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Thursday, October 27, 2016

In Context: A Star Has Burnt My Eye



Howard Fishman’s new play tells the recently uncovered story of Connie Converse, a polymathic songwriter in the 1950s who vanished without an audience or album to her name but left behind a treasure trove of groundbreaking home recordings. Context is everything, so get even closer to the production with this curated selection of related articles and videos. After you've attended the show, let us know what you thought by posting in the comments below and on social media using #AStarHasBurnt.

Program Notes

Read

Article
Discovering a Disappeared Artist in a Musical Drama (Wall Street Journal)
In a letter written before she vanished, the 50-year-old Converse stated: “I just can’t find my place to plug into it.”

Article
Connie Converse: The mystery of the original singer-songwriter (BBC)
An overview of Converse’s enigmatic life story (what’s known of it, anyway) …

Article
How Connie Converse went viral on Spotify — 40 years after she vanished (news.com.au)
After falling in love with a single Connie Converse song he heard on WNYC’s “Spinning on Air,” Dan Dzula founded Squirrel Thing Recordings to distribute her music.

Article
The Connie Converse Double Album That Never Got Crowd-Funded (The Awl)
Dan Dzula and David Herman discuss their vision for a special-edition double album of Converse’s music and ephemera, a project that never got funded on Kickstarter.

Article
Strange Ways: The Long Journey of Howard Fishman (Brooklyn Magazine)
An in-depth look at the multifarious career of musician/theater artist Howard Fishman, the force behind A Star Has Burnt My Eye.

Listen

How Sad, How Lovely (YouTube)
Listen to Connie Converse’s first complete album, released in 2009 by Squirrel Thing Recordings.

Now your turn...

What did you think? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below and on social media using #AStarHasBurnt.

7 comments:

  1. Such a great play on so many levels!

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  2. A wonderful musical memoir. Jean Rohe's performance particularly enjoyable. When is the LP on Connie's soulful tunes due out? And alas, what a way to beat the post election blues. Art heals.

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  3. Howard - you resurrected a beautiful person and her music. What a powerful life-giving act. Jim and I have now downloaded her recordings and listened to a bunch last night before heading off to bed. Thank you for bringing us this gift!

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  4. What a loving and special evening. Her music is beautiful and soulful.Being there was a treat especially since I had never heard her music before. Thank you.

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  5. Surprised by how lovely this play was. Despite being based upon an artist from the 50s, it was universally compelling and timely piece on art and acceptance. Female vocalists were submime.

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  6. This was glorious in every way. The songs, amazing. The performances, all fantastic. The movements, sublime. Genuinely moving and utterly unforgettable.

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  7. Thoroughly enjoyed this homage piece and the existential issues about art and fame that it provoked. Lovely sensitive performances by all!

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