along the way, Gordon is sure to find the right moves!

CATSKILLS CAB LAB - Alan Muraoka and Scott Evans will develop and direct 2 unique, solo musical cabaret evenings featuring emerging cabaret stars Marrick Smith and Ariana Valdes.

Special Events Include:

A reading of a new play with music, Walking With Bubbles, written and performed by Broadway's Jessica Hendy (Aida, Cats) and featuring original songs by Brianna Barnes (2021 Jonathan Larson Finalist).

Off the Cuff-Conversations with celebrated writers and theatre insiders including acclaimed playwright and drag legend, Charles Busch, director and longtime collaborator with Busch, Carl Andress, preeminent casting director, Rachel Hoffman and more! prominent theatre professionals in impromptu discussions about their careers and the creative process.

Become A Member - Forestburgh Playhouse is offering three different passport memberships to the Festival: Festival Fan: $150 (Individual), Festival Friends: $500 (2 Passes) and Festival Founder VIP: $1000 (2 Passes). Day passes and tickets to individual shows will also be available. For more information: www.fbplayhouse.org or by calling 845-794-1194.

The In the Works~In the Woods Festival Advisory Committee includes Scott Evans (Actor/Director), Robin Levine (Director), Cori Thomas (Playwright), Banji Aborisade (Director/Choreographer), Jillian Carucci (Director), Alan Muraoka (Actor/Director), Ana Flavia Zuim (Musical Director/Conductor), Anthony C. Daniel (Director/Associate Festival Director), Valentina Fratti (Director/Producer), Franklin Trapp (FBP Producing, Artistic Director) and Matt Lenz (ITW Festival Artistic Director).

Major sponsors of In the Works ~ In the Woods are Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, Roscoe Beer, Do Good Spirits and Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.




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