CLARA SCHUMANN PROJECT
PART OF THE NEW MUSICALS LAB WRITER’S RETREAT
Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk
Book & Lyrics by Ilana Ransom Toeplitz
“you may feel small. you may feel weak but there is magic at your fingertips.”
“The Music Lives In You” | from The Clara Schumann Project
ABOUT THE CLARA SCHUMANN PROJECT
Clara Schumann was the Beyoncé of her day and a genius in her own right, so why do we only know about her as a rival to Liszt, and a Muse to Brahms and her husband, Robert?
On the brink of young adulthood, a young artist is hiding in the broom closet before her compositional debut. Through her lens, we navigate this story of chosen family, the power of a single note, and making the most of the hand we’re dealt -- the story of Clara Schumann. The future is female, but the past was female, too.
Designed to be a collaboration between a symphony and a theatre, the grandeur of an orchestra and the magic of Broadway blend together with original music, interwoven with melodies inspired by some of Clara’s most beautiful works. Symphony and theatre audiences will delight in the true story of this brilliant prodigy, boss virtuosa, artist and single mom.
Listen to “the music lives in you”
Sung by Shoshana Shattenkirk.
THE CREATORS
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Shoshana Yavneh Shattenkirk (Shoshi)
Composer
Additional Lyrics
Shoshi is a composer, pianist, and former Wall Street stock analyst.Her music has been performed at venues including Lincoln Center, BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, Dramatists Guild Foundation, Musical Theatre Factory, US Mint, University of South Florida, Maison New Orleans, St Cecilia Music Society, Loyola University New Orleans, Times Square, and others.
She studied piano from age 4, along with harp, viola, and steel drums. Her first composition, written at age 6, placed in the Florida Reflections Competition. By age 10, she had given hundreds of recitals and placed in several concerto competitions.
Shoshana attended Interlochen Arts Camp for piano (won Interlochen division-wide piano award), dance, and theatre. Shoshi majored in languages and cultures at Loyola University New Orleans, attended Columbia University's Postbaccalaureate Premedical program, and worked on Wall Street.
Since turning to her professional creative roots , Shoshana has been commissioned to write classical, musical theatre, commercial, and liturgical music.
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Ilana Ransom Toeplitz
Book & Lyrics
@IlanaRansom
www.IlanaDirects.com
Broadway: THE PROM (2018, Tony Nomination), VIOLET (2014, Tony Nomination). Lincoln Center: CRAZY FOR YOU 25th Anniversary (2017). National Tours: A CHRISTMAS STORY!, DIRTY DANCING. Favorite regional & off-Broadway director and/choreographer credits: REEFER MADNESS (f/Alan Cumming), CHICAGO, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Park Square Theatre), 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (ACT OF CT), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM (The Boston Pops) MARY POPPINS & SEUSSICAL!. Direction of world premieres with: The Drama League, Berkshire Theatre Group, Lincoln Center - Library, 54 Below, NYMF, Adrienne Arsht Center (Miami, FL), Museum of Sex, York Theatre Company, Keen Company & the world premiere of Drew Gasparini’s WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE. Ilana is a proud native of Pittsburgh, PA, a SDC Foundation Mike Ockrent Fellow and Drama League Directors Project Alum (Leo Schull New Musicals Directing Fellow). Ilana is the Artistic Director of Musical Theatre & Dance of Musical Mentors Collaborative.
