Center: Composer/producer Sheila Firestone; Second row, L to R: Jaqueline Kaskel, Rose Lopater, Rebbekah Faustin, Heidi Marie Salonia. Back row, L to R: Sandy Lopater, Walter Munoz Jr, David Presler.
A new musical, Miriam and the Women of the Desert, composed by Sheila Firestone, premiered on February 24, 2019 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, Florida. This fascinating Biblical story of Miriam and the women who surround her is told in a fully-staged musical production with a cast of talented singers.
The audience was privileged be the first to see and enjoy Miriam and the Women of the Desert, a musical accomplishment that Sheila Firestone has worked on for twenty-two years. The musical tells the story of the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt through the eyes of Miriam, a prophetess and sister of Moses and Aaron. It takes the audience on a musical journey, exploring family relationships, many forms of love and generational heritage. Though the story dates back thousands of years, it’s relevance in today’s women’s movement for equality is most timely.
The production has a cast of seven professionally-trained singers and an instrumental ensemble. Costumes recreate Biblical garb, and projected scenic designs, created by Pen Woman artist Bonita Tabakin, depict the mood of the desert.
Miriam’s story of her journey through the desert, surrounded by other Biblical women – Zipporah, Yocheved and the midwives – is drawn from texts of the Torah and Midrash. “This musical is the realization of a vision started in Israel that spans many years of musical study and interest in religion, particularly regarding the role of Biblical women and their family relationships,” Sheila explained.
Sheila Firestone Sheila is a member of the Executive Board of the Boca Raton Branch of Pen Women. She is an accomplished composer who has studied musical composition since 1987. As a Delian Society member, her orchestral works have been performed in Seattle, WA, France, England and Japan. Her Trio and Dance composition was performed in Washington, DC. Abraham Lincoln, a choral work, was published in Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln Commemorative Collage produced by the National League of American Pen Women.
Miriam and the Women of the Desert will be performed on March 28 through April 7, 2019 at the Empire Stage Theatre, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Visit www.miriamandthewomenofthedesert.com.