Show Blurb
The Useful Citizen (formerly known as The Poorhouse Project) examines America's relationship with poverty vis-a-vis morality. Set in post-Civil War New York State, the musical loosely follows a controversial historical figure, Josephine "Effie" Lowell. A privileged Civil War widow, Effie dedicates her life to being a "useful" citizen and becomes a renowned charity reformer. Torn between the conflicting 19th Century ideas of charity as a Christian concept, as Social Darwinism, and as the responsibility of the Government, Effie claws her way up in a world ruled by men. Through her journey, Effie learns that some of her reforms hurt the people they are intended to help.
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Other historical characters include Rebekah Brower, a working-class single mother whose grave can be found at the Ulster County Poorhouse; NY Governor and Presidential hopeful Samuel J. Tilden; politicians Josiah Quincy and John Yates; charity reformer Louisa Lee Schuyler; and corrupt Superintendent of the Poor, James Vandevoort.
Development History
The Poorhouse Project has been developed in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop (NYC), including a masterclass with director Sarna Lapine; at Gainesville Theater Alliance (Georgia); at a MacDowell Fellowship (New Hampshire); and through a Drescher Leave and a SURE Grant at SUNY-New Paltz. The first draft was performed by students at the Gainesville Theatre Alliance in February 2022, directed by Tracey Brent-Chessum. Katya will be implementing feedback through rewrites at the Catwalk Residency in July 2022.
Sights & Sounds
Christiana Cole sings Rebekah Brower's song
"Who Gets to Decide" at Prospect Theater's REIGNITE series,
Symphony Space, NYC, October 2021
Sarah Ziegler sings Effie Lowell's song "What Comes Next"
as part of the Tin Pan Alley 2 Concert Series
SUNY-New Paltz students Gina Lardi and Chris Lunetta
sing a duet between two East Coast politicians, Josiah Quincy
and John Yates. Recorded as part of a SURE Grant, Summer 2021.
Chris Lunetta performs "The Wing for the Insane" as James Vandevoort