FAMOUS tells the story of two small town girls who run away from their unhappy homes to find fame and fortune in 1940's Hollywood, during an era of crooked cops, movie moguls and politicians. Lila dreams of becoming a dramatic actress just like Hedy Lamarr. Best gal pal Teresa dreams of becoming a musical star just like Betty Grable. The choices they make on their road to fame trigger an unexpected crisis that pushes their relationship to the ultimate edge.
This original musical merges a contemporary score with the film noir world to create a unique look at friendship, love, ambition and the corruption of innocent dreams.
| LILA: |
A strikingly beautiful small town girl with strong ambition and determination to forge a new life motivated by an unhappy and dangerous family situation. Age range 17-22.
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| TERESA: |
Lila's best friend. A follower early on in their relationship, she ultimately finds great strength and success in her own life. Throughout, she has an uncanny sixth sense when it comes to Lila and is deeply connected to her, almost like a twin. Age range 16-21.
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- Staged Reading of FAMOUS at Ensemble Studio Theatre's Memberfest 2007.
- Staged reading of FAMOUS at Ensemble Studio Theatre's Octoberfest 2008.
- Workshop/staged reading 2009 with direction by Christine
O'Grady.
- Lark Theatre Winter Writer's Retreat with Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), January 2010.
- Finalist for the New York Coalition of Women in the Arts and Media competition: Women Working with Women.
- Courtney Reed, Lauren Ahsley Zakrin star in FAMOUS reading, December 2011
Winner of the TRU New Musical Award
YVONNE ADRIAN (Book) B.M.I. Musical Theatre Workshop; (Harrington Award) Nor'mal: a family musical; Transport Group, Directed by Jack Cummings III. Jonathan Larson & TRU Award with creative team, Cheryl Stern & Tom Kochan. Also Gene Game, commissioned by Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Audience, Jack Cummings III Director, Drama Desk Nomination. NYFA grant: Artists Arts Award. Legendary Siren; NYFA Grant. Flyboy; Ensemble Studio Theatre Marathon, published by Smith & Kraus. Additional writer, Are We There Yet? New project: Famous: a Hollywood Musical.
CHERYL STERN (Lyrics) A Broadway veteran actress and writer, Cheryl starred as the Old Lady in Mary Zimmerman's acclaimed adaptation of CANDIDE at the Huntington Theatre this fall. She recently appeared in the 2010 Tony Award Winning LA CAGE AU FOLLES on Broadway. She is the lyricist of Nor'mal: a family musical (Transport Group, starring Barbara Walsh; Jonathan Larson Award & TRU Award with creative team, Yvonne Adrian and Tom Kochan). Other credits include: Transport Group's hit Off Broadway production of The Audience (Drama Desk nom., Best Musical), Are We There Yet? a new revue written with Jim Hindman, Ray Roderick and John Glaudini, Requiem for William, The Gene Game (EST), contributing writer of the Off B'way revue, That's Life! (Outer Critic's nom.), Buffalonia (solo performance, EST), In the Cracks (Triad, CNBC's America's Talkin'), A Christmas Survival Guide (contributing lyricist; Samuel French) and Being Audrey with Jim Hindman and Ellen Weiss (NEA grant; Transport Group Spring 2009). Cheryl is a graduate of Northwestern. www.cherylstern.com
TOM KOCHAN (Music) In addition to his work with Stern and Adrian, career highlights include: The Elephant Man starring Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson at Williamstown Theatre Festival, two plays with Arthur Miller (at Roundabout and Williamstown), five CD's with James Galway (on RCA Records), three NYC productions with film maker Mike Leigh (for Scott Elliott's New Group), the Drama Desk nominated The Audience (for Transport Group) and Dave Eigenberg's movie Fish. He is the proud recipient of an Emmy Award for his work on As The World Turns. www.tomkochanmusic.com
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