Local Musical A Semi-Finalist In Festival

A local children’s book author received some exciting news last week in regards to her developing musical production.

Princess K.I.M. The Musical has been chosen as a semi-finalist for the 2012  Ronald M. Ruble New Play Festival at the Carol Crane Children's Theater at Bowling Green State University in Huron, Ohio.

“Princess K.I.M. The Musical” is about a girl named Kim who moves to a new town with her dad and theatrical Grandma. She lies and tells her new friends that she is a princess, but her little lie grows out of control, causing her life to get very complicated.

Amherst author/illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler said that the on-stage adaption of her is in the top 15 plays out of the 178 submitted to the festival. Five or six of the 15 plays will go on to the festival in April, with one chosen to have a full production in next year’s festival.

“It iss exciting news,” said Cocca-Leffler. “If by chance it does get performed, it will certainly give us more exposure.”

She said the finalists will be chosen by the artistic director and the board, as well as the young actors at Carol Crane Children's Theater.

Actors will perform the scripts for the chosen children’s musicals and a winner will be chosen during the festival.

Cocca-Leffler said that this can be a great opportunity for her musical, which has been in development for almost two years. The exposure will certainly boost the play amongst potential licensing agents, but also gives the author and her crew validation of their work.

“When working on a project this long, you can start doubting yourself,” she said. “This gives us hope that this play is good and has some possibilities.”

Princess K.I.M. The Musical was created alongside co-adapter Toby Tarnow, lyrics by Andrew Cass, and music by Andrew Cass and Premik Russel Tubbs.

If her musical comes out on top, she will be able to fly to the next festival and aid in the production of her show for next year’s festival. She also plans to have her show produced in New Hampshire, and hopefully other venues, by next year.

The finalists will be announced within the next week.