Baz Luhrmann Named Honorary Chairman of New York Musical Theatre Festival

Award-winning film and theater director Baz Luhrmann has been named the honorary chairman of the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), and will host the seventh annual season opening night and teach a master class on musical theatre in film, during the festival.

NYMF, which runs September 27-October 17, will feature 27 musical productions, a developmental reading series and special events. For a full list of events, see TheaterMania’s previous story.

The master class with Luhrmann will be held on September 30 at a time and location to be announced. The event will feature clips from his works, and include a discussion about musical theatre performance for stage and screen, the challenges in making a “contemporary” adaptation, and other insights into his creative process. The class is free for all NYMF Patrons, Diamond and Platinum members, as well as for high school and college students by invitation. A limited number of public tickets will also be made available.

Luhrmann received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his direction of the 2003 Broadway production of La Bohème. His numerous film credits include Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and Australia.