By Howard Fishman
Directed by Sarah Hughes
Music & Lyrics by Connie Converse
The Brick
March-April 2015
"...incredible, as was she; the show had me transfixed, joyful, and grateful. It reminded me, yet again, of what art is for."
–The New Yorker
Hear a discussion of Sarah’s work on A Star Has Burnt My Eye in The Quickening podcast (00:27:30).
With Howard Fishman, Charlotte Mundy, Liam Robinson and Jean Rohe
Assistant Director Kate Downey
Dramaturg James Harrison Monaco
Stage & Production Manager Nic Adams
Sound & Video Designer Eva von Schweinitz
Set & Costume Designer Christopher Hellman
Co-Lighting Designers Megan Lang and Megan Dallas Estes
Producers Kate Downey, Caroline Gart and Pamela Reichen
An obscure musician living in Greenwich Village just before the start of the folk music revival, Connie Converse recorded hours of music and wrote letters that transcend time, then abruptly disappeared in 1974. She left goodbye notes that aren't quite suicide notes, and nobody ever found any trace of her. A Star Has Burnt My Eye combines live music composed by Connie Converse, original text by Howard Fishman, and found materials – Connie’s personal letters and journals, previously unheard recordings of her songs, and firsthand recollections from those that knew her – in an exploration of failure, genius, and the connection we make through art.
This workshop premiere of A Star Has Burnt My Eye was presented at The Brick in March-April 2015, following a previous development period in July 2014 at Vox Theater's VoxFest at Dartmouth College. A version of the show was also performed as a documentary concert tribute at The Public Theater's Joe’s Pub in July 2011, featuring Howard Fishman, Russell Farhang, Anastasia Barzee, Charlotte Mundy, Susan Oetgen, Jean Rohe, and Rob Adkins, with subsequent performances programmed at Abrons Arts Center, The Rattlestick Theater, and again at Joe’s Pub.
Photos by Marina McClure and Chris Heilman.