EG Native is Youngest Writer Ever Accepted into NY Musical Theatre Festival

Chris Anselmo is an East Greenwich native attending Northwestern about to wrap up his sophomore year.

He's also in the process of raising money to put on FABLE, an original musical he co-wrote with Harrison Kaufman, also a college sophomore (at NYU).

And the venue for this original play, which interprets the classic theme of discovering secrets amongst friends, isn't on either of their college campuses.

It's in New York, at the New York Musical Theatre Festival — one of the most prestigious and exclusive showcases for new plays and playwrights in the world.

The festival has served as an incubator for numerous Broadway successes and for Anselmo and Kaufman, the opportunity is highlighted by their youth. They are the youngest writers ever accepted into the program.

They are now raising money as fast as they can to put the production onto the stage.

So far, they've raised more than $14,000 and have a short-term goal of raising $16,000. The long term goal is to raise more than $40,000 and it seems like a lot because when a show is staged at this level, it takes a production staff, actors, costumes and sets of high caliber.

Anselmo, 20, graduated from the Wheeler School in 2012 and grew up in East Greenwich.

Before "Fable," His career in theatre and music had been burgeoning. At Northwestern, he's directed and led productions. Last year, he was one of 11 songwriters picked for the NYMF Musical Theatre Songwriting Workshop and he's interned for Comma Music, which creates advertising music. 

For more information about the play, head to:
http://www.fablethemusical.com/

Their kickstarter is here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fableanewmusical/fable-a-new-musical

Just hours remain, so be sure to donate now if you can.

If you plan on making a large donation, go here: http://www.nymf.org/ for tax purposes.

FABLE "captures the moments when we are forced to change whether we like it or not," according to a release. "It's graduation time. When a mysterious classmate crashes their last epic night of celebration, a group of childhood friends is forced to confront the secrets they’ve been keeping from each other. Will their friendships survive the night?"

Tickets go on sale June 16.