Spotlight on: QUEEN OF THE WEST (Book and Lyrics by Derek P. Hassler, Music by Landon Braverman)

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).