O'Neill Music Theater Conference Kicks Off with Readings

The O'Neill Center's National Music Theater Conference, under the artistic direction of Paulette Haupt, kicks off during the week of June 17 with the readings of two new works.

When We Met, book by Dan Collins; music and lyrics by Julianne Wick Davis, will show Wed., June 20 at 8pm, Fri., June 22 at 7pm, and Sun., June 24 at 3pm. String, book written by Sarah Hammond with lyrics and music by Adam Gwon, will perform Sat., June 23 at 8pm and Sun. June 24 at 7pm.

Theatermakers, the six-week summer intensive of the National Theater Institute, will present their first work on Monday, June 18 at 7pm. The performance is free and open to the public.

When We Met tells the story of two comfortably single, middle-aged people who reluctantly meet on a blind date, struggling to understand one of the greatest intangibles of all: love. The musical is directed by Sheryl Kaller with music direction by Matt Castle, and features Sally Wilfert and Michael Winther.

Directed by Mike Donahue with music direction by Ray Fellman, String is an original musical about the three fates in the modern city. A workaholic Greek god gets tangled up with a security guard in the basement of the tallest building in the world, and divinity and humanity became tangled in a web of fate. Featuring performances from Jill Abramovitz, Joe Cassidy, Amanda Jane Cooper, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, Ryan Link, Margot Seibert, Jason Tam, Katie Thompson, Price Waldman, and Betsy Wolfe.

This week’s Theatermakers performance will be a reading of original work created by the students over the period of three days. Students in the program write, direct, and act during their six-week tenure showcasing their work with free public performances.

All performances take place at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT 06385. Schedule is subject to change. Tickets for the National Music Theater Conference performances may be purchased online at www.theoneill.org or through the box office at (860) 443-1238.