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A Girl Called Esther

In conjunction with Spark and Echo Arts, and in collaboration with Playwright Chris Cragin, Emily and I have been developing a theatre piece with music entitled A Girl Called Esther. This production tells the story of a woman named Esther who is trying desperately to help her mother who is in a coma in the hospital. Esther learns that favorite stories can help revive the memory, so she decides to read her the biblical story of Esther, a favorite of the mother, and one that the daughter has always hated. As Esther reads she goes through several surreal experiences: the words from the story come to life, sounds are augmented, music and songs stir, and her life melds with the biblical Esther in life-altering ways.

This show has been workshopped in Baltimore and in New York City and continues to be developed.