Music and Lyrics by Glenna Bowman
Book by Matthew Shead and Glenna Bowman
NEW TRACKS RECORDED IN MAY/JUNE 2021
8 new tracks coming AUGUST 2021
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If you cross AIDA with JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, you get ESTHER, A New Musical. Set in Ancient Persia, ESTHER is the story of a young Jewish woman who confronts racism, persecution and sexism, to save her people. Her quest for justice leads her to the throne of the world's largest empire, where she must break the rules to do what is right, even in the face of insurmountable odds. This traditional story, blended with a contemporary score, is approachable to the modern audience.
The show features 11 lead or supporting roles (5 women and 6 men). It also has ensemble and featured roles for up to 14 actors (although it can be performed with fewer). We have script, fully notated sheet music and recordings from our development work up to this point.
We had our first complete reading of ESTHER in 2018, funded by donations and a grant from the City of Austin. We got audience feedback and are just now finishing our second draft, including a new opening number, a new 11 o’clock number and lyric re-writes for several other songs.
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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!"
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