New musicals by Doug Wright and Terrence McNally headed for Sundance Lab (14323)

Two new musicals from major gay playwrights will be developed at the Sundance Institute Theatre Laboratory, according to Playbill.com. I Am My Own Wife and Quills author Doug Wright will bring his musical version of the documentary film Grey Gardens, featuring music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie, all under the direction of Michael Greif (Rent). Also at the lab will be Some Men, a new play with music by Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, The Lisbon Traviata), which will be directed by Philip Himberg. The latter play is described as "a theatrical collage that journeys through the lives of American gay men in New York City over the last century, from the era of World War I until some moment in the very near future." The Sundance Lab takes place November 29 through December 13 at White Oak in Yulee, Fla.

"These two projects invited to participate in this program at White Oak reflect Sundance's commitment to supporting unique new visions for the American stage," said Himberg, who is also the Sundance Institute Theatre Program artistic director, in a statement. "At our annual summer Theatre Lab in Utah, which is now entering its 27th season, we strive to represent the broad landscape of theatre being created in this country today. The White Oak Lab is specifically designed to complement the summer lab by focusing on musical theatre projects and/or ensemble developed work. Musicals, in particular, have distinct needs and require different methods of rehearsal, and a more complex collaborative team."