New York City
The 14-year-old performer will portray a young French immigrant in late 19th century New York.
Abigail Shapiro will take on the title role in Liberty: A Monumental New Musical, set to play a limited engagement at Theatre 80 from October 14-November 25.
Directed by Evan Pappas, Liberty: A Monumental New Musical tells the story of a determined, young French immigrant who arrives alone in New York Harbor in 1884. The piece features a book and lyrics by Dana Leslie Goldstein with music by Jon Goldstein, and is adapted from original material by Dana Leslie Goldstein, Jon Goldstein, and Robert Bruce McIntosh.
Fourteen-year-old Shapiro is best known for her performance as Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Madison Square Garden. She and her younger sister Milly (one of the original stars of Matilda The Musical on Broadway), recently released their debut album, Live at 54 Below: Live Out Loud! Joining Shapiro in the cast will be Emma Rosenthal (Brigadoon) as Emma Lazurus, Ben McHugh (Mamma Mia!) as Walker, Cheryl Stern (La Cage aux Folles) as Moscowitz/Schuyler, Tom Souhrada (Mary Poppins) as McKay/Pulitzer, Ryan Duncan (Shrek) as Goodleaf, C. Mingo Long (South Pacific) as Samuel, and Andrew DiTusa as Giovanni.
"The powerfully petite Abigail Shapiro will bring an unexpected freshness to the monumental role of Liberty," said producer Theresa Wozunk. "Approximately 70,000 children will show up alone at U.S. borders this year, a 50% increase from the year before. Some of these children are coming to meet parents who left years ago; others are escaping violence. We are honored to be able to bring the story of the nation’s most notable immigrant to the stage to illustrate with warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty, the challenges faced by immigrants past and present."
The creative team for Liberty: A Monumental New Musical includes musical direction and arrangements by Jeffrey Lodin, sets by Tim Golebiewski, and costumes by Debbi Hobson.
For tickets and more information, click here.