I went to my very first National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) Festival of New Musicals earlier this month (October 8-9) at New World Stages. This is an industry event where producers, directors, general managers, &c come from all over the country, representing regional theatres or as independents to see 45 minute presentations from eight new musicals that have been selected by NAMT. Each show is presented twice to give everyone a chance to see every show.

In addition, NAMT presents the Songwriter Showcase on the Sunday night which profiles one song each from a number of new musicals and writing teams who aren't in that year's festival. This year's showcase was hosted by Rebecca Luker (who I saw in THE MUSIC MAN and who will be Mrs Banks in MARY POPPINS this fall) and the hilarious Richard Kind (who I saw as Max in THE PRODUCERS). The Songwriter Showcase was produced by Jayson Raitt and directed by Dan Fields and featured songs by:

Scott Logsdon and Steve Marzullo
Adam Gwon
Chay Yew and Fabian Obispo
Barbara Anselmi and Carla Rose Arnone
Robert Maddock and Reza Jacobs
David A. Austin
Eleanor Albano, Anthony Barnao and Ron Abel
Neil Bartram
David Howard and Bret Simmons
Margaret Dorn and Janie Barnett

The highlight (for me) of the Songwriter Showcase was the presentation of the song "Mrs. Remington" from THE STORY OF MY LIFE, with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and Book by Brian Hill. This show is being produced at Canstage in Toronto in November, starring Brent Carver and Jeffrey Kuhn.

From the program:

THE STORY OF MY LIFE
Thomas and Alvin were inseparable as boys until adulthood sent them in different directions. When Alvin takes his life, Thomas is left with the conflicting needs to celebrate his friend's life and understand his death. This one act, two character musical is a tender celebration of lifelong friends and the power of a friendship that can tie two people together forever.

"Mrs. Remington" is a beautifully written story song about how the two boys first met in Grade One during the Hallowe'en costume parade. This song lead the audience by the nose all through the song, making us laugh and tear up, right up until the killer ending. I won't spoil it and go into great detail, but Mrs. Remington is the beloved Grade One teacher who brings the two boys together. The song was performed by Christopher Fitzgerald who was absolutely mesmerizing. I saw him as Boc in WICKED, and he was also amazing in GUTENBERG -- THE MUSICAL!

I definitely want to go see this show now!

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