Theatre Aquarius reveals inaugural selections for National Centre for New Musicals
iPhoto caption: A graphic for the National Centre for New Musicals at Theatre Aquarius.
Theatre Aquaruis has announced the 2024-2025 selections for its National Centre for New Musicals (NCNM).
Following a request for submissions that drew over 260 applications, the curatorial committee has selected five works for support: four in the development phase, and one in the incubation phase.
“The inaugural NCNM group of artists is comprised of exciting musical theatre writers championing a diverse and compelling collection of stories,” co-chair Michael Rubinoff said in a press release. “I am eagerly looking forward to the NCNM playing a significant role in developing these new works and launching them to stages at home and around the world, bringing these unique and powerful narratives to life.”
“We thought we were looking for two to three pieces,” added artistic director Mary Francis Moore. “With the volume of applications and calibre of talent we’ve seen, we are delighted to announce that we’ve expanded to five works.”
A full press release is available on the Theatre Aquarius website.
The Pryce Academy (in development)
Book, music, and lyrics by Mazin Elsadig and Philip McKee
Additional music by Juan Ayala and Jennifer Ayala
A group of idealistic students put on a musical to expose the founder of their private school, who made his fortune on plantations in the 19th century.
Out (in development)
Book by Kalos Chu
Music by Ian Chan
Lyrics by JuHye Mun
A coming-of-age dramedy that brings together the stories of three queer Asian kids in their mid-20s.
The 7 Fires (in development)
Book by Dillan Chiblow
Music by Landon Doak
Lyrics by Landon Doak with Dillan Chiblow
Inspired by the Anishinaabe Seven Fire prophecy, seven strangers meet in the woods, where they receive dreams from their Ancestors.
Clown Riot (in development)
Story by Christo Graham and Tyrone Savage
Music and lyrics by Christo Graham
Clown Riot is a rock opera based on the true Toronto story of a travelling circus, a crew of local firefighters, and an 11-year-old boy caught between worlds.
Limerick Gaolbreak (in incubation)
Book by Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson
Music by Mike Ross
Lyrics by Sarah Wilson
Inspired by the true story of a 19th-century prison escape in Ireland, Limerick Gaolbreak is the true-ish story of nine women who hatch a plan to sing their way to freedom.
Aisling Murphy
Aisling is Intermission's senior editor and an award-winning arts journalist with bylines including the Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, CBC Arts, CTV News Toronto, and Maclean's. She likes British playwright Sarah Kane, most songs by Taylor Swift, and her cats, Fig and June. She was a 2024 fellow at the National Critics Institute in Waterford, CT.
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