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Elizabeth Searle

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Elizabeth Searle BIO

ELIZABETH SEARLE (Libretto, Concept and Book) first wrote about 'Tonya & Nancy' in her novella Celebrities In Disgrace, which the New York Times Book Review called 'a miniature masterpiece.' She is the author of four books of fiction: My Body To You, Celebrities In Disgrace, A Four-Sided Bed and most recently Girl Held In Home. She has a new novel forthcoming in 2016. She created both the concept and libretto for both Tonya & Nancy: The Opera and Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera. The Rock Opera will be produced in NYC as an official selection at the New York Musical Festival in July 2015, produced by Paul Boghosian and NYMF. The rock opera, with music by Michael Teoli, premiered in Portland, OR, with triangle productions, produced and directed by Don Horn. It won strong reviews ("Brilliant and touching") and was nominated for Portland Area Music Awards. It went on to be reworked and produced by Paul Boghosian and Harborside Films in Boston at the ART's Club Oberon theater where it made a critically acclaimed run in 2011. In 2013, it had a staged reading in NYC and in 2014 sold-out club dates in Hollywood. The show has drawn national and international media coverage. The one-act Tonya & Nancy opera, with music by Abigail Al-Doory Cross, has been performed in Boston and at Opera Vista in Houston, TX, where it was chosen as one of the top three new operas of the year. It was produced in Minneapolis/St. Paul in 2010 and in 2014, with Previews 'on ice.' Elizabeth's novel A Four-Sided Bed is now in development as a feature film. Bravo Sierra Pictures produced a short film of Elizabeth's Celebrities in Disgrace. The film premiered at the Woods Hole International Film Festival and has screened at festivals around the country. Elizabeth's one-act play Stolen Girl Song was performed in ME and MA in 2013. Elizabeth's theater works have been featured in stories on GOOD MORNING AMERICA, CBS, CNN, NPR, the AP and more. She teaches fiction and scriptwriting at Stonecoast MFA and lives in Arlington, MA with her husband and son.

Elizabeth Searle News


TheatreZone To Present Florida Premiere Of TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


TheatreZone, a Naples-based professional equity theatre specializing in Broadway musicals and celebrating its 15th season, will present the Florida premiere of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera February 6-16, 2020. Performances are scheduled for 7:30p.m. on Feb. 6-9 and 13-16; 2:00 p.m. matinee performances will be presented on Feb. 8-9 and 15-16.

TheatreZone To Present Florida Premiere Of TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA Starring Andrea McArdle


TheatreZone, a Naples-based professional equity theatre specializing in Broadway musicals and celebrating its 15th season, will present the Florida premiere of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera February 6-16, 2020. Performances are scheduled for 7:30p.m. on Feb. 6-9 and 13-16; 2:00 p.m. matinee performances will be presented on Feb. 8-9 and 15-16.

Andrea McArdle Will Star In TheatreZone's TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Andrea McArdle, whose successful musical theater career includes playing sleazy Sally Bowles in a?oeCabareta?? and sleazier prostitute in a?oeOliver,a?? will return to TheatreZone's stage in February in a tour de force dual role as the mothers of both Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan for the Florida premiere of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera.

Photo Flash: Abingdon Theatre Company Celebrates Opening NIght of TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA:


Abingdon Theatre Company, in association with Paul Boghosian and Jim Kierstead, Executive Producer, will present a special one-night only concert of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera, a darkly comedic original musical done with a great deal of heart, with libretto and concept by Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, on Monday evening, February 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street).

Abingdon Theatre Company Sets Cast For TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Abingdon Theatre Company, in association with Paul Boghosian and Jim Kierstead, Executive Producer, will present a special one-night only concert of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera, a darkly comedic original musical done with a great deal of heart, with libretto and concept by Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, on Monday evening, February 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street).

Abingdon Theatre Company Announces Two Special Events In February - TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA and THE PROMPTER


Abingdon Theatre Company announced today two special one-night only events to be presented next month.

BWW Album Review: TONYA AND NANCY Gets High Marks


Figure skating and musical theatre feel like perfect partners: both involve heightened drama, intense training, and occasionally questionable costume choices. So it seems incredible that there hasn't really been a musical about figure skating before - until now.

Broadway Records Announces TONYA & NANCY (HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ROCK OPERA)


Broadway Records today announced that Tonya & Nancy (Highlights from the Rock Opera) - Live at Feinstein's/54 Below will be released digitally and in stores on Friday, September 28, 2018. The album is currently available for pre- order at www.BroadwayRecords.com.

Broadway Records Announces TONYA & NANCY Live At Feinstein's/54 Below


Broadway Records today announced that Tonya & Nancy (Highlights from the Rock Opera) - Live at Feinstein's/54 Below will be released digitally and in stores on Friday, September 28, 2018. The album is currently available for pre-order at www.BroadwayRecords.com.

Lorna Luft, David Yazbek, Broadway Loves Demi Lovato, and More Lead This Week at Feinstein's/54 Below


This week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Tony LePage, Nancy Opel, and More Complete Cast of TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA at 54 Below


FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, announces more exciting casting for its Olympic special concert of songs from Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera on Feb. 13, 2018 at 9:30 PM.

Linda and Laura Benanti, Carmen Cusack, and More Headline 54 Below in February


This February, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Infamous Skating Rivalry to Hit Feinsteins'/54 Below in TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Ashley Spencer as 'Tonya' and Lauren Worsham as 'Nancy' in a concert of songs from Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera' on Feb. 13, 2018 at 9:30 PM.

Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre Presents TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan "knee whack" ice skating scandal. With book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, direction and choreography by Jon Martinez and musical direction by Aaron Benham, TONYA AND NANCY will play November 26 - December 30, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. 

Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, presents TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan "knee whack" ice skating scandal. With book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, direction and choreography by Jon Martinez and musical direction by Aaron Benham, TONYA AND NANCY will play November 26 - December 30, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press opening is Tuesday, November 29 at 7:30 pm.

Amanda Horvath and Courtney Mack to Star in Underscore Theatre's TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan 'knee whack' ice skating scandal.

Tituss Burgess, Sierra Boggess, Bryce Pinkham and More to Perform at NYMF's 2016 Gala


The New York Musical Festival (NYMF), previously known as The New York Musical Theater Festival, will honor Tony and Grammy Award winning composer and lyricist Duncan Sheik, Casting Director Tara Rubin, and former NYMF Board Member and Treasurer Frank Troutman at its 2016 Gala hosted by Mo Rocca on Sunday, November 13 at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan (240 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036).

Underscore Theatre Company in Association with Harborside Films Presents TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan "knee whack" ice skating scandal. With book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, direction and choreography by Jon Martinez and musical direction by Aaron Benham.

NYMF to Honor Duncan Sheik and More at 2016 Gala, Hosted by Mo Rocca


The New York Musical Festival (NYMF), previously known as The New York Musical Theater Festival, will honor Tony and Grammy Award winning composer and lyricist Duncan Sheik, Casting Director Tara Rubin, and former NYMF Board Member and Treasurer Frank Troutman at its 2016 Gala hosted by Mo Rocca on Sunday, November 13 at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan (240 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036).

Chicago Premiere! Underscore Theatre Company Presents TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA


Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan "knee whack" ice skating scandal. With book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, direction and choreography by Jon Martinez and musical direction by Aaron Benham, TONYA AND NANCY will play November 25 - December 30, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 16, 2016 at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150.

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