RACHEL
About the play
Logo by Angad Thakuri.
Rachel is an original musical about the life of biologist and nature writer Rachel Carson. Author of "Silent Spring," which sparked the modern environmental movement, Carson led an extraordinary life. Struggling to find her place in the world as a scientist and a woman, her skill as a writer eventually brings her success and critical acclaim. However, when the destructive nature of DDT and other new pesticides is brought to her attention Carson jeopardizes her success, her health, and most importantly the deep relationship she shares with her neighbor Dorothy Freeman to take a stand for the earth.
For more info, visit our full Rachel website!
For more info, visit our full Rachel website!
Rachel carson
"Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth, are never alone or weary of life."
production history
2013: Rachel is first presented at Brandeis University as Jessie's senior thesis.
WINNER - Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award for Best Original Play
2014: Rachel is accepted as a reading to the prestigious New York Musical Theatre Festival.
2015: Rachel is presented at the Fresh Fruit Festival, New York, NY.
WINNER - Outstanding Musical
WINNER - Outstanding Performer - Lipica Shah (for the role of Marie Rodell)
WINNER - Outstanding Performer - Roberto Araujo (for the role of Julius Hyman)
2017: Rachel is presented at NY Summerfest
2018: Rachel receives a developmental reading at Guild Hall's John Drew Theater Lab, East Hampton, NY.
Rachel receives two benefit performances at Union Congregational Church, Montclair, NJ, through Theatre 167.
Note - Rachel has been an evolving piece for us - with each iteration the piece has grown and changed significantly.
WINNER - Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award for Best Original Play
2014: Rachel is accepted as a reading to the prestigious New York Musical Theatre Festival.
2015: Rachel is presented at the Fresh Fruit Festival, New York, NY.
WINNER - Outstanding Musical
WINNER - Outstanding Performer - Lipica Shah (for the role of Marie Rodell)
WINNER - Outstanding Performer - Roberto Araujo (for the role of Julius Hyman)
2017: Rachel is presented at NY Summerfest
2018: Rachel receives a developmental reading at Guild Hall's John Drew Theater Lab, East Hampton, NY.
Rachel receives two benefit performances at Union Congregational Church, Montclair, NJ, through Theatre 167.
Note - Rachel has been an evolving piece for us - with each iteration the piece has grown and changed significantly.
Full cast of "Rachel" at the Fresh Fruit Festival
(Left to right: Tamra Hayden, Lipica Shah, Roberto Araujo, Rachel Flynn, Erin Fish, Jonathan Mesisca, Anette Michelle Sanders, Trevor St. John-Gilbert, and Ann Flanigan.)
at a glance
Type: Full-length Musical
Running Time: 90 minutes
Casting: 4 women and recorded male voices (or 2 off-stage men)
Set: Flexible
Genre: Drama
Themes: Environmentalism, Science, History, Politics, Feminism, LGBTQ+
Running Time: 90 minutes
Casting: 4 women and recorded male voices (or 2 off-stage men)
Set: Flexible
Genre: Drama
Themes: Environmentalism, Science, History, Politics, Feminism, LGBTQ+