OUR CURRENT PROJECT
Our first musical, E=MC², A Musical Journey Through The Extraordinary Life Of Albert Einstein, was written by Soroca & Allocca (Karen Soroca and Janet Marie née Janet Allocca – https://danstarproductions.com) who have been writing songs together for over twenty years.
HISTORY OF E=MC²
Karen Soroca grew up in a family of scientists which led to her early interest in Albert Einstein. After studying Professor Einstein for years, she approached her writing partner, Janet, in December 2018 about co-writing a musical based on this extraordinary man’s life. By January 2019, Karen and Janet began their collaboration, starting first with the songs and then the libretto. An informal read through was held in November 2019 in San Rafael, CA, followed by script and song revisions and the physicist/technical advisor, Vincent Dumont, Ph.D., reviewing everything for historical and scientific accuracy. Then, covid hit in March 2019, closing theatres throughout the United States and bringing everything to a halt.
By April 2022, theatres began to open, making it possible for them to hold a highly successful Equity-approved staged reading at The Victory Theatre Center (VTC) in Burbank, CA.
*Information provided by Fair Isle Music Publishing LLC
Cast and crew, left to right: Row – 1 Dr. James H Forsell, Janet Marie, Karen Soroca, Elaine(EE)Moe, Diane Burt, Linda Lukas; Row 2 (seated) – Jennifer Kersey, Chris M. Allport, Kristin Towers-Rowles; Row 3 – Randy Crenshaw, Renae Jacobs, Jeff Sable, Susan Soriano, Brigit Comeau, Jennifer Bennett; Row 4 – Mike Genovese, Michal Dawson Connor, Jeremy Matticks, Koelen Andrews, Brandon Alexander Guzman, Trevor Shor.
Here are some really positive comments from the Staged Reading.
I just wanted to reiterate how much I enjoyed E=MC². It is quite an accomplishment – a feather in your cap. The book is excellent, as well as the music. Well done!
I loved the comedy, which was totally appropriate and fitting for the characters. I loved Quantum Leap – cute as hell. Your perseverance and love for the project was on full display. The music moved the piece forward perfectly. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon of theater. It is easy to envision a fully professional company performing the piece on a large stage complete with orchestra, sets, and choreography.
I don’t know what your plans are for the show moving forward. Showbiz is as fickle as ever, but no matter what the future may bring you should be proud that you (and Janet) wrote… created a Broadway musical.I tip my hat to you both.
Really – I am speechless over your accomplishment. Music, lyrics, staging, choreography, the script, the research, the re-writes, the energy, time and effort you put into this! There are people who in their lives have an idea, are motivated, but just don’t have what it takes to push through and persevere. Whatever the outcome of E=MC² – you should feel the satisfaction that you gave this your all, and whether you get a Tony or not will not change that reality (although it might be nice
).
For starters, I want to thank you again for thinking of us and kindly inviting us to your musical. Of course we wouldn’t have missed it for the world, and we were so glad we came. I have to tell you, Karen, this work is utterly brilliant. We enjoyed it immensely from beginning to end, and were hanging on every word. You really nailed this. Superb in every way. All of the actors were wonderful, too.
After a few more edits to the libretto and music, in the summer of 2022, all the songs were orchestrated/arranged so live musicians (instead of a pre-record) could be used for the upcoming performances.
The next plan is to do a one-month run of four performances per week in an LA theatre.
To learn more about E=MC²
https://emc2themusical.com
