Synopsis
How long has it been since you’ve enjoyed a truly romantic experience? Admit it: We are suckers for a story with romance. Watch “My (unauthorized) Hallmark Movie Musical” and discover a writer who dreams herself awake and re-discovers romance in a nonconventional way.
In this innovative one-woman show supported by a cast of eight characters in her imagination via multimedia, we escape into her movie fantasy where men and women find courage and acceptance to speak their own voice without judgment.
Frivolous, fractured, and fun musical moments take you on a ride of pure joy. . . where love always wins.
Author’s Notes
During the pandemic I craved live theater. So… I wrote a musical that was perfect for those of us who wanted the joy of live theater, yet wanted to keep everyone safe.
I wanted to create a show theaters can “drop in” their season – that is easy to assemble, can save money on actors and other fees, and is a different type of theatrical experience.
Welcome to this new one-person show: “My (unauthorized) Hallmark Movie Musical”!
At a time when money is tight, one-person shows are more economical to stage, and a solo show is also infinitely adaptable to different spaces.
This project has one live actor interacting with a three-screen, multi-media video featuring 8 very dynamic and talented actors who converse, sing, and dance with the live actor. This gives us the best of both worlds: A large and diverse cast with the budget of a one-person show; and just one live performer, making it easier to follow safety guidelines in our post-pandemic world. In addition, the music is part of the pre-recorded movie track - no live musicians are required.
Will people want to see this in a post pandemic world?
Yes!
Whether we watch tragedy or comedy, I believe what is most important for our audiences today is catharsis. If we can gather in a room and laugh or cry together we are re-gathering as a community. This human connection revives our souls. As I write this, it sounds like pure joy.
And my inspiration came from a very surprising source.…
“The Hallmark Channel took top honors as most-watched among Women 25-54 in Fourth Quarter for the fifth consecutive year. For the full year, the network ranked as the #2 most-watched entertainment cable among Women 18+ and Total Viewers in Total Day, while clocking in as #1 on weekends.”
Hallmark has a larger appeal. Okay… The plotlines are unrealistic and the endings predictable. This “lack of reality” just means we love escapism entertainment (we can all use a good escape these days). These movies allow us to experience the emotions associated with social validation, the yearning for connection, compassion, and empathy. No wonder during the pandemic I could not stop watching!
So much so, I wrote my own (unauthorized) movie musical parodying all the tropes we have come to know and love in these movies. Positive emotions such as hope, happiness, the value of connection, appreciation, and gratitude are very powerful.
Watching these movies, I came to realize in each movie there is an underlying message. So it is with this show.
There is a message of female (and male) empowerment - because finding one’s own voice is not limited to gender, race, religion, or any other cultural and social identifiers. People desire robust and healing storytelling; here we create an environment where the story is accessible to everyone.
The pandemic has forced all of us in theater to rethink our models and practices, and to imagine new templates for the event of live storytelling and the means by which we experience it. There is liberty in the task of reinventing.
This show is imaginative…a theatrical experience that secretly we all have played out in our dreams - where we are the super-hero or spy or “wise” mother who knows all the answers - we have played all those roles. It’s fun!
Escape with us as we meld the world of film and live performance. And best of all, this show is life affirming… where love always wins.
Bring Joy to your theater- contact RAS CReative -702-463-3696
