Coffeehouse #118: Liz Swados

Spend an intimate afternoon with composer, playwright, director, novelist, and poet, Elizabeth Swados, who for over 30 years has challenged the conventions of music, performance, and all facets of the written, spoken and musical word. Perhaps best known for her smash hit, RUNAWAYS on Broadway and for the Obie award-winning TRILOGY Off-Broadway at La MaMa, Ms. Swados is a prolific artist whose many accomplishments include film scores, adult fiction, children’s books, and creating issue-oriented theater with young people.

The event, moderated by celebrated poet, Bob Hershon, will feature archival footage and live ensemble performances from selected works, including THE HAGGADAH, RUNAWAYS, THE REALITY SHOW and the GREAT JONES REPERTORY COMPANY will perform selections from THE TROJAN WOMAN. Ms. Swados will perform a song from her opera, SARAH; recite a poem she wrote about composer Philip Glass; and conduct the audience in an original musical composition. Long time collaborator, renowned theatre and opera director, Andrei Serban, will make a special video appearance. The event will feature panelists Onni Johnson, Rebecca Keren, Kris Kukul, Preston Martin, Emma Tattenbaum-Fine, and Federico Restrepo.

Panel: Bob Hershon | Rebecca Keren | Kris Kukul | Preston Martin

Emma Tattenbaum-Fine | Federico Restrepo

Special Video Appearance: Andrei Serban

Performances: Ensemble performances from selected works, including THE HAGGADAH, RUNAWAYS, THE REALITY SHOW sung by Tom Hennes, Hannah Shankman, Hannah Whitney and Preston Martin, and the GREAT JONES REPERTORY COMPANY will perform selections from THE TROJAN WOMAN. Ms. Swados will perform a song from her opera, SARAH; recite a poem she wrote about composer Philip Glass; and conduct the audience in an original musical composition.

Screenings: Archival performance footage of past work.

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