Episode 27 - Backstage at NAMT Part 1 featuring FINN, Love is Dead, Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s), and Particle

Update: 2025-12-02

Description

Welcome to a very special episode of Backstage Pass. We recently attended the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 37th Annual Festival of New Musicals in New York City, and have created a podcast experience that will make you feel like you’re right there with us!

Each year, the NAMT festival shares 45 minute preview performances of 8 new musicals in development. This episode features conversations with NAMT’s New Works Director Frankie Dailey, and 4 of the 8 shows in this year’s festival: FINN by Chris Nee, Chris Dimond, & Michael Kooman, Love is Dead by Brett Ryback and Jeff Lupino-Esposito, Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s) by Kevin Wong and Particle by Selda Sahin, Autumn Reeser and Derek Gregor. Tune in next week to hear the other 4 shows!

We also share demo recordings of a song from each of these musicals so you can get a taste of the music from each show.

From FINN you’ll hear “Sparkle and Shine” performed by Zachary Noah Piser. From Love is Dead you’ll hear “Fully Formed” performed by Lana McKissack. From Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s), you’ll hear the song “Invincible” performed by Jonathan Tan. And from Particle you’ll hear "Meet Your Heroes" sung by Gabe Violett.

We also interviewed Sonya Hayden and Matthew Lowy who were featured in NAMT’s College Road Trip program, which shines a spotlight on university theatre programs that develop new musicals. Their musical, Taking Off! was recently developed at Michigan State University and an excerpt of the show was performed at the Festival of New Musicals.

You can hear their song, “Ready for the World” at the end of the episode performed by Sonya Hayden.

Check out Part 2 next week to hear interviews with the other NAMT writers, as well as more bonus content from musical theatre creators who were present at the festival.

Connect with NAMT:

Website: https://namt.org

Instagram: @namt_org

Connect with New York Theatre Barn: