Summoning Sondheim

Summoning Sondheim is a musical theatre character comedy séance that uses the power of musical theatre to summon us theatre kids’ Lord and Savior, Stephen Sondheim.

Grace
O'Keefe
£515.00
raised of £2,500.00 goal
Ongoing
7 Backers
Genre
Musical
Scope
Feature
Seeking funding for
Development
Campaign type
Ongoing
Support project
    Project

    Summoning Sondheim

    Grace
    O'Keefe
    Genre
    Musical
    Seeking funding for
    Development
    Scope
    Feature
    Campaign type
    Ongoing

    Grace O'Keefe (Musical Comedy Award Best Newcomer 2024) and Jordana Belaiche (West End Credits: Little Cosette in Les Misérables, Jane in Mary Poppins, yes, really) host this silly little spooky séance. Their goal? To summon Stephen Sondheim.

    Featuring original book and music by Jordana and Grace (with an occasional Sondheim parody, of course), the show is a vehicle for elevating new voices in musical theatre while venerating Sondheim. This love letter to Sondheim is a testament to his legacy as both one of the world’s greatest artists and as a mentor to so many writers, exploring what it means to make art (after all, art isn’t easy!), the lack of a female musical theatre canon and how we “Summon Sondheim” every time we’re in a theatre.

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    A note from Grace:

    I've been in love with Stephen Sondheim since I was 13 years old (at least!) I'm very lucky to have three letters from a Theatre God and I'm even luckier to be doing this show with this incredibly talented team where we get to celebrate Sondheim's work, mind and magic.

    Writing is magic. Sondheim was a rare master who believed in teaching his craft. This show is about continuing his legacy by empowering new voices in musical theatre through divine feminine power (aka witchcraft). 

    Steve's biggest regret in life was not having children, but my biggest hope is that Summoning Sondheim shows him that he has generations of children in this world making art.

    If you want to join our truly magical journey, please consider backing our campaign. 

    We Believe in Steve,

    Grace xxx

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    We just had a sold out Work in Progress run at a Pinch of VAULT. We have a full hour of material, but are looking to refine the piece ahead of our Edinburgh run this summer. We’re currently adding more original music, and more magical elements to the show. 

    In preparation for a two week run at Just the Tonic, we are developing the show over multiple performances in the next five months. At Brighton Fringe, we are performing at Bar Broadway on May 17th, 18th and 24th. On June 14th, we’ll be at the New Wimbledon Theatre. We plan to perform at various cabaret/variety open mics between then and August, including The Queens of Cups own variety night, New Moon Monologues at the Museum of Comedy on July 6th. As part of Camden Fringe, we’ll be performing at the Museum of Comedy on August 3rd and 4th, and then at the West End Comedy Club on the 5th. We are performing at Just the Tonic from August 13th-26th at 4pm as part of Edinburgh Fringe. 

    The Queens of Cups are coming off of two sell out runs at EdFringe with their show Bad Teacher at Underbelly and we will be returning to EdFringe this year with Summoning Sondheim. 

    The Edinburgh Fringe is an incredible place to make connections and spread the word about your show, but it unfortunately is incredibly costly. Despite selling every ticket in our 115-seater last year for our entire run, we actually lost money at our last Edinburgh Fringe. This year, we've managed to cut costs by finding affordable accommodation (thank you Shirley from Theatre Digs Booker), but our budget is still around £4000.

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    If you love Sondheim, witchcraft or making art, we'd love for you to be a part of Summoning Sondheim's journey. We have a selection of rewards with new merch coming soon and we would love to have your support on our path to Edinburgh Fringe!

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    £515.00
    raised of £2,500.00 goal
    Ongoing
    7 Backers

    Pledge without reward:

    You can make a pledge to support Summoning Sondheim without a reward. The minimum donation is £1.00.
    £
    Summoning Sondheim Badge

    A thank you for supporting Summoning Sondheim. Shipping included. Estimated delivery December 2024.

    £5.00
    Part of the Company Coven

    Thank you for supporting Summoning Sondheim! You are officially a part of our Coven and will get a shout out on social media.

    £10.00
    Summoning Sondheim Totebag

    A Summoning Sondheim tote bag as a thank you for your support! Shipping is included. Arrival estimated Dec 2024 

    £30.00
    Broadway Baby Witch

    You're just a Broadway Baby Witch! You get a ticket to any Summoning Sondheim show on us (we may even be able to send you a sneaky video link) and a social media shout out.

    £50.00
    Witch from Next Door

    Only for those as legendary as Bernadette Peters, you'll get a shout out in our programme (and all the previously listed rewards)

    £70.00
    Magical Mover and Shaper

    You could get one ticket to Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway, orrr you could ensure Summoning Sondheim has a future life (up to you!). You'll get a special shout out in the programme (and all the previously listed rewards, including two VIP tickets to see Summoning Sondheim)

    £150.00
    Framed Stephen Sondheim Tarot Card

    Grace travelled to New York to bid on Stephen Sondheim's Tarot Cards and won the lot! You can own one of Sondheim's Tarot Cards as a thank you for donating to Summoning Sondheim. Shipping included!

    (13 remaining out of 13)
    £250.00
    Demi-God of the Theatre

    Pour one out for Dionysus, because a legend walks among us. You have our eternal gratitude, an Olympian shout out in the programme, and a Sondheim Tarot Card.

    £500.00
    Theatre God

    He walks among us! If you fund our entire campaign, then we are unworthy of your love.

    You'll get a sacredly special shout out in the programme, 12 VIP tickets to a Summoning Sondheim show of your choice, all the previous rewards, and basically anything else you want :)

    £1,000.00