By Byrne Harrison
Name: Katya Stanislavskaya
Play: Women on Love
Relationship to production: Composer, Lyricist, Producer
How did you first get involved in theatre?
My background is in classical piano. when I cam to America as a teenager, I became involved in my high school's music and drama program, and haven't stopped since.
Who are your biggest influences?
My biggest influences include Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, and William Finn. The latter was my teacher at NYU, and many of the songs from my show were written under his tutelage.
What is your show about?
My show is a song cycle in which five women sing about their relationships with lovers, husbands, children, their artistic passions, and especially themselves.
What inspired you to create it?
I wanted to explore various aspects of womanhood and love through strong female protagonists.
What made you want to perform in an eco-friendly theatre festival like Planet Connections?
At a time when the Earth is constantly in danger from human greed and/or negligence, I am excited to combine artistic endeavors with endeavors that affect humanity.
Planet Connections is fairly unique in that a portion of the box office for each show is donated to a charity. What charity have you chosen and why?
My charity of choice is "Share: Making a Difference in African Communities." Several members of my family are actively involved in "Share." I feel that their efforts to protect women from rape and sexual abuse in countries plagued by AIDS has a strong resonance to the strong feminine spirit of my show.
What's next for you after Planet Connections?
I would like to record a professional demo, and to pitch the show to theaters nationwide. It's an affordable, easy-to-produce show that can (and has been) enjoyed by audiences of both genders and all ages.
And finally, if you could go back in time and meet yourself as a kid, what advice would you give your younger self?
I would have started writing and composing a lot sooner!
Women on Love
A Song Cycle by Katya Stanislavskaya
Directed by Marlo Hunter+
Musical Direction by Mark Evans
Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission
Venue: The Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street
Performance date:
Mon 6/7 @ 9pm
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