O'Neill Conference's New Musicals

O'Neill Music Theater Conference
Offers New Musicals

"The Nightingale" & "Sarah, Plain and Tall"
August 2 through 10

Two new musicals, "The Nightingale" and "Sarah, Plain and Tall" will bring to life a romance in the Forbidden City of ancient China and the Kansas homestead of a pioneer family during the 26th annual O'Neill Music Theater Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

During the Conference (July 28 through August 10), established and emerging artists form a community of writers, composers, directors and performers in support of bringing new music theater to life on the stage.

The OMTC 2003 events included the following:

"The Nightingale"
Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Behind Forbidden City walls, a young Chinese emperor yearns for something more. But when he finds his heart in the natural song of a little grey bird - and a common servant girl - the status quo is rocked. Can their happiness survive the entrance of a regal princess and a mechanical, golden bird? "The Nightingale" is based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Performances are August 2, 3 & 7 at 8:00 p.m. and August 9 & 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dina Merrill Theater.

"Sarah, Plain and Tall"
Book by Julia Jordan
Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
Music by Laurence O'Keefe
Based on the book by Patricia MacLachlan
Jacob, a widowed Kansas homesteader, advertises for a wife and mother for his children. Sarah, a tough, capable Maine woman, answers. Sarah's not at all what they expected, but for a family too long in mourning she's a breath of fresh air. Performances are August 2 & 3 at 2:30 p.m. and August 6, 8 & 9 at 8:00 p.m. in the Rufus & Margo Rose Theater Barn.

Special Event
"Book! Lyrics! Music!"
The O'Neill continues its popular behind-the-scenes discussion series. Join the creators of the musicals "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and "The Nightingale" to find out how a new music theater work comes together. This free event is open to the public and will take place August 5 at 8:00 p.m. in the Barn.

In addition to the public readings and discussions, writer Beth Blatt and composer Jennifer Giering will be in residence developing their new musical "Caraboo," a fairy tale about a woman who wandered the English countryside in the early 1800s, claiming to be a princess. Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman wrote the book for the musical, based on the 1817 novel by John Matthew Gutch.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, founded in 1964 and based in Waterford, CT, is a learning community dedicated to advancing the American Theater through programs that encourage creative excellence and develop diverse voices and new work.

Ticket prices for OMTC readings of "The Nightingale" and "Sarah, Plain and Tall " are $10 & $12, or $8 on weekdays for O'Neill members. Performance schedule is subject to change.

To reserve tickets or receive a summer schedule, call The O'Neill at 860-443-5378 or the box office at 860-443-1238 (after June 9).

For more information, visit www.TheONeill.org.

-- OnStage Boston

6/9/03

			O'Neill Music Theater Conference Offers New Musicals "The Nightingale" & "Sarah, Plain and Tall" August 2 through 10 Two new musicals, "The Nightingale" and "Sarah, Plain and Tall" will bring to life a romance in the Forbidden City of ancient China and the Kansas homestead of a pioneer family during the 26th annual O'Neill Music Theater Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. During the Conference (July 28 through August 10), established and emerging artists form a community of writers, composers, directors and performers in support of bringing new music theater to life on the stage. The OMTC 2003 events included the following: "The Nightingale" Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater Music by Duncan Sheik Behind Forbidden City walls, a young Chinese emperor yearns for something more. But when he finds his heart in the natural song of a little grey bird - and a common servant girl - the status quo is rocked. Can their happiness survive the entrance of a regal princess and a mechanical, golden bird? "The Nightingale" is based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Performances are August 2, 3 & 7 at 8:00 p.m. and August 9 & 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dina Merrill Theater. "Sarah, Plain and Tall" Book by Julia Jordan Lyrics by Nell Benjamin Music by Laurence O'Keefe Based on the book by Patricia MacLachlan Jacob, a widowed Kansas homesteader, advertises for a wife and mother for his children. Sarah, a tough, capable Maine woman, answers. Sarah's not at all what they expected, but for a family too long in mourning she's a breath of fresh air. Performances are August 2 & 3 at 2:30 p.m. and August 6, 8 & 9 at 8:00 p.m. in the Rufus & Margo Rose Theater Barn. Special Event "Book! Lyrics! Music!" The O'Neill continues its popular behind-the-scenes discussion series. Join the creators of the musicals "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and "The Nightingale" to find out how a new music theater work comes together. This free event is open to the public and will take place August 5 at 8:00 p.m. in the Barn. In addition to the public readings and discussions, writer Beth Blatt and composer Jennifer Giering will be in residence developing their new musical "Caraboo," a fairy tale about a woman who wandered the English countryside in the early 1800s, claiming to be a princess. Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman wrote the book for the musical, based on the 1817 novel by John Matthew Gutch. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, founded in 1964 and based in Waterford, CT, is a learning community dedicated to advancing the American Theater through programs that encourage creative excellence and develop diverse voices and new work. Ticket prices for OMTC readings of "The Nightingale" and "Sarah, Plain and Tall " are $10 & $12, or $8 on weekdays for O'Neill members. Performance schedule is subject to change. To reserve tickets or receive a summer schedule, call The O'Neill at 860-443-5378 or the box office at 860-443-1238 (after June 9). For more information, visit www.TheONeill.org. -- OnStage Boston 6/9/03

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