Who is Esther?
Winnipeg Jewish Theatre
Dan, it was a pleasure meeting you at the JCC Kultura Collective Salon in Toronto on Nov 26th. And it was exciting doing “the pitch” (my first, actually), during the afternoon. You had asked for a copy of the manuscript (which I gave you), and asked me to follow-up at the beginning of 2024. I've put this page together to help you get a better sense of the work.
A lot has happened since then:
– Randall
PS: While you know the backstory of the musical (Leukemia, bone marrow transplant, 7 months in hospital, etc), one part of my backstory I didn't share with you: my family is actually from Winnipeg, and many of them are still there. It would be personally thrilling to have Who is Esther on the WJT stage!
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 theater, and I’m not connected into the musical theater 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. I can be reached at 416-918-5384, or via email at [email protected]...
- Randall