Since 2013, more or less annually, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has invited new musical theatre writers, composers, and actors to Across A Crowded Room–a musical theatre incubator where strangers meet and write musicals together.  There is perhaps nothing more clichéd at this point than to note how unusual the past 12 months have been, but early in the pandemic it became clear there was interest in continuing the series in 2020, even in a modified way. Last year seven groups created new 20 minute musicals with the feedback from experts in the industry. The teams presented their final work, not on the stage of the Bruno Walter Auditorium as is the recent custom, but via pre-recorded videos produced for a special Zoom event. Today, we present those eight performances for the world to see. It was a difficult year in many respects, but the quality of the work created this year is among the best I have seen in the seven years of the program. Enjoy the 2020 Across A Crowded Room Playlist!

The Carousel of Inevitability and Certain Foreboding

Book: Gil Varod
Lyrics: A. J. Freeman
Music: Jonathan Lynch

Jimmy/Timmy: Kelly Autry
Donna/Anna: A. J. Freeman
Walt: Rick Negron
Jimmy Jr.: Kennedy Kanagawa
Stage Directions: Jennifer Blom

What's Her Line?

Book and Lyrics: A. J. Freeman
Music: Derrick Byars

Dorothy Kilgallen: Bex Odorisio
John Daly: Sam Balzac
Guest #1: Bill Dyszel
Guest #2: Laura Cetti
Bennett Cerf: Eric Grunin
Arlene Francis: A. J. Freeman
The Jingle Gal: Hannah Eakin
The Announcer: Jon Hugo Ungar

Also featuring: Jennifer Blom, Anthony Castellano, Caitlin Collins, Jared Corak, Alina Gatrell, Sonya Hayden, Kate Leonard, Ron Passaro, Kathleen Payne, Aliza Rabin, Daniel Sefik, Rachel Sklar, and Ruby Sklar

Garden of Alla

Books and Lyrics by Jacob Iglitzin
Music by Natan Zamansky

Alla Nazimova: Amy Maude Helfer
Charles Bryant: Daniel Kamlić
Natacha Rambova: Autumn Hitt
Rudolph Valentino: Anthony Castellano
Marjorie Gilhoolet: Juliana Tassos
Accompanist: Mary Taft

Rejected

Book and Lyrics by Briana Harris
Music and Lyrics by Andi Lee Carter

Francis X. Flack: Shakira Searle
Director Krimsky: Tony Perry
Leo Eckman/Half-Bull-Half-Horse: Doug Shapiro
E.L. Fincher/Seven-Legged Goat: Joanie Drago
Lila Bryne/Three-Legged Cat: Dana Aber
Chico: Himself

Directed by Dev Bondarin
Audio Mixing by Anthony Spinnato
Editing by Andi Lee Carter

Forever and a Day

Book and Lyrics by Marcus Scott
Music by Steven Silverstein

Corey: Cartreze Tucker
Dakota: Emma Claye
Dimitri: Gheremi Clay
Corey’s Mom: LaDonna Burns
News Reporter: Karen Pangantihon

Directed by Dev Bondarin
Video Editing and Sound Mixing by Micah Joel
SFX courtesy of freesound.org/people/RSilveira_88

DoubleDouble

Words by Seth Christenfeld and A. J. Freeman
Music by Eric Grunin

Carla: Caitlin Gallogly
Carole: A. J. Freeman 
Jerry: Sam Balzac
Tom: Brian Charles Rooney
Michael: Sean Doherty

Aramaic translations by Pascale Asmar
Photographs by Larry Racioppo (1974)

Feverdreams: Part One (Abridged)

Book by Justin Schwartz
Lyrics by Kara Cutruzzula
Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Alexander Anderson: Cory Jeacoma
Ann Van Vleck: Samantha Massell
Sarah Anderson: Sandy York
John Anderson, Jr./Hanover: Jackson Knight Pierce
Emily: Lindsay Fabes

Video edited by Justin Schwartz

The Subway Enthusiast

Book, music, and lyrics by Kathleen Payne

Roddy: Anthony Castellano
Passenger #1/Mom: Laura Cetti
Friend/Teacher/Motorman: Jennifer Koontz
Announcer/Conductor: Kathleen Payne

Music Arranger and Pianist: Cynthia Hilts