THE NEW HARMONY PROJECT
SERVING WRITERS. CELEBRATING THE HUMAN SPIRIT.
Matty Selman, Script Selection Chair
Matty Selman is the author of UNCLE PHILIP'S COAT selected as a Herbert Berghof Memorial Play which is also included in the permanent collection of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture, and has since been continuously produced across the United States. He wrote the score for LYSISTRATA with HAIR composer, Galt MacDermot, which starred Tony Award winner, Cherry Jones. LYSISTRATA was a co-production of A.R.T., Cambridge, MA and The Prince Music Theatre, Philadelphia. Other shows written with Galt MacDermot include, GODDESS WHEEL (book and lyrics), produced by CAP21 in New York City as well as a concert presentation at Carnegie Hall (Weill Hall) and THE TINDERBOX (book and lyrics), a new Musical Fable loosely based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen – also presented in concert form at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall twice. Matty has written three musicals in collaboration with AGNES OF GOD playwright, John Pielmeier; YOUNG RUBE (music and lyrics)- based on the early days of Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, Rube Goldberg, that had its world premiere on the Main Stage at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis and was recently seen in Orlando at Orlando Shakespeare Festival; STEEPLECHASE THE FUNNY PLACE (music and lyrics), selected for full development at The New Harmony Project starring Harry Groener and Cass Morgan; and SLOW DANCE WITH A HOT PICKUP (music and lyrics) developed through the New Harmony Project. The latter has been presented recently at Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, N.H. and won Best Original Musical and Best Musical Production at the 2008 NEW HAMPSHIRE THEATRE AWARDS. SLOW DANCE was also presented at the Sarasota Festival of New Plays at Florida Studio Theatre and was chosen as the inaugural musical production at Indiana University Premiere Musicals. The Oregon Cabaret Theatre produced his musical PARCEL FROM AMERICA based on the stories of Irish playwright, Tomaseen Foley. Matty is the recipient of an Emmy Award for Best Service Show for writing and producing the theme and background music for MARTHA STEWART LIVIVING on CBS and B.SMITH WITH STYLE; he wrote and produced the music and original songs for Scholastic Films THE JEWEL PRINCESS. Matty was guest artist twice at The Gathering at Big Fork along with Terence McNally and John Pielmeier. His two books for Disney based on the hit series THE JERSEY are among the best selling books for middle school readers. Other awards include a playwrighting grant from BACA (Brooklyn Arts and Cultural Association) for his street opera BOROUGH OF BRAGGARTS: and the ASCAP Popular Music Award. Matty is proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the New Harmony Project. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and a writer/publisher member of ASCAP.
THE NEW HARMONY PROJECT
SERVING WRITERS. CELEBRATING THE HUMAN SPIRIT.