John Mulaney, Jordan Roth, Lisa Kron, and More Set for The 24 Hour Musicals

The 24 Hour Plays has announced plans for The 24 Hour Musicals. Presented in partnership with the Lillys, the event will pay homage to the women who are changing the landscape of American theater. The 24 Hour Musicals will take place on October 29 at Broadway's American Airlines Theatre.

The 24 Hour Musicals will feature four brand-new musicals written and performed in the span of just 24 hours. The initial list of talent includes composers Aimee Mann and Kirsten Childs, writers Ashley Nicole Black and Jonathan Marc Sherman, and performers including John Mulaney, Lea DeLaria, Kate Rockwell, and Jordan Roth.

The marathon process for The 24 Hour Musicals begins at 9pm the night before the performance. Writers, composers, directors, choreographers, actors, music directors, musicians, and production staff gather for an orientation in which they are asked to share one costume piece, one prop, a special skill, and to reveal something that they have always wanted to do onstage, as well as some singing and dancing. At 11pm, the composers and writers get to work crafting 15-20 minute musicals overnight; at 9am the next morning, the actors receive their roles, and the directors, choreographers, and musicians arrive to begin rehearsal. Less than 12 hours later, they must be ready to perform in front of a live audience.

Proceeds from The 24 Hour Musicals on Broadway benefit the Lillys' work supporting women in theater and promoting gender parity, as well as The 24 Hour Plays' programs.

Highlights of the Lillys' outstanding accomplishments and mission will be presented by a variety of individuals throughout the evening: Lynn Nottage will represent the Lorraine Hansberry statue, sculpted by Alison Saar; Lisa Kron will represent the National Count — the largest and only ongoing survey of who and what is being produced on our nation's stage; and others.

"The Lillys have become so much more than awards for women in theater," said the Lillys' executive director, Julia Jordan. "Our commissions, apprenticeships, the Lorraine Hansberry statue coming to Manhattan, our new critical review coming soon, and the National Count are changing the face of the American arts landscape. We are so grateful to The 24 Hour Plays for recognizing and supporting our work to bring gender and racial parity to the American theater. We are two like-minded organizations working together and getting results."