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What's it all about?

At present, revivals of standard American musicals typically fill the seats in local area theaters; opportunities to see Grease or Annie or Oklahoma are plentiful in Suffolk and Nassau counties. But local audiences rarely get the chance to see musical plays that are not already in the popular repertory. And the chance to meet with, to question, and to offer feedback to the artists about original musicals has not been available to Long Island audiences.

“The New Musicals Project” presents work-in-progress performances and events. The essence of theater is the collaborative process, and through after-the-show discussions, audiences have a chance to question the artists and to share their responses to these original works.



Howard Beckerman is interviewed by Lyn Brown in a TV appearance on Fox News GOOD DAY NY. The cast performs Howard's song “I Like to Be Afraid” from the original children’s musical Halloween at Belvedere, commissioned by the Central Park Conservancy.
New musicals in development: Married in the Suburbs is a Long-Island-themed show that was first presented at Huntington Town Hall in 2001. Dance with Me!/¡Baila Conmigo! is a bilingual musical. Kidding Around is an interactive musical comedy for children. The Seduction of Judith is an experimental work by Linda Beckerman and Howard Beckerman.

“The New Musicals Project” participants include a Long Island company of veteran musical theater performers, directors, producers, composers, lyricists, playwrights, emerging artists, educators, consultants, and audiences.

As we grow, we will continue to solicit new musicals by Long Island theater composers, lyricists, and playwrights for development and workshop performances. The American musical has been a unique contribution to the world of theater arts. “The New Musicals Project” builds on that tradition and nurture this art form on Long Island. Our audiences will have the opportunity to offer their input and help shape a new generation of American musicals.