Elaine Pechacek to Showcase New Musical THE LADY JULIANA 4/26-4/27

On Sunday, April 26th and Monday, April 27th, local award-winning composer Elaine Pechacek and The Squeaky Wheel Theatre Project will present a 60-minute showcase of Pechacek's new musical "The Lady Juliana," before the show makes its official world premiere as part of the York New Musical Festival in York, England this May.

"The Lady Juliana" is a powerful story of human triumph in the face of adversity. As she sails from England to the Australian colonies in 1789, British transport ship The Lady Juliana carries a cargo of woman convicts accused of crimes from petty theft to prostitution. Despite being deemed worthless by their society, this group of resilient woman find friendship, unity, and strength as they band together as sisters to rebuild the lives that were taken away either by fault or fate.

The showcase will take place at The Queen's Head Theatre in Winter Park, FL (5429 Lake Howell Rd., Winter Park, FL 32792), and will begin at 8:00pm on both nights. Tickets are available now for just $10 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lady-juliana-showcase-tickets-16410044886, and will also be available at the door. There will also be a talkback and surveys handed out after both performances in which audience members are encouraged to provide constructive feedback on the show. Snacks and beverages will also be available.

The cast of "The Lady Juliana" features some of Central Florida's most exciting performers, including Tiana Akers (Rachel Hoddy, Prostitution and Theft), Brittany Cheek (Ann Marsh, Petty Theft), Ralph Prentice Daniel (Surgeon Richard Alley, The Juliana's Doctor), Beki Herrbach (Elizabeth Barnsley, Shoplifter of Distinction), Joshian Morales (Lieutenant Edgar Thomas, The Juliana's Lieutenant), Kayla Kelsay Morales (Mary Anderson, Petty Theft), Kayla Patterson (Mary Wade, Highway Robbery), and Mark Richard Taylor (Captain Aitken).

Elaine Pechacek is a freelance composer and studio musician with over 100 published works. In addition to "The Lady Juliana," she has written four musicals, "When," "Delayed," "FrankenChrist," and "Seasons," along with two song cycles, "Girlie Parts" and "Habits & Addictions." Pechacek is also the co-writer for Orlando Fringe Festival favorite "Happy Pink Girl Sings!" Pechacek, a member of NYSTA and NATS, owns and operates Music from the Heart Studio, where she teaches piano, composition, and is a professional vocal coach.

"Five years ago, I was watching a PBS special entitled 'The Floating Brothel.' It was about the convict ship called The Lady Juliana and its voyage to Australia," Pechacek said. "I was completely drawn in by the story; a story of woman surviving in unimaginable circumstances. I immediately knew that I had to do something to bring this moment in history to the stage."

"After five years of growing as a playwright and composer," she admits, "I still have some more tinkering to do and songs to add, but this is a story that speaks for itself. I am so humbled to be the one to help bring it to audiences."

For more information on "The Lady Juliana" and The Squeaky Wheel Theatre company, visit their website at www.squeakywheeltheatreproject.com. You can also follow them on Twitter @SqueakyWheelTP or "Like" them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SqueakyWheelTheatreProject and join the "Lady Juliana" Showcase event page www.facebook.com/events/377277269131473.

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