The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced the new musicals that will be presented during the 34th annual Festival of New Musicals, which will return to Off-Broadway's New World Stages October 20 and 21 with in-person performances.

Eight new musicals will be presented in concert formats across the two-day festival, each lasting 45 minutes. All production costs are covered by NAMT. A committee consisting of 17 theatre professionals selected this year's offerings from 480 submissions, the largest submission pool in the festival's history.

In a statement, Executive Director Betsy King Militello said, "After three years away from live Festival presentations, we can’t wait to welcome eight amazing writing teams from across the USA and Canada to New World Stages in New York City this fall! We were inspired by breadth, depth, and scope of the record-shattering 480 submissions we received and are thrilled to introduce the eight selected shows to the musical theatre field in October."

The musicals chosen for this years festival are Baked! The Musical (book, music, and lyrics by Jord Liu and Deepak Kumar), Blackout (book by Steven Gallagher, music and lyrics by Anton Lipovetsky), Get Out Alive (book and lyrics by Nikki Lynette, music by Lynette, Matt Hennessy, Clay Bail, Malcom Fong, Slavic Livins, and Zeke Macumber), King of Pangaea (book, music, and lyrics by Martin Storrow), Perpetual Sunshine & the Ghost Girls (book and lyrics by Sara Cooper, music by Lynne Shankel), Pup! A Chew Story (book and lyrics by Marcus Terrell Smith, music by Robin Schäfer), The Female Pope (music by Heather Christian, lyrics and libretto by Shannon Burkett), and The Pelican (book and lyrics by Will Lacker, music and lyrics by Dylan Glatthorn).

Casting and production details for each musical will be released at a later date.

The Festival of New Musicals has introduced nearly 300 musicals and more than 500 writers in its 34-year history. More than 85% of shows presented have gone on to subsequent readings, workshops, productions, or tours; been licensed; and/or recorded on cast albums. Past offerings include Come From Away, Lempicka, The Drowsy Chaperone, Lizard Boy, Benny & Joon, Darling Grenadine, Ordinary Days, Striking 12, It Shoulda Been You, Interstate, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Registration for industry members is free and now open at namt.org. The public can also receive passes to the Festival through a direct donation to NAMT. Day-of standby tickets may be released depending on availability.

The Musical Stage Company gave Blackout its world premiere in the summer of 2021 as part of Canadian Stage’s Dream in High Park.

On August 14th, 2003, Toronto was sent into chaos when the largest blackout in Canadian history left millions stranded in the dark and unable to reach or connect with their loved ones.

Inspired by real events, BLACKOUT depicts three stories of connection that unfolded when the city was dark, and strangers banded together to find the light. A preview production of a new Canadian musical by two of Canada’s most exciting voices, Blackout is a story of hope, resilience, and community.

Originally developed through The Musical Stage Company’s innovative musical development initiative Launch Pad, a selection of this new work was first seen in 2019 as part of REPRINT.

The cast featured Brandon Antonio, Michael de Rose, Chilina Kennedy, Rami Khan, Germaine Konji, Yemie Sonuga, Jonathan Winsby and Synthia Yusuf, with direction by Ann Hodges and musical direction by Wayne Gwillim.

From Margaret Hall for playbill.com and Canadian Stage.