Photo Flash: Molly Pope is SECOND TO NUN at Zeiders American Dream Theater

Zeiders American Dream Theater presents the world premiere new musical, Second To Nun, running June 29 through August 5, 2017. Opening night was Saturday, July 1, coinciding with Canada's 150th Anniversary. Performances continue Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7pm.

Featuring book and lyrics by award-winning librettist Anton Dudley, and music by Broadway songwriter Michael Cooper, Second to Nun is based on an inspiring true story of inclusion, love, and "living life without walls," that explores - through soaring song and monologue - the heroic, adventurous account of a fearless pioneer woman, not well known outside of Canada - until now.

Celebrated New York City performer Molly Pope portrays Canadian Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, reliving her death-defying journey to bring women to New France in this immersive solo musical that celebrates the spirit of the city of Montreal, the power of faith, the persistence of invention, and the importance of staying true to your calling, even when you're the only one who hears it.

In an exclusive interview with Montreal Theatre Hub, Dudley and Cooper describe Pope's captivating performance as "one that both enchants and rallies you; you trust her to care for your infant child and also bulldoze a forest. Molly is a true showperson and yet, in every moment, is honest and loving. She has a timeless quality about her that allows her to inhabit Marguerite at each stage of her remarkable life. And that voice! When Molly Pope sings, you're converted."

Anton Dudley directs, with musical supervision and arrangements by Joseph Trefler, lighting design by Jeff Brangan, properties design by Sam Flint, Peter Greydanus plays cello, with musical direction by Bart Kuebler. The production stage manager is Erin Hollis.

Molly Pope is a singer and actor whose shows have played Joe's Pub, Feinstein's/54 Below, Feinstein's at the Regency, Ars Nova, The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, OBERON (A.R.T.), Teatro ZinZanni (Joe's Pub Seattle), and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Australia. She is the recipient of both the 2016 Bistro Award for Creative Cabaret Artistry and the 2016 MAC Award for Musical Comedy. She has been named a Time Out New York "Top Ten Cabaret Act of 2008" and 2012 and a Village Voice Best of NYC 2011 for "Best Singer To Turn Life Into A Cabaret." Most recently she recorded her first album, "An Audience with Molly Pope," live at Joe's Pub. She has also performed at The Cafe Carlyle ("Tales From The Jazz Age"), the Afterglow Parade" at Joe's Pub, and as a resident artist at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and The Orchard Project. Stage credits include FOUND (Atlantic Theater Co., Philadelphia Theater Co), Horseplay, or the Fickle Mistress (LaMama ETC/Theatre Askew), Dan Fishback's The Material World (Dixon Place). www.mollypope.com.

Anton Dudley (Book & Lyrics) is a NY-based playwright, director, and librettist. His plays have premiered Off-Broadway with Playwrights Realm, Second Stage Theater, Cherry Lane Theater, and at Theater Row. Regionally, his plays and musicals have been produced by Signature Theater, LaJolla Playhouse, Walnut Street Theater, Williamstown Theater Festival, Adirondack Theater Festival, and Ensemble Studio Theater, and are published by Sam French, Playscripts, Applause, and Vintage. His play Letter to the End of the World was a finalist for the 2012 Lambda Literary Award in LGBT Drama. As a director, Anton directed the D.C. regional premieres of Suzan-Lori Parks' Venus, Miguel Pinero's Short Eyes, and Tracy Letts' Killer Joe, and the North American premiere of Jim Cartwright's I Licked a Slag's Deodorant, and was co-director of Studio Theater's Hair, which won Helen Hayes Awards for both Outstanding Resident Musical and Direction.

Michael Cooper (Music) BROADWAY: It Shoulda Been You (Outer Critics Circle Nomination, Additional Lyrics). OFF-BROADWAY: City Of (Music). REGIONAL: Love, Always (Music & Lyrics), Zeiders American Dream Theater. LONDON: Luna Park (Lyrics and Additional Material), From Page To Stage. PARIS: Love, Always @ Broadway Au Carré. 2005 Jonathan Larson Award Winner. Williams College; NYU GMTWP. Sunfish (Co-Book/Lyrics) Top Jury Honor DIMF Korea; Second To Nun (Music), Playwrights Realm, Phoenix Theater. Selected for NAMT, ASCAP/Disney Workshop, and Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. www.michaelcoopermusicandlyrics.com

Second To Nun runs June 29 - August 5 at 7:00pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $23 at the door or online at AmericanDreamTheater.org

Zeiders American Dream Theater is located at 4573 Bank Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Photo Credit: Sherry Shoots Shows

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