Don't Miss: 'Women of the Wings' at Feinstein's/54 Below

It’s a woman’s world—at least on August 4 at 9:30 p.m. at Feinstein’s/54 Below, where Women of the Wings: A Celebration of Female Musical Theatre Writers will celebrate female musical theatre writers of today. It’s an evening of new work and classic favorites. You’ll hear songs that make you laugh, songs that make you cry, and songs that make you think differently about the world around you.

The evening will feature selections from Rebekah M. Allen, Sukari Jones, Lisa Kron, Kailey Marshall, Sandra Okuboyejo, Zoe Sarnak, Jeanine Tesori, Georgia Stitt, Alex Rubin & Lizzie Hagstedt, Rachel Griffin, Mackenzie Shivers, Masi Asare, Zina Goldrich & Marcy Heisler.

The cast features performances by Shaunice Alexander, Charnette Batey, Kyle Carter, Samantha Gershman, Melissa Rose Hirsch, Hannah Kloepfer, Alicia Krakauer, Annie Tracy Marsh, Dimitri Joseph Moïse, Lexi Rabadi, Celeste Rose, Stephanie Turci, and Michelle Veintimilla. Megan Minutillo directs and produces with musical direction by Nat Zegree.

Megan Minutillo

The Broadway Blog had a chance to correspond with director/producer Megan Minutillo about the upcoming show:

What inspired you to create this evening of female musical theater songwriters?
MM: I’ve always been inspired to create evenings of work that celebrate female artists on both sides of the table, but it was Jennifer Ashley Tepper, (Director of Programming at Feinstein’s/54 Below) who suggested that I would be the right person to put it together since I’m a champion of female voices. And when Jen believes in your visions and ideas, you find a way to make it happen.

What are some of the highlights of the evening’s program?

MM: Goodness! I don’t think I can answer that – I’m truly in love with each and every song. The evening captures what it means to be human – hope and heartache, love and hate, light and dark. We’re highlighting the work of a lot of amazing female artists.

Do you think the industry is changing in terms of the opportunities for women both onstage and off?

Do I think it’s changing? Yes. Do I think we have quite a while to go? Absolutely. But I see change, although it’s not quite in big glitzy moments and names on marquees. I see change in the conversations over coffee when women who have reached a higher level of success take the time to sit with younger generations and help make their journey to where they want to be a little less rocky. I think change happens when we lift one another up, and I’m seeing more of that lately.

What are some of your favorite female performances currently on and off Broadway?

MM: There are so many! Laura Osnes blew me away in Bandstand — so did Beth Leavel. Laurie Metcalf is a tour de force in everything she does, and I find Condola Rashad incredibly inspiring, too. I hope to see Mandy Gonzales in Hamilton – I’ve been a fan of hers since In the Heights.

Do you have any other upcoming directing or performing projects slated for the fall that we can look forward to?

MM: Coming up: Because We Care: A Benefit for Planned Parenthood Volume 2, DUETS with thewriteteachers.com Volume 6, and The Ugly Christmas Sweater Soiree is a fun time for all in the fall/winter. I’m also hoping the world will get to see my play, H. It’s about the opioid crisis — and something I think everyone needs to see. More details on that coming soon!

For tickets to Women of the Wings, visit 54Below.com.