14 year-old actress, Abigail Shapiro, will play the title role in Liberty: A Monumental New Musical. Directed by Evan Pappas, the new musical will play a limited seven-week engagement at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place) tonight, October 14 through Tuesday, November 25, 2014.
Shapiro has performed on stages all across the country, including
Madison Square Garden as "
Cindy Lou Who" in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Abigail and her younger sister Milly (Matilda) have just released their debut album, "Live at 54 Below: Live Out Loud!"
"The powerfully petite
Abigail Shapiro will bring an unexpected freshness to the monumental role of Liberty," said producer Theresa Wozunk. "Approximately 70,000 children will show up alone at U.S. borders this year, a 50% increase from the year before. Some of these children are coming to meet parents who left years ago; others are escaping violence. We are honored to be able to bring the story of the nation's most notable immigrant to the stage to illustrate with warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty, the challenges faced by immigrants past and present."
Joining Shapiro will be
Emma Rosenthal (Brigadoon) as "Emma Lazurus," Ben McHugh (Mamma Mia!) as "Walker,"
Cheryl Stern (La Cage aux Folles) as "Moscowitz / Schuyler,"
Tom Souhrada (Mary Poppins) as "McKay / Pulitzer,"
Ryan Duncan (Shrek) as "Goodleaf," C.
Mingo Long (South Pacific) as "Samuel," and
Andrew DiTusa as "Giovanni."
Liberty: A Monumental New Musical features a book and lyrics by Dana
Leslie Goldstein with music by
Jon Goldstein and tells the story of a determined, young French immigrant who arrives alone in New York Harbor in 1884. The powerful, sweeping new musical follows Liberty as she struggles to find her place in the ever- evolving country she's come to symbolize. Liberty: A Monumental New Musical was adapted from original material by Dana
Leslie Goldstein,
Jon Goldstein, and
Robert Bruce McIntosh.
Currently preparing for an expanded Off-Broadway run, Liberty: A Monumental New Musical will play four performances weekly for the general public and school groups. The new musical made its world premiere as a full production in 2012 at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, Connecticut to rave reviews. The musical has been the centerpiece of many events celebrating the Statue of Liberty, including the 125th Anniversary and the reopening of the crown. High-profile readings and workshop presentations have featured the talents of
Diana DeGarmo,
Sasha Allen, and
Dee Roscioli in the role of "Liberty."
The creative team for Liberty: A Monumental New Musical also includes musical direction and arrangements by
Jeffrey Lodin, sets by Tim Golebiewski and costumes by Debbi Hobson. R.
Erin Craig is Executive Producer and General Management is by
La Vie Productions.
The performance schedule for Liberty: A Monumental New Musical will be as follows: Mondays at 2 p.m.; Tuesdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and Sundays at 6 p.m. Single tickets are $69 and are available online at
www.libertythemusical.com or
www.theatre80.net. Discounted tickets are available for students and groups of 10 or more. For more information on group sales or for help arranging a group, email toni@realemn.com.
