ESTHERELLA
Subtitle
An original Musical Comedy
Based on the Biblical story of Esther
From an idea by Linda Kaufman
Book by Wendy L. Waller
Music and Lyrics by Linda Kaufman
Treatment For Estherella
Old Testament meets California modern in ESTHERELLA, the musical that retells the story of the Jewish orphan who becomes the Queen of Persia. Nominated for Best Original Script and winner of the San Antonio Globe Award for Best Original Score, this show offers the most appealing of romantic comedy formats - a Cinderella story - but our heroine is far from a beauty queen. Rather she is a funny, spunky, intelligent and sometimes smart-mouthed young woman who, with the help of her cousin Mordecai, is thrust upon the pages of history in an amazon twist of events.
As ESTHERELLA opens, the king of Persia issues a nationwide call for a prospective bride. The search turns into the Miss America pageant of 486 B.C.E. with all the rigors of training, the eager anticipation of star struck hopefuls and the nervous tension of anxious mentors. Encouraged by the king’s agent and her cousin Mordecai, (The Power of a Dream) Esther reluctantly agrees to participate ("If God wanted me to be queen, do you think He would have given me these thighs?”) and soon becomes the favorite of Hegai (pronounced He-gay) the Richard Simmons knock-off who is the chief eunuch. Though she has moments when she misses her Jewish life outside the palace, (Oh, How I Miss Them Tonight) Esther becomes the bride of the ruler of the known world. She follows Mordecai’s advice and does not tell the king that she is Jewish.
However, sinister forces are at work. Mordecai discovers a plan to assassinate the king. By saving the king’s life, he incurs the wrath of Hamas, the king's chief advisor. In retaliation, Hamas manipulates the king into ordering the extermination of all the Jews in the kingdom. This event causes Esther to face her major dilemma: should she remain silent and enjoy her life as queen or must she reveal her religious heritage and risk banishment or even death? (They Don’t Even Know I’m Jewish) When her long-time friend is murdered by Haman, she can keep still no longer. (This is My Moment) Despite the danger, she forges ahead and devises a scheme to topple Hamas and save her people. All end happily with Esther and the king in love (Feelings Stirring), Haman dead and Mordecai promoted to chief advisor.
As ESTHERELLA opens, the king of Persia issues a nationwide call for a prospective bride. The search turns into the Miss America pageant of 486 B.C.E. with all the rigors of training, the eager anticipation of star struck hopefuls and the nervous tension of anxious mentors. Encouraged by the king’s agent and her cousin Mordecai, (The Power of a Dream) Esther reluctantly agrees to participate ("If God wanted me to be queen, do you think He would have given me these thighs?”) and soon becomes the favorite of Hegai (pronounced He-gay) the Richard Simmons knock-off who is the chief eunuch. Though she has moments when she misses her Jewish life outside the palace, (Oh, How I Miss Them Tonight) Esther becomes the bride of the ruler of the known world. She follows Mordecai’s advice and does not tell the king that she is Jewish.
However, sinister forces are at work. Mordecai discovers a plan to assassinate the king. By saving the king’s life, he incurs the wrath of Hamas, the king's chief advisor. In retaliation, Hamas manipulates the king into ordering the extermination of all the Jews in the kingdom. This event causes Esther to face her major dilemma: should she remain silent and enjoy her life as queen or must she reveal her religious heritage and risk banishment or even death? (They Don’t Even Know I’m Jewish) When her long-time friend is murdered by Haman, she can keep still no longer. (This is My Moment) Despite the danger, she forges ahead and devises a scheme to topple Hamas and save her people. All end happily with Esther and the king in love (Feelings Stirring), Haman dead and Mordecai promoted to chief advisor.
Current cast
Subtitle
Listen to some of ESTHERELLA songs.