NEXT FESTIVAL 2019
July 6-22
CLOSED JULY 22
Ritz Theater
The NEXT Festival is Theater Latté Da’s New Work Festival showcasing diverse voices and explores the possibilities of musical theater. Each show in the Festival receives public presentations providing audience members the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the creative process. Following each presentation is an in-depth conversation with the playwrights, composers, and lyricists. Be a part of Theater Latté Da’s commitment to the next generation of the Great American Musical.
HALF THE SKY
Music by Tidtaya Sinutoke
Book and lyrics by Isabella Dawis
Directed by Desdemona Chiang
Music Direction by Robert Frost
Commissioned by The 5th Avenue Theatre’s First Draft: Raise Your Voice program
Featuring: Stephanie Bertumen, Johann George, Janet Hansen, Suzie Juul, Brian Kim, Meghan Kreidler, and Sara Ochs
Public Presentations:
Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 7:30pm
Monday, July 8, 2018 at 7:30pm
A Thai-American woman sets out to fulfill her dream of summiting Mount Everest in the company of a precocious teenage Sherpa and other hopeful mountaineers from around the world. A contemporary musical theatre score infused with the sounds of traditional Thai and Himalayan folk music underscores a young woman’s journey of personal growth.
LISTEN NOW!
Hear “Outside” from HALF THE SKY
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
By Dylan Thomas
Composed by Cerys Matthews and Mason Neely
Directed by Larissa Kokernot and Peter Rothstein
Music Direction and Arrangements by Jason Hansen
Featuring: Joy Dolo, Bradley Greenwald, Molly Sioux McDonald, Dan Piering, Jon-Michael Reese, and Matt Riehle
Public Presentations:
Saturday, July 13 at 4:30pm
Monday, July 15 at 7:30pm
Working from Dylan Thomas’ beloved story of boyhood Christmases, and Welsh winters, and singer/songwriter Cerys Matthews’ lush orchestral score, Theater Latté Da creates a rollicking celebration of holiday memories.
LISTEN NOW!
Hear “A Child’s Christmas Theme” from A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
TWELVE ANGRY MEN
Adapted from the play by Reginald Rose
Music and Lyrics by Michael Holland
Book by David Simpatico
Directed by Peter Rothstein
Music Direction by Denise Prosek
Featuring: Sasha Andreev, Mark Benninghofen, James Detmar, Bradley Greenwald, Brian Kim, Riley McNutt, Jon-Michael Reese, Matt Riehle, James Rodriquez, André Shoals, Joe Nathan Thomas, and David Young.
Public Presentations:
Saturday, July 20 at 7:30pm
Monday, July 22 at 7:30pm
In a small New York City jury room, on “the hottest day of the year,” twelve men debate the fate of a young defendant charged with murder. With a propulsive, jazz-infused score, this timely look at race, class and masculinity celebrates the power of raising your voice in the name of justice. A new musical adaptation of an American classic.
