Following sold-out runs at Stage 72 (158 West 72nd Street), The Bijou Theatre, and Barrington Stage Company (Tony-Award winning William Finn's Cabaret Series) the incredibly talented and inspirational Amy Oestreicher will bring her hit one-woman musical Gutless & Grateful back to NYC as part of the United Solo Festival with a sold-out performance on October 11th at 4pm, and an additional performance tonight, November 13th at 9pm. In this moving and entertaining evening of song, performer Amy Oestreicher weaves her near death experience and unique personal story with an eclectic set of songs, highlighting the disappointments, struggles, triumphs and humor in her life.
Nominated for "Best Theatre Debut" in 2012 (Broadway World), Gutless & Grateful: A Musical Feast takes audiences on a musical journey of hope, determination, and perseverance as
Amy Oestreicher shares her gratitude, her strength and her beautiful voice with the world. The show was Created/Conceived by
Amy Oestreicher and is Co-written and Co-directed by
Amy Oestreicher and
Jerold Goldstein. The show also features the song "Still Alive" which was written for Amy by acclaimed composer
David Friedman with lyrics by TV personality and lyricist
Kathie Lee Gifford. The band includes Alex Eckhardt, (Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots) Jim Bannow and Matt Oestreicher (Amateur Night at the Apollo house band).
Growing up, theatre was Amy's entire universe. She trained and performed professionally as a child and a teenager, but in April of her senior year of high school, everything changed. Amy abruptly developed a blood clot, her stomach exploded in the operating room of the hospital, and after both her lungs collapsed, she nearly died. After waking up from a coma months later covered in tubes, bags, and drains, she was told she had no stomach anymore and couldn't eat or drink and nobody could tell her if she ever would be able to again. Three years and 24 surgeries later, Amy's digestive system was miraculously reconstructed and she could begin putting her life back together.
Even with bags leaking, machines beeping, and her planned life on hold, Amy never wanted to feel like a "patient" or a "victim" - rather than mourn her hunger, she started a chocolate business, a food blog, learned karate, starred in musicals, put up three art shows, and taught nursery school. She learned not to take anything for granted - like the first time she could sip water in three years.
Songs will include "Just Around the Riverbend," "You There in the Back Row," "Food Glorious Food," "What About Today," "Still Alive" by
David Friedman and
Kathie Lee Gifford and "Corner" by
Amy Oestreicher. The evening will feature a four-piece band led by
Jerold Goldstein on piano, Jim Bannow on drums, and Amy's brother Matt Oestreicher on guitar. Matt also plays in the band at The Apollo every week.
2014 United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, celebrates its 5th anniversary season and its dynamic expansion in scope and popularity. All shows are staged at Theatre Row: 410 West 42nd Street, New York City. The October 11th performance has sold out, but November 13th (9pm) tickets have just become available. No standing room. More information is available at
www.unitedsolo.org. No standing room.
Tickets, with a price of $19.25 (including a $1.25 theatre restoration charge) are available at the Theatre Row Box Office and online through Telecharge. You may also call Telecharge at +1-212-239-6200. For more information on Oestreicher's unique story and highly esteemed show, visit
www.amyoes.com.
