Daniel Reichard will host The New York Musical Theatre Festival's second annual Broadway Battle of the Bands competition, at The Zipper Factory, May 17 at 10:30pm.

This informal smackdown between bands is comprised of Broadway and Off-Broadway actors, writers, and musicians. The concert will kick off NYMF's Next Link Launch Party Weekend, in preparation for the festival which will run September 15-October 5.

As previously announced, the line-up will feature the pop/rock/funk/R&B stylings of Anthony Rapp (Rent) and his band Albinokid (David Matos, Pete Asirisi, Paul Gil and Dan Weiss); Lauren Pritchard (Spring Awakening) playing original pop songs from her forthcoming album for Sony/BMG Records; The Fabulous Entourage (OBIE-winning playwright Kyle Jarrow, director Travis Chamberlain, actors Libby Winters, Perry Silver, and Jimmy Owens); singer/songwriter Kacie Sheik (sister to Tony Award Winner Duncan Sheik), who starred in the West End's We Will Rock You; Chester Gregory II (Cry-Baby) and his band Ancestree (Dave Cook, Deonte' Larry, D-Flat, Phil, Big C & Romel Veal); and Groovelily, featuring Valerie Vigoda, Brendan Milburn, and Gene Lewin.

For more information, visit www.nymf.org.