"Fix your eyes on me. This is a day that we'll remember." 

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After a successful reading in December of 2019, TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE returns with improvements for another look, in podcast form! See renderings of sets and costumes, hear early demos, learn about Nellie Bly, hear a discussion with the writers and producer, hear a full professional recording of the show in its current draft,  and provide your feedback! 

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The episodes: 

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Episode 1: Why Nellie Bly? - Available August 14
Dig into the fascinating story behind the show! In 1887, reporter Nellie Bly received the assignment of a lifetime:  Get herself committed to Blackwell's Island Insane Asylum and report on what she saw.  Composer and lyricist Jennifer Hedstrom, book-writer and lyricist Karen Saari, Director Meghan Randolph, and Directing Intern Trinity Gardner talk about Nellie Bly's story: How she ended up at Blackwell's Island, what it was like there, the era in which she did this, and what it all meant. 

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Episode 2: Making a Musical - Available August 14

Get a peek behind the scenes of creating a new musical! Jennifer, Karen, Meghan, and Trinity talk about why Nellie Bly's story was chosen to musicalize, how their process worked, characters and moments that were added to the show from its December reading, and what they want to find out from listeners as they prepare for the full production in 2021. 

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Episode 3: Ten Days In A Madhouse: Act I - Available August 21

A professionally recorded audio presentation of the show in its current draft. Nellie Bly gets her assignment, arrives at Blackwell's Island, and meets fascinating women, including many who are not insane. The terrifying Nurse Grupe is threatened by Nellie, the women try to save the increasingly ailing Tillie Mayard, and the patients are subjected to horrifying baths. 

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Episode 4: Ten Days In A Madhouse: Act II - Available August 21
A professionally recorded audio presentation of the show in its current draft. Nellie soothes the women with music,  A seemingly silent Mrs. Freeman lets us gives a glimpse into her mind. Sarah Fishbaum shares her sexy and hilarious philosophy on life, Tillie gets sicker, Nurse Grupe loses her cool, and a surprise guest arrives at the asylum. Later, Nellie tells their stories, and change begins. 

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Episode 5: What we learned - Available September 15 (Date subject to change.) 
Jennifer, Karen, Meghan, and Trinity review feedback from listeners and address questions and comments.