Manhattan
Theatre Mission is excited and delighted to produce our second Showcase of New
Musicals! Following up on the rousing success of last year's Showcase, we look
forward to bringing you four diverse offerings from some of today's
up-and-coming talent! In the coming weeks, we will be spotlighting each of our
selected shows to give you a taste of the excellent material we have planned
for this year. This week's spotlight is on QUEEN OF THE WEST, with book and
lyrics by Derek P. Hassler and music by Landon Braverman.
QUEEN OF THE WEST is a new epic musical based on Theodore Dreiser's
groundbreaking turn of the century novel Sister
Carrie. The show tells the story of Carrie Meeber, a young, naive Wisconsin
farm girl who moves to Chicago at the turn of the century to pursue a better
and more exciting life. Upon arrival, she moves in with her sister Minnie and
discovers that it's next to impossible to break out of the lower class. However,
after catching the eye of rising journalist Charlie Drouet and later the
well-to-do resort manager George Hurstwood, she climbs the ranks of society
eventually becoming the biggest theatre star in New York City. An epic tale of
love, ambition, and the effects of the American dream.
The original novel Sister Carrie is full of so
much that we feel makes a great musical. These characters truly want something.
They dream big. They rise and fall in ways that are romantic, daring, shocking,
and ultimately have something big to say about the human experience and
about the American Dream in particular. It's a love story, and a classic rags
to riches journey, but with a deep moral and sociopolitical conscience that is
truly fascinating.
As for the long-term goals for the show,
Hassler says he’s not sure they have any specific dreams for the show. The
writers think it's a story worth sharing and are excited to get it out into the
world.
“We have always been a team
that focuses on our characters and how the audience responds to their victories
and mistakes. We just hope that people watching the show can be taken on an
emotional journey. At the end of the day, if people have an honest emotional
reaction to our work, we've done our job. Of course we hope to get some productions happening.” – Derek Hassler
When asked, “Why do you write musicals?”
Landon:
I have grown up with musicals all my life. For me, it's one
of the most unique and honest ways to tell a story and move an audience. The
ability to weave simple and complex ideas in music and words is enthralling.
The challenge to entertain but also make an audience think is what attracts me
to the genre.
Derek:
I have always been a story teller. I also grew up listening
to classical music and musical theatre has a magical way of uniting those two
things. Story and Music. There are definitely advantages to bringing music into
your story. It can make you laugh or cry. It was a natural niche I found myself
in. One morning I realized that it wasn't the acting or the singing I was drawn
to as an artist, it was the story.
In writing QUEEN OF THE WEST, Hassler and Braverman wanted to
honor the time period but also keep the sound. They both greatly admire the
scores from Ragtime and Parade, and their ability
to fuse classic musical theater romanticism with hints of pop/rock melodic styles.
The writers were also very fortunate in having Sybille Pearson (Bookwriter of Baby and Giant)
with them through much of their creative process. “Her guidance while tackling
this turn of the century novel has been a godsend,” said Hassler.
QUEEN OF THE WEST is a show set in a very
specific time; however, it is a story that transcends the turn of the century.
The modern score next to a mix of modern and classical language allows the
audience to see the reflections of the story and how it relates to our current
generation. The characters are absolutely wonderful. One moment you love them,
and the next, you hate them. It's a classic American Epic that spans from
Chicago to New York but at heart, it's a quant show about Carrie's relationship
with society.
The show has had a few
closed readings, but no formal announcements or advertising. However, you can
get a sneak peek of one of the songs from the show. CLICK HERE to hear the
magnificent Melanie Burg singing "The Life I'm Worth" at 54 Below.
Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd Annual New Musicals Showcase! The event will take place Saturday, December 7th at 4pm at the Roy Arias Stage IV Theatre. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and save! Tickets are $15 in Advance and $18 at the door. Join us after for an after party at Bourbon Street Bar and Grill on Restaurant Row! (46th St. Between Broadway and 8th Ave).
