Iron Irene: A Musical Fable

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Book by Liz Falstreau

Lyrics by Liz Falstreau and Ashley Flanagan

Music by Ashley Flanagan

Elevator pitch: Iron Irene: A Musical Fable is a new musical that tells the story of two sisters and their fight for equality, family, and a better life in post-civil war Wyoming.

Synopsis: Set during the years following the American Civil War, Iron Irene tells the story of two sisters and their fight for family, equality and a better world. Upon the death of their parents, Cassie DeLanie is sent from her home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to live in southwestern Wyoming with her sister, Irene. Together, the sisters must learn to adjust to this new world while still attempting to maintain the beliefs and identities of their childhood. Their adventures will lead them to Wyoming's shining moment: being the first U.S. territory to grant women's suffrage.

Great if you like: Frozen meets Shenandoah

Content advisory: none

Performance times:

Tuesday, 2/6 at 8pm

Sunday, 2/11 at noon

Friday, 2/16 at 7:30pm

Sunday, 2/25 at 3pm

Media

Creative Team

Liz Falstreau (Writer/Producer/Cassie) is the book and melody writer for “Iron Irene: A Musical Fable.” She is so excited to be performing her own content as part of the Chicago Musical Theater Festival. She has been performing in Chicago for two years in shows such as Ayn Rand in Love, Curse of the Goat, The Fires of Nero, and more recently Navy Pier’s WinterWonderfest and Those Silly Reindeer! at the Edge Theatre. She would like to thank all of her friends and family that encouraged her start writing, and who never gave up supporting this crazy endeavor.

Ashley Flanagan (Composer) is a native of Chicagoland, and she has always had a passion for music, often found singing or playing piano when avoiding work on her Masters in Psychology. As Musical Director and pianist, she hopes to capture the powerful and energetic themes that would make Iron Irene proud. She is absolutely indebted to her family and friends for their unconditional love and support towards her dream of Iron Women Productions.

Chris Causer (Director) directed his first main stage production at 20 years old with The Fantasticks in Maryland. Other directing projects: Keepers - The Musical, (a benefit at the legendary Studio 54 Broadway Theatre in NYC),The Tempest, As You like It, Midsummer Night's Dream, and most recently, The Odd Couple (Big Noise Theatre). This past May Chris produced & directed Once on this Island for the inaugural production of That Was A Show Theatre Company, which he founded.

Chris is next slated to direct Oklahoma for Glenview Theatre Guild, Summer 2018.

Asher Carlson (Orchestrator) is a clarinetist, bass clarinetist, teacher, and arranger from Leland, MI. An active orchestral and chamber musician, his musical pursuits have taken him on tours of the continental United States, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, and Kenya. Asher's arrangements have been premiered by a variety of ensembles for audiences worldwide, ranging from settings for large concert ensembles to intimate chamber groups. Asher is ecstatic to head the orchestration department for Iron Irene as he has always had a love for musicals and idolized the great composers and orchestrators of Broadway.

Kira Christoforidis (Choreographer) A New York native, previous choreography credits include “Hairspray", "Anything Goes", and "Fiddler On The Roof”. Most recently, Kira was the associate choreographer for “Hair” at Hofstra University in New York. Kira currently performs with the Uptown Underground Vaudettes. Much love to Liz, this cast, and the rest of the team. As always, for Mom, Dad, and Marc.