The Penn State New Musical Theatre Festival launches its third fall season on December 12, 2009 closing the School of Theatre’s Fall Festival. A new work performed by BFA Musical Theatre junior class members at the Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA. The purpose of the festival is to promote new works of musical theatre in a creative, educational and theatrical environment. The new work of musical theatre has one semester of rehearsal culminating in two performances (free to the public) in a fully staged format. The composers and lyricist will be in residence at Penn State University Park throughout the semester working with BFA juniors and musical theatre faculty in this creative process. The work chosen for the 2009 Fall Festival is:
DANI GIRL
Michael Kooman music
Christopher Diamond lyrics
Robert Schneider director
Dan Riddle musical director
Dani Girl is the touching story of nine year old Dani who has just been stricken with cancer. Vowing to not go gently into that good night, Dani travels on a quest to ask God “Why is cancer?” Hilarious, touching and, most of all, life affirming, Dani Girl reminds us that the greatest weapon against our own mortality is our own imaginations.
