I was so happy to be at the opening of the very cool new musical, Tamar of the River. Marisa Michelson (music/book) and Joshua H. Cohen (lyrics/book) should be proud - as should director Daniel Goldstein and choreographer Chase Brock - for the unusual and affecting show they have delivered.
The actors are incredible - notably Margo Seibert (Tamar) and Erik Lochtefeld (Judah), and the actors who personify the River are vocally astounding and physically mesmerizing (and often play other roles beyond water): Ako, Jen Anaya, Adam Bashian, Margot Bassett, Troy Burton, Jeremy Greenbaum, Tamrin Goldberg, Aaron Komo, Mike Longo, Mary Kate Morrissey, Vince B. Vincent.
Marisa's music is unlike any other you've heard - though it has echoes of Meredith Monk, one of her idols - and the lyrics and book are poetic and pointed, simple and eloquent.
Though Tamar is set in a mythical time and land, it has such resonance in these days of upset, violence and misunderstanding in the Middle East and elsewhere. In asking the question whether peace is truly possible, it makes us hope - and believe - that the answer is yes. One day, some way.
At the opening reception afterwards, everyone was glowing - and deservedly so!
Composer Marisa Michelson (ctr) with supporters Mary Jo and Ted Shen (Shen Family Foundation)
Tamar of the River's "Tamar" Margo Seibert (rt) w/writer Laura Eason
Cara Reichel (L) - Prospect Theater Company, producer of Tamar w/producer Melissa Huber (rt)
Tamar actor Erik Lochtefeld w/ writer (and wife) Laura Eason