Photos by Marina McClure
An original play with music, written by Howard Fishman and featuring the songs and letters of the obscure American singer, guitarist and composer Connie Converse (1924-?).
"Incredible, as was she; the show had me transfixed, joyful, and grateful. It reminded me, yet again, of what art is for."
- Sarah Larson, THE NEW YORKER
"A STAR HAS BURNT MY EYE" has had workshop showings at The Rattlestick Theater, Abrons Arts Center, Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, at the VOX FESTIVAL at Dartmouth College, and most recently at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn, NY, featuring the performers Howard Fishman, Charlotte Mundy, Jean Rohe and Liam Robinson. The play will have its world premiere in Fall 2016 -- watch this space!
"The mystery of American composer Connie Converse's disappearance in 1974 is ongoing, and she may be lost forever. But her spectacular music has been rescued and elevated to a marvelous level -- first by the music engineer Gene Deitch who recorded her in his kitchen in the 1950s, and very recently by Howard Fishman in a terrific evening in New York.
These are great songs with unusual diversity, and the sweet and bluesey and classical voices with Fishman bringthem vividly back to us. It's a great performance, and it demands more for Connie Converse -- concerts, a Broadway show, a film musical. Her music belongs to an America that barely knows it exists. It's time for someone to rectify this historical neglect of a remarkable artist of the song."
- William Kennedy, Pulitzer-prize winning author of Ironweed
Read more about this project on GRASS CLIPPINGS
Watch and listen to clips from this show: