On Monday, July 9, the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) celebrated its opening night with a gala at Hudson Terrace, hosted by Tony Award winner Ben Vereen.

Other guests included Corbin Bleu, director Stafford Arima, Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba, singer Ari Gold, and NYMF participants Peter Cincotti (How Deep Is the Ocean?), Sheryl Lee Ralph (It's On), Jose Llana (Prison Dancer: The Musical) and Natalie Toro (Zapata! The Musical), and Melissa Van der Schyff (Baby Case). .

NYMF will run through July 29 with a full slate of musicals, special events and concerts. In addition, there is a full slate of free events, including 12 staged readings and several educational panel discussions.

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