New project!
Oh hi! Remember me?
Artwork by Christina Batipps
If you don’t, I don’t blame you! It’s been a while and I have not performed in a long time. I was dealing some big life changes and other fun things over the past few years, but during all that, I got the idea for my next project. And it’s a big one. I’ve been putting the pieces together steadily, and I finally have something to show…
I’M WRITING A MUSICAL! It’s not a Broadway-type thing so much. It’s an experimental, eclectic piece based on the true story of a family heirloom I was gifted: a houseplant that belonged to Albert Einstein.
It’s called "Einstein’s Begonia."
The story is told from the plant’s perspective and begins in 1955 just after Einstein’s death. In it, Beggy, the begonia, must must traverse destabilizing grief, the roller coaster of fame, and too many plant puns to learn to navigate the world without the only parent she has ever known. The show explores loss, found family, theoretical physics, and botany.
Last year I was introduced to Alexis Roblan, a playwright whose work is surreal, existential, and also really funny. I knew immediately she was THE ONE to write the book for the show. We just got back from a week-long retreat of intensive writing and Einstein-related tourism in Princeton, New Jersey, where the show takes place. Alexis finished up a draft of the script and I wrote the last of the show’s 18 (!) songs.
In just a few weeks, we will be presenting a weekend of free readings of "Einstein’s Begonia” in New York City. You are cordially invited to attend these first readings!
The dates are Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, both at 3pm. The readings are free but due to the rules of theatre, you must DM me for info on how to attend. Wanna see it? Just send me an email and I will share the location and a link to reserve a spot.
Doing research / trying to make sense of the universe.
We've brought on Director Dara Malina and Musical Director Deidre Rodman Struck, plus a live band and actors to bring the show to life for the first time.
I will be playing the lead character, Beggy, the begonia. Since this is just a reading, there will no set, costumes, or choreography, but you’ll get to be there for the beginning of the show’s development process. You'll experience Alexis’ wildly imaginative script and hear the songs live with singers and full band — and see me try my best to embody a plant. Oy!
I don’t have much in the way of preview, but here’s a video of me singing one of the upbeat songs in a rehearsal.
Hope you can make it!
This is just the beginning of this project, so if you don’t live in NYC, or do but can’t be there, don’t worry — this show has a bright future and you’ll have other chances to see it as it develops! I’m also planning to eventually record the songs as a double album.
You can follow along on my Instagram for updates on the show, videos, songs, etc.
Thank you for sticking with me!
Rebecca
P.S. The beautiful begonia artwork you see on this website was painted by my childhood friend Christina Batipps. Isn’t she so talented?! She also paints people, trees, insects, and other living things.
Artwork by Christina Batipps