A talented, prolific writer and composer, Liz always has plenty of irons in the fire. Read on for details about her current and most recent projects.

NOW PLAYING: Kaspar Hauser, a Foundling's Opera
Written by Elizabeth Swados & Erin Courtney
Composed & Directed by Elizabeth Swados

February 13 to March 28 ONLY!
at The Flea Theater, 41 White Street, New York

A wild child is found on the streets of Nuremburg in 1828 and taken up in this tale of the imminent rise and atrocious fall of innocence. A cast of 19 accompanied by a live orchestra in a raucous opera somewhere between Beethoven and Queen.

FOR TICKETS, CLICK HERE

Dispatches, a Rock-War Musical by Elizabeth Swados
Based on the book by Michael Herr
Originally produced at The Public Theater in 1979

Starring: David Driver, Chris Gleim, Blythe Gruda, Simotra Houston, Jo Lampert, Preston Martin, Grace McLean, Caitlin Summer, Jeremy Pasha, Doug Paulson, William Parry, and Rachel Stern Musicians: Jeremy Chatzky, Jock Guthrie, Richard Huntley, Kris Kukul

ONE NIGHT ONLY May 30th 7pm
The New School for Theater
151 Bank Street
FREE TICKETS

Part of Naked Angels' Old School at the New School: Angels in Progress Festival Reservations and more info: http://www.nakedangels.com/angels-in-progress

Atonement, a Theatrical Oratorio
Performances:
Monday October 1 at Cathedral of St John the Divine
Sunday October 14at the St. Marks Church, 7:30pm
Sunday October 27 at JCC of Manhattan

Elizabeth Swados’ theatrical oratorio combines liturgical elements of the Jewish High Holiday Yom Kippur service wt with the more secular universal elements of our collective acknowledgement and sorrow over world hunger. This piece is about atonement but even more about renewal. It is a combination of liturgical writings and poetry from all around the world that deals with both the darkness of war and poverty, and the resilience and possibility of the human spirit. The piece goes from darkness to celebration, and reflects the inner journey of repentance to purification as it experienced during the holiday of Yom Kippur. This piece has its roots in Jewish culture but is being universalized by words from all cultures and regions.
Click HERE for more information.

Liz just wrapped up recording "Everyone is Different," a children's CD about difference. The CD was produced in association with Forward Face, and will be released in primary schools.

Political Subversities
Saturday May 19 11:30pm at Joe's Pub
Political Subversities is a wild and edgy theatre piece consisting of songs, scenes and monologues which portray the absurdity of our world as it is now as well as the scandalous and outrageously stupid behavior of the people who inhabit it. It is meant to be hilarious, it hits everybody, no one is safe. The cast consists of extraordinary brand new talents both as actors and writers. Their youth brings a unique edge and perspective that creates a great mix with Elizabeth Swados' years of trouble-making and experience. Having had a successful run in last fall's IMPACT Festival at the Culture Project, we're happy to announce that a newly augmented and up to date version of the show will be having a glorious preview at the notorious Joe's Pub on May 19th at 11:30pm. Yes that's right, 11:30pm, a great hour for mischief and bedlam. We think this will be the most politically incorrect laugh-inducing fury-making evening possible and invite you to attend.
Tickets are $15 at www.joespub.com or $12 students at the door. If you don't come, you're letting the terrorists win. Again. www.myspace.com/PoliticalSubversities.

Kaspar Hauser
Coming up in February at The Flea, the opera "Kaspar Hauser" based on the story of the notorious Wild Child who appeared in Nuremburg, Germany in 1828 after having lived his entire life in a dungeon, never learning how to speak or be human. The story covers his ascent into civilization as well as the mystery surrounding his heritage. He was in fact to be heir to the throne of Baden and was switched at birth for a dead child. Because of these mysteries, he was attacked at the age of 15 and murdered at 19, but most importantly, he was the Anna Nicole Smith of Nuremburg, rising to extraordinary fame and notoriety and then rejected and scorned and sent almost into homelessness. A true fable for our time of innocence, corruption, seduction, fame, and murder. To open in February at The Flea downtown theater for an extended run. Dates will be posted as they are confirmed.

Atonement Fundraiser
Fundraiser: June 18th at 7:30pm
Elizabeth Swados, Retta Blaney, Rebecca Keren Eisenstadt and The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine excitedly invite you to ATONEMENT A Preview Performance and Fundraiser Monday June 18, 2007 at 7:30pm The Actor’s Temple 339 West 47th Street New York, NY 10036

Elizabeth Swados’s theatrical oratorio combines liturgical elements of the Jewish High Holiday Yom Kippur service with the more secular universal elements of our collective acknowledgements and sorrow over world hunger. This piece is about atonement but even more about renewal. It is a combination of liturgical writings and poetry from all around the world that deals with both the darkness of war and poverty, and the resilience and possiblilty of the human spirit. The piece necessarily goes from darkness to celebration, and reflects the inner journey of repentence to purification, as is experienced during the holiday of Yom Kippur. We’d like to emphasize that this piece has its roots in Jewish culture, but is being universalized by words from all cultures and religions. As you know, art is under-funded, and a piece like this with its political underpinnings is especially challenged to find a home. We are lucky to have the participation of Cathedral St. John the Divine as well as the generosity of the Actors Temple, yet we are looking for any farther funds to pay for the technical aspects of a final concert performance. All donations are tax deductible. The premier performance will take place October 1st, and will benefit ASTEP, Artists Striving to End Poverty, a non-for-profit organization that mobilizes the community of artists in an effort to create positive change for young people in need. The evening will include a short presentation of the music and a reception. The piece features 20 singers, 8 soloists, and five musicians. Your attendance will provide great support to the evening. Hope to see you there!
Please RSVP to 917-751-8890 or [email protected]

Twas The Night Before...
December 7-23 at Chelsea Art Museum and The Flea Theater
This spirited new work will feature ten-minute riffs on the famous holiday poem by an outstanding group of playwrights - Mac Wellman, Christopher Durang, Len Jenkin, Roger Rosenblatt, and of course, Elizabeth Swados. Visit www.theflea.org for tickets and information.

Mental Missiles
September 15-October 14th, 2006
Friday, Saturday at 10pm, Sunday at 7pm
The Culture Project, 45 Bleeker Street, NYC
Click HERE to view the flyer for this production.
For tickets, visit www.impactfestival.org
Mental Missiles is a dark, satirical revue filled with irreverence and disrespect with songs,monologues and scenes that are meant to go for the jugular of all parties, politicians, capitalist icons and media maniacs. This Revue is a way for us to speak about what's going on in the world without being cutesy or catering to a crowd. No one is spared. And the music is as strong as the words with many styles, from cabaret to the most contemporary rap and rock. Ten performers will step up onstage with attitudes that are meant to tease, provoke and make you laugh. And since not all the news is hilarious, a good dose of dark irony will be injected into the night. Mental Missiles will be performed as part of The Culture Project's Impact Festival, a citywide arts festival focused on human rights and social justice.

Spider Opera
February 24th, 2006 at 7pm and 25th at 7pm+10pm
P.S. 122
A performance piece with Taylor Mac, produced with the assistance of Mabou Mines.

The Dybbuk
April 20th-29th, 2006
NYU Tisch Mainstage
Liz will be directing an unusual and frightening interpretation of this classic play. Don't miss it!

Bokan
Liz has composed music for Bokan, a unique dance drama by Frederico Restrepo. Bokan was performed in Bogota, Columbia on April 6, 2006.

Reality Radio Show
Liz is currently in rehearsal at New York University with nine talented students to create a show that will be performed for the entire university. "Reality Radio Show" will perform for three weeks starting on the 18th of August, with some performances open to the public. Two years ago, there were four suicides among students at the university. The university immediately took action to prevent such tragedy from occurring again. The "Reality Radio Show" is part of a program to increase awareness among new and existing students about the dangers of depression and isolation. More information will be available soon.

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Contact Liz: [email protected]