Belle of Amherst

“The Belle of Amherst is a love affair with language, a celebration of all that is beautiful and poignant in life.” (William Luce, playwright) This Tony Award-winning play tells the touching and often humorous story of Emily Dickinson, the 19th century poet whose work and talents were never recognized while she was living. In an intimate setting, the poetess invites the audience into her life and work. Through anecdotes and her interactions with various “characters” from her past, as well as through the sharing of her best loved poems integrated into a context, Miss Emily reveals what makes her “tick,” what inspires her poetry, and the inner workings of her mind and heart. Though the real-life Emily was extremely reserved, in fact reclusive, the artist within was always eager to share, admire, express and inspire. So that is the Emily we meet in this play; alive with noise and humor. It is the soul of “The Belle,” the message of Emily’s art which speaks to us here. If her heart could talk, it might be this play, “this enterprise of simple beauty!”

“CRITIC’S PICK!” Backstage West

LA WEEKLY says: “GO!”

“TRIUMPHANT! RIVETING!” The Tolucan

“A SOUL-SATISFYING PRODUCTION. BURNS DOESN’T MISS A BEAT!” Noho Arts District

“THIS ONE-WOMAN SHOW MUST BE SEEN BY EVERYONE!” Stage Happenings