Sweet lass of Liberty
Teen actress has monumental role
A NEW YORK ninth-grader is standing tall — about 151 feet tall with an impressive crown on her head.
“Liberty: A Monumental New Musical,” which begins Tuesday in the East Village, has Abigail Shapiro portraying the iconic Lady in the Harbor.
This vision of Lady Liberty doesn’t keep her perched on a pedestal. Fresh off a boat from France in 1884, Liberty, like other immigrants, makes her way in the big city.
“The show is about her journey,” says Abigail, 14. “Liberty wants to give people hope and to be a symbol of peace.” But that’s not easy. Life brings challenges. That’s one theme explored by Brooklyn resident Dana Goldstein, who wrote the book and lyrics, and her brother Jon Goldstein, who composed the music.
Liberty faces struggles, and so do fictional characters and historical figures in the show.
“One of the messages is to never give up,” Abigail, of the Upper West Side, says, “and to stay strong and move forward.”
Stick-to-it-iveness is a fitting motto for “Liberty,” which has been in the works for six years. Besides workshops and readings, a full production ran in 2012 in Torrington, Conn.
A year ago, a Kickstarter campaign aimed to raise $1 million to mount a New York run but fell short. At Theatre 80, the budget is much leaner and meaner, according to producer Theresa Wozunk.
“The show has enormous potential for entertainment and for teaching,” she says. “It’s a unique piece of theater.”
The role of Liberty has previously been played by adult actresses.
“Abigail came in to read for another role and made us step back. She brings true innocence,” says Wozunk, who calls Abigail “powerfully petite.”
The statuesque role is the biggest showcase yet for Abigail, whose local credits include “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” She and her younger sister, Milly, who played the title role in “Matilda the Musical,” have released their debut CD, “Live at 54 Below: Live Out Loud!”
She juggles work and school by studying with a tutor between rehearsal breaks. One recent assignment was analyzing a character in the Judith Guest novel “Ordinary People.”
Abigail acknowledges that being in a show is a responsibility. “And a lot of fun,” she says.
“Liberty: A Monumental New Musical” runs Oct. 14-Nov. 25 at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place). Tickets are $69 at libertythemusical.com.