What's On

A Shadow of Her Own: A Staged Reading Of An Original Musical A Shadow of Her Own
by
Joseph J. Corso Jr.

A Shadow of Her Own is a fictional account of the mudslinging and corruption of the 1896 U. S. Presidential election played out in New York City. It enacts a feminist manifesto aimed at male chauvinism, misogyny and sexual abuse, especially in journalistic circles. The main characters are Lucian Dan Cody and Ellen Bayne Collins, loosely based on aspects of the lives of writer/journalist Ambrose Bierce (1842-c.1914) and investigative journalist/author Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane, 1864-1922). Ambrose Bierce was the sardonic journalist/fabulist and short story writer once employed by William Randolph Hearst and author of the caustically misogynistic The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906). He worked for Hearst at the San Francisco Examiner, which published Bierce's most famous and frequently anthologized short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" on July 13, 1890. He also worked for Hearst in New York City and Washington, D. C. until 1909. Bierce was a "bitter" critic of religion, politics, women and marriage. Elizabeth Cochrane was the intrepid journalist who worked for Joseph Pulitzer and practiced early investigative reporting, taking an undercover assignment (feigning insanity) to expose abuses in the New York City Women’s Lunatic Asylum in 1887. Bly's article, "Ten Days in a Madhouse," caused a sensation and resulted in needed reforms. Two years later, she traveled around the world alone (covering nearly 25,000 miles) from November 14, 1889 until 72 days later, breaking Jules Verne's fictional 80 days by Phileas Fogg. She even interviewed Verne in France. Elizabeth was an early example of American female independence, fearlessness and achievements in a hostile man's world. Dates: Sun 13 Booking and More Information

All That Matters, a Play by Michael Livoti The patriarch of the Cardello family has died, and his widow wants to have their children come together to honor his memory. While the family tries hard to have a nice dinner together, many old wounds, disdain for each other, and a long held family secret, causes a deeper rift in the already estranged family. Dates: Fri 11, Sat 12, Sun 13 Booking and More Information

CM Gems Behind the Scenes Tour Get a glimpse behind-the-scenes of how a show goes from season selection, casting, and design to rehearsal, build, and opening night! Dates: Thu 10 Booking and More Information

CM Gems Exclusive Members Event Dates: Fri 11 Booking and More Information

CM Teens Present: DISNEY'S FREAKY FRIDAY The new musical, Freaky Friday, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films (and developed by Disney Theatrical Productions expressly for licensing to theatres), features a book by Bridget Carpenter - the co-executive producer and writer on the beloved TV hits, "Friday Night Lights" and "Parenthood" - and music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey - the Pulitzer Prize-winning composers of Next to Normal and If/Then.

When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic. By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another's struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter. Dates: Fri 25, Sat 26, Sun 27 Booking and More Information

Junie B. Jones, the Musical Created by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, the team that brought you Dear Edwina, comes Junie B. Jones, The Musical – a delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park's best-selling books, brought to life in a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical developed by TheatreworksUSA. Awaken a young person's desire to read with the sassy little diva, Junie B. Jones, and her adventures in first grade.

It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie's friend, Lucille, doesn't want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal," and first grade has never been more exciting. Dates: Sat 12, Sun 13, Sat 19, Sat 26, Sun 27 Booking and More Information