Anne Nygren Doherty (book/lyrics) created the long-running SF hit – Absolutely San Francisco, playing 146 performances at two Union Square venues. Once a protege of legendary Broadway lyricist and composer, Bob Merrill, she founded New Musical Theater of San Francisco to the develop original musical theater by emerging Bay Area talent. Most notably, the award-winning musical play CHANCE, by Richard Isen with direction by Tony Award winner Robert Kalfin. The December 2018 reading of her playThe Most Wonderful Afternoon featured Tony-nominee/Drama Desk winner Veanne Cox, with direction by Gabriel Barre. Though Anne works primarily as a writer, teacher, and story analyst, there was a time she made a living as an actress. In one capacity or another, she has worked with luminaries such as John Belushi, William J. Petersen, John Malkovich, Richard Dreyfus, director Frank Galati, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Milan Stitt.