Womyn in 3 - a new musical by Caren Lyn Manuel
Womyn in 3 - a new musical by Caren Lyn Manuel
Kris2
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#0Womyn in 3 - a new musical by Caren Lyn Manuel
Posted: 10/28/04 at 2:44am
I swear I'm not a shill. Don't hurt me. I will be bumping up this thread now and then though. Support live theater =)
You want new voices on the musical theater scene? This is the show to see. It's still developing and growing, but it is being staged for ONE performance (3rd staged performance ever, not including the reading). I have heard the revisions are great.
Caren Lyn Manuel (standby in Brooklyn, previously in Rent, Evita on tour, etc.) wrote the book, music and lyrics for this rocking musical called Womyn in 3. She also performs in it as Infinity Blue, the character who leads you through the show. I saw it at the Fringe Festival this past summer. My only complaint was that there was a bit of an awkward shift in tone partway through the second act for the 3rd story. However the finale eased you right back in gorgeously. It became one of my favorite musicals of all time. It’s being staged on November 3rd at 7 PM.
SEE THIS SHOW. I encourage everyone to make plans and get tickets. Get your butts down there. It'll blow your mind. Caren is incredibly talented. The show has a great message, the costumes are great, the direction is fabulous, and it's just so creative and original. A very dark Cabaret-like feel to it. The music, lyrics, choral arrangements, and vocals are top notch. R&B/rock belting. The change in venue worries me a little bit, because the SoHo Playhouse created the perfect atmosphere. It was very dark and intimate.
You'll be sorry if you miss it. I hope you love it. I did. And yes, it’s as strange as it sounds. I saw the very first performance of this show ever. I walked out completely inspired and moved though. The Finale's hauntingly beautiful melody is still resonating in my mind. The show was a psychedelic mental mindf*ck. So unique, intelligent and thoughtful. It has a lot of heart and just a beautiful soul. I haven't walked out of the theater so satisfied in a long time. I am going to try my damnedest to make it to this show, but it's a few hours away and it'll cost me a decent amount of money to get there. Plus I have to cut one class. I think it's worth it though. I'm dying to see how it's evolved.
New summary:
The Atomic Bar & Chill is situated in the womb of the universe. The house band is the creatrix, Great Mother of all things, fronted by Infinity Blue, the personification of will. Together with their cracked out chorus of atoms, they create a journey.... a karmic ride dripping with soul and spoken word guaranteed to open your minds and deepen your smile. Get ready for the ride of your life...... because Time is a Mother....and she's coming!
Fringe Festival booklet summary:
You have entered "The Atomic Bar & Chill," a dive club in an alternate Universe. The house band is the Creatrix of this Universe, the Great Mother of all Things. Infinity Blue, lead singer of the Band, is the personification of will; the will of the Creatrix & all living things. The mood is dirty & cracked out; the patrons in the bar are atoms, burnt out, beat...no one's doing much of anything. Perhaps out of boredom, Infinity leads as they begin to create a story of three Souls and their paths through three simultaneous 'lives'; PAST (a 1500's European witch trial), PRESENT (a love triangle on a slave plantation) & FUTURE (an interpretation of a Native American tale of ultimate sacrifice & love). See what happens as the three Souls change physical form from one 'life' to the next, & how their decisions effect themselves, each other, & the lives they lead (past, present & future). When the story reaches the end of it's third cycle, the atoms leave the bar with an uplifted & broadened perception of the connection between all things - what started off as a little night club creation game turned out to have truly created a change in them all...even Infinity Blue, who returns to her place as singer of the band & bride to the Creatrix.
*starring Caren Lyn Manuel, Dominique Roy, Corey James Manuel, Dean Nigro, Krystal Washington, Haneefah Wood, Mark Richard Ford, Sebastian Arcelus, Izetta Fang, Kimberly Schwenzer, Stu James, Spencer Jones, Eric Stretch, Erika Weber, Andrea Young, with special guest Frenchie Davis.
Henry St. Settlement
466 Grand Street (at Pitt Street)
New York, NY 10002
http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=WOM46 - One more week to buy tickets.
For the hesitant:
A review from the Fringe Festival on the bottom left by David Pumo. His last line describes what I felt. - http://www.nytheatre.com/fringeweb/f04review_07.htm
There is also a livejournal community for the show started by a couple fans - http://www.livejournal.com/community/womyn_in_3/
Feel free to join and ask questions about the show there.
Updated On: 10/28/04 at 02:44 AM
MasterLcZ
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
#1re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/28/04 at 5:55am
Sorry, kiddo.
Any show with WOMYN anything in the title makes me giggle at the recollection of the great "W-O-M-Y-N" number (sung at a lesbian hootenanny) as performed by the great Kathy & Mo.
"Christ, Bette Davis?!?!"
Updated On: 10/28/04 at 05:55 AM
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#2re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/28/04 at 11:19am
I saw this show in the Fringe festival and absolutely LOVED it. I was really impressed by how well put together it was, the unique storyline and seriously, the cast. It's an incredible cast, and even THAT would make it worth it. But the music is great and the whole idea of the show kind of blows my mind. I'm really excited to see this show again.
And yeah, the WomYn thing is kind of eh... but I swear it's not one of those in your face feminist things, it DOES have that theme, but I'm the most non-feminist female in existant and I loved the way it was done in the show.
NativeNewYorker
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/03
#3re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/28/04 at 12:55pm
I also saw this show...Caren absolutely blew me away...this tiny girl and then she opens her mouth and this powerful voice comes out! I think big things are in store for her...
I loved the message of the show as well...always been a believer in karma.
#4re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/28/04 at 4:49pmI saw her as Mimi in RENT and she had one of the best voices I've ever heard, I wished she sang EVERY song.
AlienOnBroadway
Stand-by Joined: 7/13/03
#5re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/28/04 at 7:25pm
Caren has a phenomenal voice, but I am happy she lets the others sing too Barnaby. There really wasn't a 'weak link' in the entire show.
I saw it at the Fringe too and it blew me away! The book and music are very tight and very unique. The way she spins the theme, that by nature can be very 'hard to pin down,' is just remarkable. There aren't many things like this out there and I highly recommend it to everyone. Go! You won't be sorry.
I personally can't wait to see it again!
Kris2
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#6re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/29/04 at 11:42am
MasterLcZ: Sorry, kiddo.
Any show with WOMYN anything in the title makes me giggle at the recollection of the great "W-O-M-Y-N" number (sung at a lesbian hootenanny) as performed by the great Kathy & Mo.
That made me snort like a fool.
Barnaby12345: I saw her as Mimi in RENT and she had one of the best voices I've ever heard, I wished she sang EVERY song.
Caren is one of the best Mimis I've ever seen. She sounds even better in Womyn in 3 if you can imagine that. Get your butt down there!
I really hope I can get to the show. I'm way too excited to see what's been revised or added. It just has so much potential.
AlienOnBroadway
Stand-by Joined: 7/13/03
#7re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/30/04 at 6:25pm
I just wanted to say re: changes to the show:
One of the guys in the show said that Caren HAS changed up some things and that they are "mind blowing!"
StateOfJade
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/03
#8re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/30/04 at 8:13pmI saw Womyn while it was at the Fringe. Not my favorite show, but Caren is simply incredible, as is the rest of the cast. I also saw Caren as Mimi in RENT (over a year ago) and she blew the roof off the theatre.
"I really liked the show--Wish I saw Boy's Night...Am I allowed as I am not a boy anymore:)"-duffyny1
erinrebecca
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/29/04
#9re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/31/04 at 4:23pmCaryn is an amazingly talented woman. And her b/f isn't bad either!
rainbow high
Chorus Member Joined: 10/31/04
#10re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 10/31/04 at 4:59pm
In addition to being "mindblowing" I also heard that "You are not READY for this show." Probably from the same person, cause I also heard the terms "It'll blow your !@#$ing head off!" in the same discussion.
Anywho, I'm a huge fan of Caren's & I can't wait to see this show! Her performance at Macy's on Friday just makes me even more excited.
Kris2
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#11re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 11/1/04 at 3:37pm
Wednesday! Don't forget.
I want reviews from all you lucky people that are going =(
#12re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 11/2/04 at 3:46pmI went to this when it first started playing. I didn't like it to much. To confusing.
"Life will be frozen peaches and cream.
Baby, dream Your Dream" ~ SC
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#13re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 11/2/04 at 4:00pm
I actually really liked how they played with time. Especially since the narrator of the whole story kind of helped the audience keep track of what was going on.
Something tells me it's going to be a little clearer as well. I made it to a reading of the show after the Fringe, and already, there were some improvements, and I've since heard that it's very different from how it was before.
I'm very excited.
Kris2
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#14re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 11/2/04 at 6:00pm
Honestly, Infinity Blue's character made everything very clear to me. AND I saw the first performance of the show ever, so I think that says something for clarity.
Tomorrow night!
Kris2
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#15re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 11/4/04 at 11:40am*bump* Alright chickadees, which of you were lucky enough to go last night? I wanted to cry because I couldn't make it. Heard the revisions were awesome though.
#16re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:22pm
Alright, i went and was quite disapointed.
First of all... my best friend LOVES Krystal Washington... and someone said she was in it, so i brought him along. Ok, she TOTALLY wasnt. boo.
Here was the cast:
(The flyer also said Frenchie Davis made an appearance- not true)
Infinity Blue- Caren Lyn Manuel (Great voice, connect well with the audience.. sometimes a little too much-- if you saw the show, the intermission call was annoying!!!)
Ms. Black- Dominique Roy (Not that great, though i THOUGHT i remembered liking her as Mimi...? what happened?)
Girl #1/Dancer- Andrea Young
Girl #2/Dancer- Erika Weber
Martin Luther- Corey James Manuel (TERRIBLE... are they related?)
Judge- Dean Nigro (ughh, the costume/make up made it impossible to take him seriously.... honeslty, i cant judge his talent becasue it was so hard to believe him...)
Mother- Kimberlyn Crawford (Liked her...)
Brother- Stu James (He was great)
Jude- Moeisha McGill (OMG her voice was SOOOO flat in act one... but her belt was great in act 2.... keep her out of her head voice and shes cute!)
Father- Mark Richord Ford (AMAZING. really, the strongest link in the show, loved him....... yes, amazing.)
Master Black- Sebastian Arcelus (Ughh, dude0 the hair DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU. His presence just annoyed me. Didnt like him as Roger either. eww.)
Fire Speak- Izetta Fang (She wasnt bad, but they didnt have her do enough to judge)
Scorpian- Stu James, again (This was his stronger role of the 2)
Corn Mother- Kimberly Schwenzer (OMG beautiful voice. can she dance? Tracy Turnblad? lets find some role for this girl- she already played Jan in grease, what else is there?)
Dancer- Spencer Jones
Dancer/Choreographer- Eric Stretch (one of the guys from No Authority... remember them? lol. This kid was a cutie, i should have looked for him after the show. hmmmm)
alright. this is a really crap mini review, so i apologize. Overall the show was good for what it was... but honestly couldnt ever hold stong in a theatre or longer then a "one night only" gig. Act 2 was a little better then act one, but still, this show was LONG.
It was great to see so many rent cast members (Past/present... no pun intended). Karmine, Matt...... agh, there were like 2 rows of them. it was sweet.
Can i have my $30 back now?
andyf
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
#17re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 1/29/05 at 1:59am
So apparently there is a FREE (newsieboy, don't you fret) reading of this show on Feb. 8 at 2PM at The Cutting Room (19 West 24th St).
Anyway, does anybody know who's performing?
Andrew, tonight isn't about you! It isn't even about me!!! - [FD]
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#18re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 1/29/05 at 9:35amApparently there has been a few cast changes, though I'm not sure what roles they affect, since Caren has moved people around a bit since the first production. I know the cast still includes Mark Richard Ford, Corey Manuel, Dominique Roy, Dean Nigro, Stu James and Izetta Fang, and I believe added are Haneefah Wood (who was in the first production as the Mother, not in the November production, and now back, I'm guessing as Jude since the Mother from the last production is still involved), Catrice Joseph and Jay Wilkison. There are a few others who's names escape me.
Kris2
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#19re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 1/29/05 at 4:41pm
I believe Jay Wilkison (current swing in Rent) will be taking Sebastian Arcelus's place. Krystal Washington is no longer with the show either. Catrice Joseph has joined the cast. I haven't heard about any other cast changes since the last staging of the show which was a couple months ago but I couldn't get to it.
Full cast should be: Kimberly Crawford, Izetta Fang, Mark Richard Ford, Stu James, Catrice Joseph, Caren Lyn Manuel, Corey James Manuel, Dean Nigro, Dominique Roy, Jay Wilkison & Haneefah Wood.
"..and don't miss the band - "the Creatrix", Great Mother of All Things - Kenny Brescia & his mad musical arrangements!"
I miss Kenny. A lot. I wish he was still with Rent. ::goes to watch Camp::
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#20re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 1/29/05 at 4:50pmThe interesting thing is that the person who played Mother in November is still involved in the show. Haneefah played that role during the Fringe. So either Haneefah is playing Jude (since neither Krystal and it appears Moeisha are still involved) or Corn Mother (as the person who played her in November doesn't appear to be involved either). I would venture to guess that Haneefah will be Jude, and Catrice will be Corn Mother.
Musetta1957
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/03
#21re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 1/29/05 at 7:07pmCorey is her brother, isn't he? I saw Caren as Eponine maaaany years ago and I'm pretty sure she thanked him (by name) in her bio.
Kris2
Featured Actor Joined: 9/30/04
#22re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 1/29/05 at 7:41pmYes, that's her brother. She was very young when she played Eponine though.
TheGaIsSilent
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/25/04
#23re: Womyn in 3 - a new musical
Posted: 2/5/05 at 7:56pmHuh... 2pm.... and my boss IS on vacation...
JOHN LITHGOW
I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!
