The New York Musical Festival nurtures the creation, production, and public presentation of stylistically, thematically, and culturally diverse new musicals to ensure the future vitality of musical theater.

The New York Musical Festival continues through August 5, offering 12 productions as well as lectures, readings, and more! We spoke with Jamie Leo and Paul Leschen about their musical ‘68. Tell us about your show! Paul: ’68 is the story of the events leading up to and during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the motivations of the parties involved, told through a series of fictional — but based on true life — interviews with people both on the periphery and in the center of the storm. Jamie: ‘68 tells an epic story filled with prisms and shards with the hope that, within, the dervish audiences will catch glimpses of themselves. Fill in the blank: my show is a cross between… Paul: Working and Woodstock. Jamie: A vast midwestern thunderhead and tear gas seeping into your hotel room from the AC vents. What was the musical that made you want to write musicals? Paul: A Chorus Line. Jamie: It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman. What have been the most exciting things about seeing your show come together? Paul: It’s always a thrill to watch a new song come to life on stage. Jamie: Knowing the power of song to move people, in a time when we need to be lifted toward hop …Read more