The autobiographical story of a young woman conquering the world of jazz music, songwriting, and motherhood in late-20th-century NYC, in the shadow of a brilliant, domineering mother who smashed obstacles in the sexist 1950s to blaze a pioneering career as a world-renowned conductor.
Lorna Cooke deVaron, a musical powerhouse to whom much 20th century choral music was dedicated, was labeled “Lawyer’s Wife” in newspaper headlines. Her daughter, Tina, born the day Lorna’s oldest child was institutionalized for life, was steered away from music by this tormented soul. In NYC Tina fought her own demons to become a jazz free-lancer, then award-winning songwriter and fixture at the Carlyle Hotel, while raising two children in a city growing less hospitable to its talented core.
Fame. Betrayal. Unspeakable tragedy. Music. Motherhood. The search for self. A solo memory play with new, original songs, is directed by Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award–winner Gretchen Cryer. The sonic journey takes us from Berlioz, Messaien, Gershwin, and Jobim, to ’90s Club hits written by the playwright. The songs stir the heart, but the story will change the soul.
