Long Live the Queen!
A woman tossed over Niagara Falls locked in barrel? You automatically assume it’s the makings of a reality television show, but this story is one that takes you back earlier into our American History. That woman was Anne Edson Taylor, the truly original reality show contestant of them all.
Taylor’s fearless journey will be told in Michael LaChiusa’s musical this coming October with Transport Group Theatre Company. LaChiusa’s compelling and haunting musical is one that captures Taylor’s courageous spirit and brings it from her century into ours . In a world where reality television is cast of ordinary people overcoming their fears and sharing their intimate, private lives with us, who could overlook the original daredevil of them all, Anne Edson Taylor?
Queen of the Mist
Tonight, the cast and crew of Transport Group’s QUEEN OF THE MIST met for their first music rehearsal at Pearl Studios. Our director and fearless leader, Jack Cummings III, gathered us around and mentioned how much this Queen has meant to him and the company. This idea of a musical concerning Anne’s fall over Niagara Falls began seven years ago as a collaboration between Jack, Mary Testa, and Michael John LaChiusa. All these years later, the Queen has risen.
Queen of the Mist Cast & Crew - Photo Credit: Lori Fineman
Creator Michael John LaChiusa joined us tonight to meet the cast that would shape and mold the clay of words he would bring to them. Michael John mentioned how vital the cast is to this writing process and to bringing Anne Edson Taylor’s story to the stage. “Jack and I have brought two barrels full of clay and we are dumping them into the rehearsal room for you to play with. Now go play!”
Queen of the Mist Cast - Photo Credit: Lori Fineman
Starting tonight and carrying on for the rest of the week, the cast will learn, rehearse, and prepare the music. Next week, they will dive head first into their scripts of QUEEN OF THE MIST. With a talented and versatile cast such as this one, we can expect crowds to come and bow with their applause to this Queen.
Jack Cummings III & Mary Testa - Photo Credit: Lori Fineman
Stay tuned for photos and videos of the Cast Meet & Greet coming next week!
