Hip new musicals, happening artists heat up Goodspeed Jan. 18

PRIME January 2013 EAST HADDAM, Conn. – The eighth annual Goodspeed Festival of New Artists, produced by Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre, kicks off its tremendously popular three-day festival of brand new works on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Goodspeed Opera House with a staged reading of "Nine Wives." On Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., the rocking new musical "Come From Away" debuts. On the final day of the festival, the unconventional tale "Princesses: a New Rock Musical" will be presented at 1 p.m. Several special events will round out this exciting weekend. Tickets and Festival Packages are available at the Goodspeed Box Office or by calling 860-873-8668. Tickets are $15 each for one show, $10 each for students and can be purchased online at www.goodspeed.org as well as through the Box Office. The 2013 festival is sponsored in part by the No l Coward Foundation, lead corporate sponsor RisCassi & Davis, P.C. and The Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation Inc. This year, Goodspeed's ever-popular Festival Package has been expanded. The Gold Package is an all-access pass that includes admission to all three staged readings; the ultra-popular Friday and Saturday Night Cabarets; the New Musical Preview, a short preview of a new musical headed to The Norma Terris Theatre in 2013; the Symposium panel discussion with musical theatre luminaries; a choice of festival seminar sessions; a Saturday evening pre-show dinner at the Gelston House and a Meet the Writers Reception – for $89. The Silver Package includes admission to all three staged readings, the Symposium, The New Musical Preview and Meet the Writers Reception, for $69. Also included in both Festival Packages is a tour of the expansive Goodspeed Scene Shops. Goodspeed Opera House tours will be offered throughout the weekend for both Festival Package and single ticket holders. "The eighth annual Goodspeed Festival of New Artists, with its expanded programs and wonderful new talents, highlights our commitment to developing new musicals," Michael P. Price, executive director of Goodspeed Musicals, said. "It's thrilling for us to see the Goodspeed campus bustling in wintertime. Our community comes alive when hundreds of musical theatre fans from around the country join the best and brightest new writers and performers as they work together to create the future of musical theatre." Productions from the three composing teams included in the Goodspeed Festival of New Artists and the schedule of Special Events include the events listed below: On Jan. 18, "Nine Wives," at 7:30 p.m., at the Goodspeed Opera House. Based on the novel, "Nine Wives" by Dan Elish, the play tells the story of Henry Mann, a 32-year-old bachelor who discovers that the love of his life has met someone new and is about to get married. What's worse, he's been invited to her wedding! What follows are Henry's frantic attempts to find a woman he can take as his date – a potential future wife – to prove to his ex-fianc e (and the world) that he too is ready to move on. Jan 18 at 10 p.m., Festival Cabaret at Gelston House, showcasing new songs by new artists. Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., the Gelston House hosts festival seminars. Jan. 19 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., the New Musical Preview takes place at the Goodspeed Opera House. Get a sneak peak at a new musical headed to Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in 2013 Jan. 19 at 4 p.m., the No l Coward Symposium takes place at the Goodspeed Opera House. This event is free and open to the public. Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Festival Dinner at Gelston House. Enjoy a three-course meal with fellow festival goers. Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., the rocking new musical, "Come From Away" premiers at the Goodspeed Opera House. "Come From Away" is a rocking musical about when 38 planes from around the world were diverted to a small, Canadian community on Sept. 11, 2001 – doubling its population in an instant. While the world witnessed the worst acts of humankind, the stranded passengers had their faith in humanity restored by the spirited people who comforted those who had come from away. Jan. 19 at 10 p.m., Festival Cabaret at Gelston House, showcasing new songs by new artists. Jan. 20 at 1 p.m., the premiere of "Princesses: A New Rock Musical" at the Goodspeed Opera House. Four outrageous princesses escape the confines of their castle walls and shock the fairy tale world with their unconventional ways. "Princesses" is inspired by the Brothers Grimm's "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" and features a contemporary rock score. Jan. 20 at 3:30 p.m., a "Meet the Writers Reception" will take place at Gelston House. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash bar. Lodging and dining information for Festival attendees as well as up-to-date information on the weekend's events may be found at www.goodspeed.org.