By Karen Bloom
This happens in the form of "Fair Liberty's Call," a musical story of revolutionary America, presented by Hofstra USA productions, weekends through June 29.This is a "world premiere event" for Hofstra USA Productions, the University's resident theater company, and will be followed by a July 4th run in Manhattan, at the South Street Seaport. It is the first fully-staged and choreographed production of the show, which has been in development for three years. The musical features original book and lyric adaptation by Pamela Meadow; musical adaptation, arrangement and direction by David Barnett, direction and choreography by Mindy Cooper."Fair Liberty's Call" uses traditional songs to bring Revolutionary America to life. The score resurrects captivating period songs and dances, including lively tavern songs, ballads, sly ditties, beloved lullabies, political anthems, and inspirational spirituals."Fair Liberty's Call" takes place at an all-night party in New York colony in 1775. Hosted by a widowed innkeeper in honor of her son, who is leaving for Boston to join the Patriot forces fighting the British, the party sets the stage for a swirl of political intrigue, romantic folly, treasonous plots and deadly conspiracies. A major plot thread focuses on the choices facing a young African-American slave. Although he believes in the Patriot cause, he is prevented from fighting for independence. At the same time, he is offered his freedom in return for siding with the British. The production is the brainchild of Ms. Meadows, of Port Washington. While pursuing a professional career as a playwright and librettist, she has been long involved with educational and community theater programs. She was inspired to write this show, she said, while teaching social studies at a private school on Long Island. She researched the music and lyrics of many traditional songs of the Revolutionary period. The plot and characters are based on little-known historic events and situations faced by real people of the time. Staged readings of the show in both Manhattan and Long Island (Oyster Bay) were well-received. At the first staged reading at the Greenwich Village's Duplex Cabaret, in 2000, it attracted attention of theater-goers, historians and industry professionals."Fair Liberty's Call" was selected for sponsorship under the New York Foundation for the Arts and received historical collaboration from Andrew C. Batton, Executive Director of the Raynham Hall Museum.Following further workshop development, "Fair Liberty's Call" came under the wing of Hofstra USA Productions, known for taking an interest in new works. The result is a full-fledged production that opened June 13 at Hofstra University's Monroe Lecture Center Theater. The cast is composed entirely of professional actors, who have appeared on Broadway and in national touring companies of Broadway productions. Rockville Centre's Kate Beckman is featured in the starring role as the widow Nan Edwards. A multi-talented performer, Ms. Beckman has been involved in productions throughout the U.S. and England. She has performed in such shows as Carmen, Kiss Me Kate, and A Little Night Music. She also has a busy concert and cabaret schedule and has been a soloist with the Nassau Pops Symphony orchestra. Her new cabaret act will preview this Fall.For a new twist on Revolutionary America, go see "Fair Liberty's Call." Discover how entertaining American History can be!
