Double your impact
thru your company!
A DC-BASED COMPANY, and at our core:
DEVELOPING AND PRODUCING ORIGINAL WORKS OF MUSIC-THEATRE,
FOSTERING THE GROWTH OF ARTISTS,
AND ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY IN PARTNERSHIP
Changing the Conversation Through the Arts
Our Monthly Newsletter - March 2025
What’s Ahead for Alliance for New Music-Theatre in our 2024 -25 Season?
We are stepping up our activities this season in anticipation of celebrating in 2024-25 season our 30-Year Anniversary of our humble beginnings as a workshop for local artists to advance their collaborative capacities to experiment in the many art forms of music-theatre.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC Emancipation and the Right to Vote
Workshop Presentation
Join us on our journey as we mark our commitment to this special project-in- development.
New Music-Theatre returns to Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Georgetown to offer Workshop Presentations of an original work of music-theater celebrating the historic win of Georgetown’s African American community in leveraging their long fight to win early emancipation for the District.
Experience the unveiling of the music from our latest original work, a labor of love for the last two years in a collaboration with Composer Ronald ‘Trey‘ Walton and Music Direction from Evelyn Simpson Curenton. Cast members – several rejoining us from Voices of Zion about two adjacent historic cemeteries and what we now refer to as “Part I” of our story of Black Georgetown – include Sheri Jackson, Kathy Richburg, Cara Schaefer, Daniel Smith, Greg Watkins, and Roz White. Read more about the project HERE.
Two Performances: Tickets available HERE.
- Sunday April 6 at 3 pm
- Wednesday, April 16 at 7:30 pm (DC Emancipation Day)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ukrainian Project: The Trumpeter
On April 28 and April 29, we invite you to descend with us into Dupont Underground to witness a first stage in a new show in our ongoing commitment to the writings of Ukrainian playwrights with a reading of The Trumpeter by Inna Goncharova in an English translation by John Farndon.
The Trumpeter, the last surviving member of a military band, shelters from Russian bombardment in 2022 below the steelworks of Mariupol in Inna Goncharova’s valiant attempt to capture the terrible essence of war.
And what could be a more perfect setting than the echo-ey subterranean space of DU , DC’s spookiest, eclectic, and exciting cultural gathering place, to represent a bunker
World-renowned Director Janos Szasz leads our resistance that this project represents, joined by actors Michael Kevin Darnall and Lise Bruneau
The full production will be presented later this Fall. Tickets available HERE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Cabaret Series Continues
Greg Watkins’ Valentine Cabaret Tribute to Nat King Cole was – indeed – "Unforgettable."
On two separate February nights at the Arts Club of Washington, “love” was in the air as were “peace “and “calm” – or so audience members shouted out describing the super ‘Nat King Cole effect.’ Greg brought deft piano playing and gorgeous velvety tones to transport the room, and it all seemed so effortless.
The evening’s program included popular favorites from Nat King Cole, and Greg took us with him through the evening, from his a capella opening walking through the audience singing “Nature Boy” and on with songs like “Sentimental Reasons” and “Smile” and what was the best-selling song of 1951 “Too Young.” Greg spiced things up getting the audience snapping along to “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Get Your kicks on Route 66.” Some Audience Comments:
"A rare treat to experience live music in an intimate setting." "Amazing show! Encore!" "Loved it, Bravo." "Thank you!"
"It was perfect in every way. Greg is a dream performer and personality," "Greg Watkins is a star! Appreciate the Club’s hospitality"
"Beautiful venue, intimate, friendly staff, good acoustics, enthusiastic audience, nice touch that drinks/bites included"
"I love the cabaret series ! They are uplifting. This one (Nat King Cole) was particularly beautiful, calming& soothing. Deserves a full performance. We need more! Highly accessible musically. Kept me wanting more."
This was the second full Cabaret program in Alliance for New Music-Theatre’s partnership with the Arts Club in our ongoing examination of what makes for an optimal cabaret experience. The room’s intimacy was part of it. The informal opportunity to linger in conversation with Greg and friends another. The signature cocktail, “Je vous aime beaucoup,” supplied by Arts Club manager Yann Henrotte, made the evening even more rosy and indelibly bringing us into a cabaret vibe.
But this is only a beginning of our journey with Greg, creating a music-theater work that it seems he was born to do. There will be more of Nat King Cole’s jazz side, more voices, maybe a trio. Stay tuned, and know we are looking for sponsors to come on the journey with us.
Line-Up of future Cabaret Series at the Arts Club of Washington
-
Tuesday, May 6 - Amy Bormet “Amy Bormet’s Cabaret of Love & Longing”
(... and Amy leads the 15th annual Washington Women in Jazz Festival in March. Read more below)
-
Tuesday, June 3 - Daniel Smith “Unmasked: Freedom in Full Color”
Shows start at 7p.m. Bar with Signature Cocktail opens at 6:30 p.m.
-
and Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7 encore performances
- Daniel Smith - “Unmasked: Freedom in Full Color” - at Dupont Underground
Shows start at 8p.m
Read more about the Cabaret Series HERE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday May 9 at Mr. Henry’s on Capitol Hill
As a special tribute to Roberta Flack, whose passing in February was a great loss and whose voice as a singer, activist, teacher and humanitarian, will be much missed, our very own Roz White will reprise her own “First Take: Roberta Flack at Mr. Henry’s.”
Roz first performed this Cabaret at the Arts Club in December as part of our Cabaret Series. DC native and Howard University Alumna, Roz White takes on the mantle of breathing life into this first glimpse of the magic that has made Roberta Flack a staple of American popular music for over sixty years. Stay tuned for details.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live & About Winter/Spring Season 2025
You can still join our Live & About Spring Season to experience four more Outings!
Live & About is a subscription Series where we take you along to different theaters representing large and small companies approximately once a month, introducing you to different expressions across the spectrum of music-theater. Enjoy seeing shows with friends, followed by conversation delving into the artists’ intentions, learning from others in the group about different perspectives, and sharpening our critical appreciation of different of this most hybrid of performance forms.
By joining in this series, you support companies across the DMV, save money by getting in on a group discount, and make new friends to expand your minds and appetite for new and different voices and genres in our culturally rich and diverse community.
Weeknight and weekend matinees are, in most months, options.
For this upcoming season, we are focusing on different venues, and some may surprise you. How does the space affect the experience? And how does the space expand and enhance what we may call music-theater?
Learn more about the subscription series and rates for this season. Email us at info@newmusictheatre.org
Upcoming Winter/Spring Season Outings
-
March 16 & 20 - Come see Synetic Theater in a new venue for this company as it takes on the era of classic silent film in its trademark blend of voiceless movement-music theater in The Immigrant.
-
April 6 & 16- New Music-Theatre will share its tribute to the history of Black Georgetown and the leaders who made possible the early DC Emancipation & The Right to Vote at Dumbarton UMC in an original work of music-theatre composed by company member Ronald ‘Trey’ Walton.
-
May - Washington National Opera presents a new work by composer Mason Bates and Librettist Mark Campbell (also advisor to our company ), The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. Come with us on this operatic journey through the interior workings and spiritual journey of an innovator.
-
June 15 & 18- Signature Theatre offer us a return trip to Arlington’s anchor cultural destination and another biographically-inspired work , this month a musical in The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter Thompson Musical.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Artists and Partners on View
Amy Bormet
Amy Bormet created the Washington Women in Jazz Festival 15 years ago and now leads the 15th annual WWJF on March 29 & 30 11AM-10PM at the Pen Arts Mansion 1300 17th St NW.
Find out more about the Washington Women in Jazz Festival HERE.
Amy is an alumna of our 2024 Composer-Librettist Studio, where she collaborated as a Composer with other Composers, Librettists and Singer-Actors to create five new original works in an intense 16-day workshop. We wecome her back to our Cabaret Series on May 6.
Read more about the Composer-Librettist Studio HERE.
Dear Friends,
I’m reaching out with an urgent update about the Historic African American Burial Grounds Preservation Fund Amendment Act of 2025 (B26-20)—and why your support is needed.
The DC City Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development will hold a public hearing on March 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM to consider this critical legislation, which would establish the Paul E. Sluby, Sr. Preservation Fund. This fund would finally provide financial resources for the long-overdue care and protection of historic African American cemeteries across the District.
For too long, these sacred spaces have been neglected, erased from maps, and left without the resources to preserve the legacies of those buried there. This legislation is our best opportunity to change that.
I urge you to testify in person, virtually, or submit written testimony to ensure this bill moves forward. Policymakers need to hear from those who understand the significance of these cemeteries and why they must be preserved.
Hearing Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Wilson Building, Room 500, and via Zoom
📺 Livestream: www.dccouncil.gov/hearings
How to Participate:
-
Register to testify (in-person or virtual) by 5:00 PM on March 17, 2025 via the Council’s Hearing Management System: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings.
-
Submit written testimony through the same portal by March 28, 2025.
-
For additional details, contact Doni Crawford, Committee Director, at dcrawford@dccouncil.gov.
-
Read the full text of the legislation here: B26-20 Legislation Text.
This is a pivotal moment to push for lasting protection of these burial grounds. If we do not act now, we risk losing these historic sites to neglect and development. Please add your voice to this fight—our ancestors deserve to be honored and remembered.
If you have any questions or want to coordinate efforts, please let me know.. Thank you for standing with us in this important work. And please share
In Solidarity,
Lisa M. Fager, Executive Director
Black Georgetown Foundation (d/b/a)
c/t: (202) 253-0435 e: LFager@mtzion-fubs.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
As a small not-for-profit 501(c)3 public charity organization, Alliance for New Music-Theatre’s mission is to:
-
Nurture the creation, development and production of new works of music-theatre
-
Foster the growth of professional and aspiring artists and their collaborations across cultures and musical languages;
-
Engage community by bringing audiences and other partners into the creative process to promote a deeper understanding and critical appreciation of the transformative power of music-theatre.
We need your support to continue to fulfill our mission. There are many opportunities to provide support at various levels by supporting an artist, a production, or general support.
The Donate page on our website has information about ways to contribute. Donate | New Music-Theatre (newmusictheatre.org)