Who is Esther?

Tapestry Opera

Michael...

Looking forward to learn more about Tapestry (beyond the website), and also share more about Who is Esther, the musical that I've written. As an outsider to the music and theatre community, I'm just now reaching out, hoping to connect, and possibly elicit any feedback, or potential interest. At this point, Who is Esther has gone through a significant number of rewrites, re-orchestrations, and "COVID-influenced" readings.

- we’ve also completed studio work, and now have the entire soundtrack (21 songs) recorded by professional singers. (The entire work is music - no dialogue)

- we've completed the post-production work, and also now have a video of the entire musical.

- we've embedded all of the feedback from the artists into the manuscript and the score.

Scroll down to find...

- Latest version of the manuscript

- 15 song sampler (6 minutes)

- Complete video of all songs (59 minutes)

- The unique backstory (Leukemia - yikes!)

I'd love to learn more about Tapestry, describe the development of the project to date, answer any questions. (And of course, welcome any feedback...) While I don't know if Who is Esther is a fit for Tapestry, your reputation - and willingness to consider new Canadian productions - is refreshing.

I can be reached at 416-918-5384, or via email at [email protected]. And as I live literally "down the street", I'd be more than happy to meet in person. (If you'd prefer to meet via Zoom, please share a few times that might work, or find a time on my calendar at www.RandallCraig.net/60, and the system will send us both a zoom calendar invite.

– Randall

Latest Manuscript

Click the image below to download the latest version of the manuscript; now includes optional alternative lyrics for the song "The Event" that would be more suitable for younger audiences. (Updated January 2024)

15 Song Sampler in 6 Minutes

Quick excerpts from 15 of the 21 songs.

Entire Musical

Music only: 59 minutes. On a stage with scene transitions and intermission: 1h 45 minutes.
Note: The video of the entire musical is not available "publicly".

Who Is Esther: A Unique Backstory

In 2017 I was diagnosed with Leukemia. Shortly thereafter my doctors stopped the chemo, began looking for a bone marrow transplant donor, and told me there was only a slim chance of my survival. Not my best day, but it was also the day when Who is Esther was born. It was my “Aha” moment – I felt compelled to write it with the time I had left. Friends moved a piano into my hospital room, and I started to write the songs immediately. I was in the hospital for seven months.

As a teenager, I self-taught myself piano by playing several hours every day. I never had the opportunity to study musical theatre, and I’m not connected into the musical theatre community, except from my seat in the audience. (I am a management consultant and Hall-of-Fame professional speaker.) So when I wrote Who is Esther, I was not following the “usual” routes of development as I didn’t know what they were. And as an outsider, there was no one I could turn to for mentorship. These are the unique beginnings of the play... and what distinguishes it from any other.

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Intrigued? I'd love to answer any questions, describe the development of the project to date, and listen to any thoughts you may have.

- Randall

PS: I can be reached at 416-918-5384, or via email at [email protected]...