NYMF Announces 2008 Awards for Excellence

The New York Musical Theatre Festival has announced the 2008 recipients of its Awards for Excellence, which will be presented at NYMF’s fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala, at The Hudson Theatre, Sunday, November 2.

Bonnie & Clyde: A Folktale, by Rick Crom and Hunter Foster, was named “Most Promising New Musical,” and also received the “Excellence in Writing (Music)” award.
The Jerusalem Syndrome by Laurence Holzman, Felicia Needleman and Kyle Rosen received the “Theater for the American Musical Prize in support of promising new American book musicals,” while the award for “Excellence In Writing (Lyrics)” went to Drew Fornarola & Scott Elmegreen for College the Musical.

“Excellence In Writing (Book)” was awarded to Megan Gogerty for Love Jerry, which also won for “Outstanding Ensemble Performance” as well as individual performers Donna Lynne Champlin and Harris Doran. Matt Lenz received the “Excellence in Direction” award for Idaho!, by Buddy Sheffield and Keith Thompson, which also took the “Best of Fest Audience Prize,” and “Excellence in Overall Design.” “Excellence In Choreography” went to Matt Williams for Ward 9.

Additional performers who received individual citations include Celina Carvajal (Bedbugs!!!), Chuck Cooper (Twilight in Manchego), Jodi Langel (I Come For Love), Heather Laws (She Can’t Believe She Said That!), Sally Mayes (Play It Cool), Caroline O’Connor (The Hatpin), Brian Charles Rooney (Bedbugs!!!), Josh Strickland (Play It Cool), Barbara Walsh (About Face), and Kate Wetherhead (Wood).

The 2008 Awards jury was comprised of TheaterMania’s managing editor Dan Bacalzo, Michael Berresse, Marc Bruni, Amanda Charlton, Michael Dale, Frank Evans, TheaterMania contributor Peter Filichia, Jena Tesse Fox, Tim Jerome, Noel Katz, Clifford Lee Johnson III, TheaterMania contributor Patrick Lee, Michelle Pawk, and Susan Vargo.

For additional details on the NYMF Gala, click here.