
“Crossing Swords” and “Volleygirls” were the biggest award-winners in the 10th annual New York Musical Theater Festival.
“Crossing Swords,” a musical with book, music and lyrics by Joe Slabe that tells an updated high school version of Cyrano de Bergerac, won five awards, including Theater for the American Musical Prize:
“Volleygirls,” a musical starring Susan Blackwell about a volleyball team, won three awards, including Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Best of Fest Audience Prize, and Most Promising Musical.
Other multiple winners: “Julian Po,” “The Awakening of Angel DeLuna,” and “Master Escapist.”
Below is the full list of 2013 Awards for Excellence.
For videos of songs from the winning musicals, see my preview of the festival. and also look below.
Excellence in Writing – Music: Ira Antellis (Julian Po)
Excellence in Writing – Lyrics: Omri Schein (Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist)
Excellence in Writing – Book: Joe Slabe (Crossing Swords)
Excellence in Direction: Igor Goldin (Crossing Swords)
Excellence in Choreography: Richard Stafford (Castle Walk)
Excellence in Production Design: Kacie Hultgren, set design; Lee J. Austin, costume design; Zach Blane, lighting design (The Awakening of Angel DeLuna)
Outstanding Orchestrations or Arrangements: Larry Pressgrove (The Awakening of Angel DeLuna)
Outstanding Musical Direction: Micah Young (Crossing Swords)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance: The cast of Volleygirls (PJ Adzima, Susan Blackwell, Juliane Godfrey, Benjamin Howes, Jennifer C. Johnson, Charles Karel, Julia Knitel, Gerianne Pérez, Allison Jill Posner, Dana Steingold, and Allison Strong)
Outstanding Individual Performances:
- Onalea Gilbertson, Mata Hari
- Steven Hauck, Crossing Swords
- Michael Thomas Holmes, The Awakening of Angel DeLuna
- Natalie Joy Johnson, Natalie Joy Johnson: Full Bush
- Jared Loftin, Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist
- Jillian Louis, Marry Harry
- Luba Mason, Julian Po
- Patty Nieman, The Awakening of Angel DeLuna
- Darren Ritchie, Standby
- Lynn Wintersteller, Castle Walk
Theater for the American Musical Prize: Crossing Swords (Book, music & lyrics by Joe Slabe)
“Best of Fest” Audience Prize: Volleygirls (Book by Rob Ackerman, music by Eli Bolin, lyrics by Sam Forman)
Most Promising Musical Award: Volleygirls (book by Rob Ackerman, music by Eli Bolin, lyrics by Sam Forman)
Interview with Lyle Colby Mackston and Marrack Smith, and then “Let Me Be Your Cyrano” from Crossing Swords
“Jabali” from Volleygirls
****
This year’s NYMF Jury included: Dev Bondarin (Associate Artistic Director, Prospect Theatre Company), Chris Caggiano, (EverythingMusicals.com), Seth Christenfeld (Reading Series Coordinator, The York Theatre Company), Michael Dale (BroadwayWorld.com), Roger Danforth (Deputy and Artistic Director, The Drama League), Larry Davis (NYMF Patron), Frank Evans (Producing Director, Musical Mondays Theatre Lab and Steering Committee BMI Musical Theatre Workshop), Lily Fan (Producer), Peter Filichia (Theatre Critic), Jeff Griffin (Managing Director, Classic Stage Company), Jen Hoguet (Ambassador Theatre Group), Lily Hung (New York University), Dana Ivey (Actor), Tim Jerome (Actor), Elizabeth Lucas (Director), Matthew Murray(TalinBroadway.com), Michael Parva (Artistic Director, The Directors Company), Hillary & Jonathan Reinis(Producers), Lynn Spector (Dramaturg), Richard Termine (Photographer, The New York Times), Michael Wolk(Producer, Gorgeous Entertainment).
I went to see “Crossing Swords” on it’s last performance, Sunday. What a treat! Had I seen it earlier I would have encouraged many more of my friends to go. I thought that the play and performers were outstanding!