Veronica Mansour is a star on the rise, and she stopped by Playbill studios to share a sneak peek at two of her thrilling new musicals, joining the illustrious lineup of the Playbill Songwriter Series.
A composer, lyricist, and artist based in New York City and Los Angeles, Mansour is a 2024 Richard Rodgers Award Winner, and a Jonathan Larson Grant winner. Recently nominated for a Marvin Hamlisch International Music Award, and a member of the Dramatists Guild, Maestra, and BMI, Mansour has been hard at work on two new musicals, which she previewed for Playbill.
The first, The Dark Lady, is the story of 16th century feminist poet, Emilia Bassano, who some believe to be the subject of Shakespeare's "Dark Lady sonnets." Others believe she may have been the Bard's ghostwriter. The Dark Lady features music by Veronica Mansour and lyrics by Sophie Boyce.
The first song, "The Shrew," occurs when Emilia's character, Kate (The Taming of the Shrew) is first written, simultaneously introducing herself and dazzling the spectators with her sharp wit and ingenuity. "The Shrew" is performed by Jane Bruce.
The second song is "True," the penultimate number of the show where Emilia must decide if she will expose Shakespeare to be a fraud and let the plays burn, or allow her characters to live on with her name never attached to them. "True" is performed by Mackenzie Meadows.
Mansour's second musical, Lighthouse, is a fourth-wall-breaking pop-country musical that follows 18-year-old Bus, who is running from both her small Minnesotan town and herself. Lighthouse features music by Veronica Mansour and lyrics by abs wilson.
The third song, "Back Like Before," is sung by Bus' mom, Cheese Curd (played by Darcie Hingula), where she reflects on her imperfect relationship with her daughter.
The fourth song, "The Way She Sees Me" is sung by Hot Dish (played by Mansour herself), the pastor's wife, where she confides with Bus her desires to leave her husband to be with the woman she loves.
Manour and the other vocalists were supported in the Playbill studio by pianist Fred Feeney on the Sing for Hope piano, and Nate Lueck on the Guitar and Mandolin.
Sing for Hope harnesses the power of the arts to create a better world. Our creative programs bring hope, healing, and connection to millions of people in hospitals, schools, care facilities, refugee camps, transit hubs, and community spaces worldwide. A non-profit organization founded in New York City in response to the events of 9/11, Sing for Hope partners with hundreds of community-based organizations, mobilizes thousands of artists in creative service, and produces artist-created Sing for Hope Pianos across the US and around the world. The official Cultural Partner of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, Sing for Hope champions art for all because we believe the arts have an unmatched capacity to uplift, unite, and heal. Learn more at SingForHope.org.
For more information on Mansour's work, visit VeronicaMansour.com.
