Last night was a huge success! Sold out show! Amazing work!

Theater in the Now

Friday, July 29, 2016
Spotlight On...Adam Spiegel

Name: Adam Spiegel

Hometown: Plainsboro, NJ

Education: Bachelor of Music in Music Business from New York University

Favorite Credits: Camp Rolling Hills, is being produced this summer at New York Musical Festival, and has been adapted into a series of young adult novels published by Abrams Books. Composer of Cloned!, a New York Times Critic’s Pick and winner of NYMF 2014’s Best of Fest Audience Prize!, and The Whole Megillah! Completed two years as a composer in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, worked on a musical adaptation of "Back To The Future" with lyricist Dan Wolpow. Also the keyboardist and lead singer of Brain Salt, and plays keyboards and sings for the band Hide & Seek. As an actor, Peter in Vital Theatre Company’s Pinkalicious, The Musical!

Why theater?: When I was 8 years old, I went to a sleep-away camp called Camp Tranquillity for the first time. Every Saturday night, we would put on a show in the Barn Theater. The first week I was there, I auditioned to be in Peter Pan, and got the role of Smee. I don't quite remember why I wanted to audition, but it was possibly because my older brother David had gone to camp the previous summer, and he had played Linus in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown and it sounded like fun. Anyway, I had a great time doing it, and ended up being involved in just about every show the rest of that summer, and the 11 other summers that followed. I've loved performing ever since. When I was in middle school, I started figuring out how to write music, and was often told that my music sounded like it could be in a musical. In high school I kept developing my piano and composition skills, and ended up music directing and arranging music for the annual AP History play senior year, as well as writing a few scenes for it. I was a music business major at NYU, but I continued performing and writing music. Eventually I signed up for a musical theatre writing class, and after a semester of writing a lot of fun songs, I collaborated on a ten minute musical called I'm Falling for my final project. It was about two people skydiving and falling in love in mid-air (the subtitle was Love Is In The Air). After that I knew I wanted to write musicals.

Tell us about Camp Rolling Hills: Camp Rolling Hills tells the story of 12-year-old Robert Benjamin, sent away to camp by his newly-divorced parents. At first, Robert resents being stuck in a strange place with a bunch of enthusiastic weirdos who've nicknamed him "Smelly." Before too long, he starts to love camp and everything that comes with it. He learns to play guitar, finds first love, and finally earns the respect and admiration of his bunkmates. Along with the rest of the 12 year-old campers of San Juan Hill and Anita Hill Cabins, Smelly (eventually) has the greatest summer of his life, breaking the rules, making lifelong friends, and learning important life lessons along the way.

What inspired you to write Camp Rolling Hills?: My brother David and I went to camp together first as campers, and then as staff members from age 16 on. Once we were both on staff, David would direct the shows, and I would music direct and play piano. Between our experience putting on shows together there and our experiences at camp in general and all the fun stories and memories that came with it, we had more than enough material on which to base our own musical.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I tend to gravitate towards comedy, especially stuff that is silly—but it has to be cleverly written. Generally, I'm inspired by little things that makes me laugh. If I stumble onto a funny story or see a funny character, or even come across a silly rhyme or pun, I want to follow the thread and see if it leads anywhere. Some of my favorite things that I've written have come out of ideas I've had (either on my own or with a writing partner) that I just can't stop laughing about. My favorites are the ones that I think are too stupid to use at first - those are the ideas that seem to really stick the hardest.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I wouldn't say that there's any specific person I'm dying to work with, but I love working with creative, fun, open minded people, from the writing process all the way up through production. I'm really excited about working with our incredible cast this summer which includes six actors (four of them kids!) who have already been on Broadway.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I haven't gotten to see Hamilton yet, so I can't say that one, but my favorite shows the last five years or so have been The Book of Mormon, One Man Two Guvnors, Matilda, Pippin, and Into The Woods (the Delacorte production). 

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I don't know his name, but the kid who plays Adam on ABC's "The Goldbergs" would play me, and the movie would be called "Cheese, Mostly".

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Probably the original production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum with Zero Mostel.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Phish!

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be?: Definitely playing music somewhere - touring with one of my bands would be awesome.

What’s up next?: My band Hide and Seek has a residency at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 1 every Saturday night at 10PM on August 13th, 20th and 27th, plus an EP release show at Rockwood Stage 2 on September 24th. I also have a new EP coming out soon from my band Brain Salt!

For more on Adam, visit www.adamspiegelmusic.com. For more on Camp Rolling Hills, visit www.camprollinghills.com

Broadway Wiz interviews the Matilda kids who are in the cast of Camp Rolling Hills!

​The Best Children's Theater in NYC This Summer - Mommy Poppins
7/14/16 - By Raven Snook

New York City's family theater scene is hotter than a heat wave. Some people might think the dog days of summer are a cultural wasteland and that all the cool openings won't start again until fall, but that's just not the case when it comes to kids' shows.

There are options for all ages, interests, and budgets, including a page-to-stage adaptation of aJunie B. Jones picture book, family-friendly outdoor Shakespeare, the return of a glow-in-the-dark extravaganza, and a brand-new Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes. Best of all, some picks are less than $25 per ticket, and three are 100 percent FREE! Plus, we found discount codes for the pricier ones.

New York Musical Festival — Midtown West
Since its inaugural 2004 edition, the annual NYMF has showcased more than 400 tuners—including a few that went on to Broadway, including Next to Normal, which snagged a Pulitzer Prize. But while the focus is on grown-up fare, the fest always features a few family-friendly musicals. Catch these three tuners before they move on to bigger and better things (and higher ticket prices). All shows are $27.50 per person.
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Ultimate Man! — Tuesday, July 19-Tuesday, July 26: A comic book artist loses control of his characters as his creations leap off the page into reality to complain about their stories. A satirical take on the dilemma of selling out. Ages 10 and older.
Tink! — Monday, July 25-Sunday, July 31: Before she became Peter Pan's sidekick, Tinkerbell had some adventures of her own, including an unexpected romance with the first mate of the Jolly Roger! How will these star-crossed lovers impact the residents of Neverland? Ages 10 and older.
Camp Rolling Hills — Wednesday, August 3-Saturday, August 6: Celebrate the drama-filled days of summer camp as a dozen tweens embark on an eight-week, life-changing adventure. All the archetypes are present: the nerd, the jock, tomboy, and girly girl. By the end, they're sure to make friends and have lots of laughs. Ages 8 and older.

The 2016 New York Musical Festival Celebrates Opening Night
The annual event runs through August 7.
Allison Stock • New York City • Jul 19, 2016

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) celebrated its opening night on July 18. The annual festival of brand-new musicals runs through August 7 at various Midtown Manhattan venues.

Now in its 12th year, the festival is the largest musical-theater event in America. Festival alumni have received a wide array of awards including the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize. In 2013, NYMF received a special Drama Desk Award in recognition of its work.
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Featuring the cast of CAMP ROLLING HILLS, and then below that, Sophia Gennusa (Matilda), who plays the role of Jenny!

There will be an added performance on August 7th at 4pm! See the TheaterMania article below!

Nine Productions of 2016 New York Musical Festival Extended

Find out which new productions will have longer runs.
Editorial Staff • New York City • Jul 19, 2016

Nine productions from this year's New York Musical Festival (NYMF) have had their runs extended.
The productions are as follows, with performance dates and time in parentheses:

A Scythe of Time (July 21 at 8pm, July 23 at 1pm and 5pm, July 24 at 1pm and 5pm, July 26 at 9pm)
Lisa and Leonard (July 21 at 8pm, July 23 at 9pm, July 25 at 12pm, July 26 at 12pm, July 28 at 4pm and 8pm)
Children of Salt (July 20 at 8pm, July 21 at 9pm, July 22 at 1pm, July 23 at 5pm, July 24 at 9pm, and July 26 at 5pm)
Eh Dah? - Questions For My Father (July 19 at 8pm, July 20 at 1pm, July 23 at 9pm, July 24 at 9pm, July 25 at 8pm, and July 28 at 9pm)
Tink! (July 25 at 8pm, July 28 at 1pm and 5pm, July 30 at 5pm and 9pm, July 31 at 5pm)
Dust Can't Kill Me (August 1 at 8pm, August 2 at 5pm, August 3 at 9pm, August 4 at 9pm, August 6 at 1pm, and August 7 at 12pm)
Single (July 29 at 8pm, August 3 at 1pm and 5pm, August 4 at 5pm, August 5 at 1pm, August 6 at 5pm)
Newton's Cradle (August 3 at 8pm, August 4 at 4pm, August 5 at 9pm, August 6 at 1pm, August 7 at 12pm and 4pm)
Camp Rolling Hills (August 3 at 8pm, August 4 at 5pm, August 5 at 5pm and 9pm, August 6 at 1pm, and August 7 at 4pm)

Curation of the 2016 Festival is led by Rachel Sussman, who joins NYMF this year as director of programming and artist services.

For tickets to a performance, click on the show's title.

The New York Musical Festival welcomes CAMP ROLLING HILLS and TINK! to this year's lineup. Both shows gave performances at today's preview concert, and you can check out photos below!

Camp Rolling Hills Musical, LLC/Center Stage Theatre Company welcome Sophia Gennusa(Doctor Zhivago, Matilda - Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre), James Ignacio (The King And I), Mitchell Sink (Elf, Matilda, A Christmas Story), and Beatrice Tulchin (Matilda, A Christmas Story) in CAMP ROLLING HILLS, a new musical with book and lyrics by Stacy Davidowitz and David Spiegel, music and lyrics by Adam Spiegel and directed by Jill Jaysen.
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Also featured in the company of CAMP ROLLING HILLS are Gia Asperas (Seussical National Tour), John Krause (Fun Home, Rock of Ages National Tour), Jillian Louis (It Shoulda Been You), Jamie Mann(Billy Elliot National Tour), Grace Rundhaug ("The Sound of Music Live!", "Manhattan Night"),Keith Varney (I Got Fired - NYMF/DIMF award), Antonio Antonelli, Sarah Bates, Carrie Berk, Maizy Boosin, Jasper Burke, Lucas Casellas, Jonathan Eiler, David Hoffman, Chloe Manna, Merin McCallum, Will Varvaro, and Samantha Webster.

Pack up your duffle bags and head to CAMP ROLLING HILLS for another wild summer of tune-filled campfires, bunk beds, and treasure hunts (for missing underwear, that is!). From learning a new sport, to discovering a new talent, to finding their first love, these 12 tweens are off on an 8-week adventure that will forever change their lives. It doesn't matter if you are a nerd, a jock, a tomboy, or a girly-girl, because true friendships are made when all the rules are broken. After all, there is a different definition of cool at Camp!

The cast rocked their performance today at the NYMF Sneak Preview concert performance at Worldwide Plaza in midtown. They kicked off the whole event with the opening number, Rolling Hills, and the finale, Always Summer Somewhere. The show goes up in just under a month! Tix are going fast - buy here!

Photo Flash: NYMF's CAMP ROLLING HILLS Gives Sneak Preview at BROADWAY SESSIONS
July 1- 3:53 PM 2016


The New York Musical Festival and Camp Rolling Hills Musical, LLC/ Center Stage Theatre Company welcome Sophia Gennusa (Doctor Zhivago, Matilda - Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre), James Ignacio (The King And I), Mitchell Sink (Elf, Matilda, A Christmas Story), and Beatrice Tulchin (Matilda, A Christmas Story) in CAMP ROLLING HILLS, a new musical with book and lyrics by Stacy Davidowitz and David Spiegel, music and lyrics by Adam Spiegel and directed by Jill Jaysen. The cast previewed the show at last night's BROADWAY SESSIONS, and BroadwayWorld has photos below!

Sophia Gennusa, Mitchell Sink & More to Star in CAMP ROLLING HILLS at NYMF

June 27
12:54 PM2016

👤by BWW News Desk

The New York Musical Festival and Camp Rolling Hills Musical, LLC/ Center Stage Theatre Company's have announced that Sophia Gennusa(Doctor Zhivago, Matilda - Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre), James Ignacio (The King And I), Mitchell Sink (Elf, Matilda, A Christmas Story), and Beatrice Tulchin (Matilda, A Christmas Story) will lead the company of CAMP ROLLING HILLS, a new musical with book and lyrics by Stacy Davidowitz and David Spiegel and music and lyrics by Adam Spiegel and directed by Jill Jaysen.

Also featured in the company are Gia Asperas (Seussical National Tour), John Krause (Fun Home, Rock of Ages National Tour), Jillian Louis(It Shoulda Been You), Jamie Mann(Billy ElliotNational Tour), Grace Rundhaug ("The Sound of Music Live!", "Manhattan Night"), Keith Varney (I Got Fired - NYMF/DIMF award), Antonio Antonelli, Sarah Bates, Carrie Berk, Maizy Boosin, Jasper Burke, Lucas Casellas, Jonathan Eiler,David Hoffman, Chloe Manna, Merin McCallum, Will Varvaro, and Samantha Webster.

The production will play on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 8:00 pm, Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 5:00 pm, Friday, August 5, 2016 at 5:00 pm, Friday, August 5, 2016 at 9:00 pm, Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 1:00 pm at The Pearl Theatre, located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues on the north side of 42nd Street). General Admission tickets are $29.50. For reservations and information visit http://nymf.org/camprollinghills or call (866) 811-4111.