I’m a devoted Willa Cather fan! Willa Cather’s words and life have inspired and renewed me as a storyteller, playwright and musician, leading me to write The Willa Cather Salon, a play with music.

The Willa Cather Salon was inspired by the spirit of Willa’s Friday afternoon salons at her Bank Street apartment, framed with music and reflections from the storytellers, bringing the emotional impact of the stories into the present moment. Cast with professional New York City actors, musicians from the Queer Urban Orchestra and directed by an award-winning director, the one-hour reading was staged in 2018 at The Willa Cather Community Room at the Jefferson Market Library in New York City. The event was standing room only and audience response was enthusiastic. During the discussion afterwards, audience members said: So much in this piece to ponder. Poignant, funny, and thought provoking. The music was gorgeous and complimented Willa Cather’s stories. Several people remarked that they were inspired by the message of The Willa Cather Salon to make time to create; I need to start writing again. I want to go back to playing the piano.

The Willa Cather Salon is a chamber theater piece with minimal set and lighting requirements. Ideal for university and college settings. A wonderful experience for American literature classes studying Willa Cather or American history classes looking at issues of immigration and/or artists’ contributions to American culture and politics at the beginning of the 20th century. The piece provokes meaningful discussions on being an outsider, the need to nurture our creative spirit and the healing power of beauty in music.

Check out The Willa Cather Salon promo from a recent staged reading. Much gratitude to storytellers Jay Fruchtman, Niel Rosenthalis & Madison Keesler for playing with me and Willa Cather’s words, singing salon songs and to Page Clements for her lovely direction and shaping Willa’s stories. Onward & Upward!

Long live the merry, merry heart, that laughs by night and day.

Like the Queen of Mirth, no matter what some folks say!