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McBroom's A Woman of Will Opens Off-Bway Oct. 2

By: Jul. 21, 2005
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Multi-talented Golden Globe-winning cabaret and theatre star Amanda McBroom will star in a new musical that she has co-written with Joel Silberman. Entitled A Woman of Will, it will start previews on Thursday, September 15th at off-Broadway's Daryl Roth Theatre before opening on Sunday, October 2nd.

Presented by Ashley Road Productions, A Woman of Will features lyrics by McBroom, music by Silberman and a book by both; Silberman also directs. According to production notes, "A Woman of Will is the musical adventure of a writer in crisis – both personal and professional. Hired to finish the lyrics of a Broadway-bound musical version of The Merchant of Venice, Kate faces the demands of an unrelenting deadline in addition to important decisions about her marriage and future. In desperation, she reaches out to Shakespeare's leading ladies for guidance. What follows is a celebration of life in a crackling display of wit and wisdom, bursting forth from 17 original songs." In its June 2004 premiere at The Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, CA , the musical was called Lady Macbeth Sings the Blues.

A Woman of Will
features scenic, projection and lighting design by Trefoni Michael Rizzi; costume design by Tobin Ost and sound design by Lewis Mead, as well as orchestrations by two-time Tony nominee Larry Hochman.

In 1979, McBroom's song "The Rose" (from the Bette Midler film of the same title) became a #1 hit, and she received a Golden Globe Award. As a recording artist, she has released "Growing Up in Hollywood Town" (in collaboration with pianist Lincoln Mayorga) and "West of Oz" for the Sheffield Labs label; "Dreaming," "Midnight Matinee," "A Waiting Heart" and "Portraits" for her own Gecko Records label; and "Amanda McBroom Live From Rainbow and Stars" for DRG Records. As a performer, McBroom has starred in the New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and European productions of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, on Broadway in Seesaw, and as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Desiree in A Little Night Music and as the title role of Mame. Her many New York cabaret and concert appearances include Carnegie Hall, the Russian Tea Room and Rainbow & Stars. The cast album of her musical Heartbearts, which has played at regional theatres around the country, has been recorded on the Varese Sarabande label. McBroom is also the lyricist for the new musical Dangerous Beauty, which is being presented at Vassar College's Powerhouse Theatre this summer.

Silberman enjoys a multi-faceted career as a concert performer, composer, conductor, producer, director and educator. Most recently, he arranged and directed the world premiere of A Time for Love, the new Maltby/Shire review (Schoolhouse Theater, Croton Falls, NY) and premiered his one-man show, Keep the Music Playing (The Chelsea Festival, London, England; Four Winds Festival, Bermagui, Australia). Next season he will direct My Enemy, My Friend, a world-premiere play at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, CA. Other productions Silberman has produced, directed and/or conducted include TDF's 25th Anniversary all-star tribute to Harold Prince, Broadway Applauds Lincoln Center, Ignite the Light for UNICEF, and Hair for the Next Generation, the 20th anniversary celebration of the legendary musical.

For more information on McBroom, visit www.amcbroom.com.




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