Broadway Stars at the New York Musical Festival! Six Stars Spill on NYC's Hottest Place to See the Shows of Tomorrow

The New York Musical Festival has become a theatrical summer staple, encouraging artists to create big on a small scale; hits like Next to Normal and [title of show] have their roots in NYMF productions. (Remember Feeling Electric? We do.) The thirteenth annual fest kicked off on July 11, and Broadway.com caught up with some Broadway faves who are performing at NYMF as they posed as street performers for our camera in Washington Square Park.




Jon Rua
What show are you in and who do you play?
I am playing Ruben in Bread and Roses, and I am the choreographer of the musical Freedom Riders.

What’s the best way to spend summer in NYC?
Creating and enjoying the walkable weather! Maybe with a nice beverage on a patio somewhere.

What are your NYMF dressing room demands?
Water, fruit, WiFi, bathroom!

Tell us a secret about NYMF.
I don't know. You tell me.


Lesli Margherita

What show are you in and who do you play?
I’m in A Scythe of Time, which is based on two Edgar Allen Poe stories. I’m playing Señora Psyche Zenobia. She’s a bit...off. But aren't we all?

What’s the most surprising part of being in NYMF?
What every department is able to accomplish with little to no money. The creative teams on these shows are unreal, and it’s so awesome to see them bring these new works to life. They are mini-Broadway shows. I wasn't expecting that.

What’s the best way to spend summer in NYC?

Singing in an air-conditioned rehearsal room that has a supply of free Twizzlers. I’m not an outdoorsy girl. Bugs. Ew.

Tell us about your greatest street performance.
It was probably when my dog lunged for a skateboard; I went flying, as did my coffee which doused three people. The finale was me stepping in my dog’s poop as I got up to apologize to the coffee-covered people. It was quite a performance. I don't think I’ll be performing it again, but who knows. There may be a demand for it.

Luca Padovan

What show are you in and who do you play?
I am in Rob Rokicki's Monstersongs, and I play Dave the Reluctant Dragon.

What are your NYMF dressing room demands?
WiFi and Starbucks!

Tell us about your greatest street performance.
A few years ago, a group of us boys went to the park while our parents were at dinner and practiced harmonizing the Bruno Mars' song “Grenade.” Then we "performed" it for our parents on the street, but we actually drew a crowd.

What should someone say to you after seeing you in a new musical?
They should tell me exactly how they felt about it, good or bad, so I can improve my performance.

Kathryn Gallagher

What show are you in and who do you play?
I am in Dust Can't Kill Me, and I play Lily, a headstrong, impulsive, imperfect, badass young woman who is doing her best and following her heart for better or worse in the worst of circumstances.

What’s the best way to spend summer in NYC?
Brunch. Park. Air-conditioned apartments. Food. Shows. Walking. Live music. Patios. Sweating. Puppies. Celebrating my birthday. With puppies.

If you were a street performer, what would you do?
I'm learning how to read tarot right now, so I would probably do that!!

What are your NYMF dressing room demands?
Do I get demands? Do I get a dressing room? Candy? If I say candy here, do I get candy there???

Max Chernin

What show are you in and who do you play?
I'm in a reading of Artemis in the Parking Lot and play the role of Brendan Moverman a.k.a. "U-Haul."

Tell us about your greatest street performance.
Three Halloweens ago: my street walk from the train to a party as Anjelica Huston as Eileen Rand from Smash.

Tell us a secret about NYMF.
It's the best place to take huge risks.

What should someone say to you after seeing you in a new musical?
If you genuinely liked the material, then talk about that; if not, hopefully, you can talk about my performance or all the performances...and if not, then compliment my outfit or something. Don't say "It needs work." We know. It's new.


Jennifer Damiano

What show are you in and who do you play?
I am in A Lasting Impression, and I play Kali.

If you were to be a street performer, what would you do and where would you do it?
I would probably sing Next to Normal songs on Ninth Avenue outside of Juice Generation. But I'd disguise myself to confuse everyone.

Tell us a secret about NYMF.
My sister in A Lasting Impression is played by Meghann Fahy, who is my best friend in the whole wide world. But that's not really a secret.

What’s the best way to spend summer in NYC?
Doing a NYMF show—​duh!