DeGarmo, Groff, Orfeh, Hanks and More Set for NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation Competition

Broadway alums Diana DeGarmo, Jonathan Groff, Orfeh, Paul Scott Goodman, Bailey Hanks, Kacie Sheik, Allison Case and more will be among the familiar faces searching for the next stage star at New York Musical Theatre Festival’s fourth annual Next Broadway Sensation competition, formerly known as Broadway Idol. DeGarmo, currently of The Toxic Avenger, hosts round one of the American Idol-style contest, which kicks off at New World Stages on September 13. Additional celebrity hosts for the semifinals, on September 20, and finale, on October 4, will be announced shortly.

Groff (Spring Awakening), Orfeh (Legally Blonde), Goodman (Rooms), Hanks (Legally Blonde), Sheik (Hair), Case (Hair), Sk-K-Boom Records producer Noah Cornman and more will serve as judges in the competition.

NYMF’s Next Broadway Sensation is a singing contest seeking would-be-stars with “tons of Broadway flair but no Broadway credits.” In previous years the competition has featured the talents of Jennifer Sanchez (West Side Story), George Psomas (South Pacific), Alysha Umphress (the upcoming American Idiot), Jeff McClean (Legally Blonde national tour), and DeMond Nason (Walmartopia), among many others. Last year’s champion was Shawna Hamic.

This year’s show will also feature preview performances for the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Open auditions for Next Broadway Sensation will be held August 29 at the Roy Arias Theatre Center with callbacks to follow on August 30. The competition is open to singers who are 18 and older.