Performances are at 2 and 8 PM today. A Woman of Will, written by McBroom and Joel Silberman, features the actress in a variety of roles. The musical — directed by Silberman — will officially open Oct. 2.
A Woman of Will, according to production notes, concerns a writer facing both personal and professional crises: "Hired to finish the lyrics of a Broadway-bound musical version of The Merchant of Venice, Kate faces the demands of an unrelenting deadline in addition to important decisions about her marriage and future. In desperation, she reaches out to Shakespeare’s leading ladies for guidance. What follows is a celebration of life in a crackling display of wit and wisdom, bursting forth from 17 original songs."
About the genesis of A Woman of Will, McBroom recently told Playbill.com, "Joel Silberman [has] been my musical director for several years. I'd written a couple of songs from the point of view of Shakespeare's feminine heroines. What would Juliet say if she was alive today? Or Gertrude? Or Lady Macbeth? I got a couple of them going, and then Joel and I looked at each other and said, 'This might make an interesting show,' so we proceeded to write a story from the point of view of 'What would they say?' We started taking all these fabulous women and saying, 'Okay, who's singing rock-n-roll? Who's doing the disco number?,' and what do they have to say that's appropriate?" Song titles include "Suddenly Love," "The Bitch Is Out," "Tomorrow Is Born Tonight" and "Lady Macbeth Sings the Blues."
The creative team comprises Trefoni Michael Rizzi (scenic, projection and lighting design), Tobin Ost (costume design), Lewis Mead (sound design) and Larry Hochman (orchestrations).
Originally titled Lady Macbeth Sings the Blues, the musical had its world premiere production in June 2004 at California's Rubicon Theatre. Singer-songwriter Amanda McBroom composed the award-winning song "The Rose" as well as the frequently performed "Ship in a Bottle" and "Erroll Flynn." A consummate cabaret performer, she has released six solo CDs as well as the cast album of her musical, Heartbeats. McBroom also starred on Broadway in Seesaw, Off-Broadway in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris and in the title role of Mame at L.A.'s Cabrillo Music Theatre. Composer Joel Silberman is also a pianist, singer, arranger, conductor, producer, director and educator. Among his many directorial credits are La Bohème, Lucretia Borgia, Il Barbiere de Seville and The Old Maid and The Thief. He produced, directed or conducted TDF’s tribute to Harold Prince, Broadway Applauds Lincoln Center, Ignite the Light, Hair for the Next Generation and A Classic Evening for AIDS Research. Silberman is the recipient of two MAC Awards for Outstanding Singer-Instrumentalist, and he premiered his solo show, Keep the Music Playing, in Australia.
The production plays Tuesday-Friday evenings at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 and 8 PM and Sundays at 3 and 7 PM. The Daryl Roth Theatre is located in Manhattan at 101 East 15th Street, at Union Square. Tickets for the production are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com.
For more information go to www.AWomanOfWill.com.
