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1
Living the Dream
05:10
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2
Make Sure The Wine Is Poured
03:39
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3
Beauty Care
04:10
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4
A Gilded Cage
05:11
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5
You and I
04:38
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6
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
01:55
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7
A Million Miles Away
03:13
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8
History
01:53
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9
Adonai, Teshu'ati
03:36
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10
Have A Parade
03:47
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11
The Moment Is Now, Reprise
01:41
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Music and Lyrics by Glenna Bowman
Book by Glenna Bowman & Matthew Shead
Set in Ancient Persia, "Esther, A New Musical," is the tale of a young Jewish woman who dreams of traveling the world. But when the king's anti-Semitic advisor conscripts young virgins from across the land to choose a new queen, Esther finds herself unwillingly at the center of the king's court, where she discovers the most important choices in life are often those we make when we are out of options.
This original work was presented as a staged reading. Actors presented the entire show, including dialogue and songs, but without sets or full costumes. Audience members provided feedback on the show that is being used to inform future development work.
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Audience quotes from Stage Reading, 2/10/2018
"Spectacular!"
"I loved the plot and characters!"
"Gorgeous music! First class talent."
"Clever, funny, substantial"
"Incredibly talented cast!"
"Overall entertaining and inspiring show!"
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CAST
ESTHER (HADASSAH) - Ryan Smith
MORDECAI - Steve Williams
KING XERXES - Matthew Redden
DALIA - Jessica Brynn Cohen
HARBONA - Phil Rodriguez
HEGAI - Kirk Kelso
TAMIR - Bennett Neiman
SURI - Emily Villarreal
HAMAN - Creighton Moench
ZERESH - Laura Freeman
AMIRA - Elizabeth Neiman
HATHAK - Jeremiah Abdullah
JUILY - Susan Johnston Taylor
ENSEMBLE - Michele' Crowder
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DRAMATIST GUILD RECOGNIZES SONG FROM "ESTHER"
Audience favorite, A Gilded Cage, made the list of finalists for the Dramatist Guild (DG) National Conference Songwriter Showcase scheduled for July 27th in New York City. According to Cheryl Coons, Chicago Regional Representative who coordinated the showcase selection process, 117 songs totaling over 6 hours of recorded music, were submitted for consideration and only 10 were chosen for the showcase. While Glenna Bowman's moving ballad was not chosen for the showcase, Coons said, "A Gilded Cage was thought of very highly by the committee." ESTHER co-writers Glenna Bowman and Matthew Shead are honored to have this song recognized among a national pool of talented songwriters.
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Make a tax deductible donation to help enhance and advance this production.
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This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Rehearsal space provided by Manchaca United Methodist Church.
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