project

Rag Doll on a Bomb Site

Dance & Physical Theatre · Shelley Cooper · Ages 15+ · 50 mins · United States of America

Content Warning One Person Show

About the Project

An Original Solo Musical. A contemporary ballet. It’s opening night of The Threepenny Opera in Berlin, 1928 when Kurt Weill steps into Lotte Lenya’s dressing room and drops a bombshell that her name is not in the program. Absolutely furious, Kurt demands they cancel the opening night performance. Lenya laughs in his face. She has been through far worse than this in her traumatic past.Lotte Lenya grew up in a slum, beaten repeatedly by a cruel father, endured hunger and crushing poverty, rape, and repeatedly found herself in morally compromising positions as she struggled to survive and advance herself.

 She’s come so far, and now that she has her dream role, Kurt must allow her to go on stage and sing. But will he? Infusing a new contemporary score composed by two time off Broadway award winner Shelley Cooper, contemporary choreography, with dazzling multimedia, this solo musical dance show takes a gritty look at a woman who fled her abusive home, and survived adversity. Where voice meets movement. Where story becomes motion. 

 

the original cast recording is available on all Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and YouTube music

 

This performance contains strong themes including parental physical abuse, suicide ideation, child sexual exploitation (including prostitution), and sexual assault (rape). These topics are depicted through dialogue and/or action and may be distressing for some viewers. Please consider your well-being before attending. Audience discretion is advised.

Learn More at tr.ee/v3qu1mv6Bt

Production Team

Shelley Cooper

shelley cooper *

writer/composer/performer/producer
Kelsey Miller

kelsey miller  

director/developer
Roger  Pavey Jr.

roger pavey jr. 

video designer, marketing/graphic designer
Jessica Lynn  Johnson

jessica lynn johnson  *

producer/developer

* Fringe Veteran

rag doll on a bomb site