Bubble Boy

After 40+ productions, readings and workshops, the third annual Festival of New American Musicals, produced by Marcia Seligson, Bob Klein, and Linda Shusett, is coming to a close. With contributions from Southern California performance venues from San Diego to Ventura, this year’s festival saw numerous important new works of musicals get their all-important first look while entertaining 3,500+ theater patrons.

Select fan favorites from this year’s festival include The First Wives Club musical, which is running now through the end of August at The Old Globe in San Diego; the long-running Divorce! The Musical at the Hudson Mainstage in L.A.; the world premiere of Setup & Punch at The Blank Theatre in L.A.; and bachelorette party destination extraordinaire Dirty Dancing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

As the last hurrah for 2009, The Festival of New American Musicals and ASCAP will present two staged readings of a new musical inspired by the quirky Jake Gyllenhaal movie, Bubble Boy. Bubble Boy the musical follows the odyssey of Jimmy Livingston, a boy born without immunities and confined to a plastic bubble room. When he discovers that the love of his life, Chloe, is getting married, he builds a bubble suit, breaks out of his home, and travels across the country to stop the wedding. Along the way, he must deal with unlikely cults, ferocious bikers, an Indian ice cream man, and the greatest obstacle of all, his controlling mother.

The staged reading of Bubble Boy is directed by Scott Schwartz (Broadway’s Golda’s Balcony). Each of the two performances will be followed by a public talk-back with select members of the creative team, which may include composer Cinco Paul (Horton Hears a Who), and co-librettist Ken Daurio (College Road Trip).

The Festival produces numerous special events throughout the year, with a focus on the development of new works of musical theater and educational outreach. More information about their events and services can be found here.

The readings of Bubble Boy the musical will take place on August 25th and 26th at 7:30 p.m. at The Commissary at Disney Studios. Enter at Buena Vista gate, 500 South Buena Vista, Burbank, California 91521. Upon arrival, ask for the ASCAP event. Due to limited free seating, suggested arrival time is 7:30 p.m. Curtain at 8:00 p.m. Must have photo ID. For reservations, call (310) 827-2850.