By Rich Fisher
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-916682.mp3
Tulsa, Oklahoma – "Roofless" is an original piece of musical theatre --- with Tulsa origins --- that dates back at least a decade. It's a play that draws upon such influences as hip-hop, Disney films, "Rent," "Stomp," the classic MGM movie musicals, and even "Hair." On our show today, we hear from the playwrights Tim Long and Jerome Johnson. These two have collaborated to create the book, music, and lyrics for "Roofless," which was recently named one of the 30 plays to be exhibited at the prestigious New York Musical Theatre Festival (or NYMF) next month. The largest musical theater event in America, NYMF has been called "the Sundance of musical theatre" --- and "Roofless" was chosen for this event from a pool of 500+ productions nationwide. NYMF is now seen as the key source for new material and talent discovery in the world of musical theatre. It's a pleasure for us to get the full "Roofless" story from Tim and Jerome before they head off to NYC in September. (By the way, you can learn more about them, and about their show, at www.rooflessthamusical.com.)