A Movement Opera based on the true story of Franceska Mann
created by Cassandra Rosebeetle and JL Marlor
July 14 – 31, 2022
Thursday-Saturday 8pm and Sunday 5pm
Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre
338 W 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
Tickets
Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre will present the premiere of THE FINAL VEIL, a unique blend of theater, opera and dance. It tells the true story of Franceska Mann, a Polish-Jewish dancer who demonstrated resistance and strength amid the horrors of the Holocaust. When Mann was brought to Auschwitz, she and the other arrivals were sent to the gas chambers and told to remove their clothing. According to eyewitnesses, Franceska performed a distracting striptease, after which she managed to grab a gun, shoot, and fatally wound one SS Guard and injure a second, before her own subsequent death. Her actions in Auschwitz tell the story of a woman desperate to spare her life and others, using the tools she gathered as a ballerina in occupied Poland.
THE FINAL VEIL is created by Cassandra Rosebeetle and JL Marlor and directed by Cassandra Rosebeetle. It features a score and libretto by JL Marlor using a live string quartet and four women singers to draw upon a rich history of Polish folk song and German cabaret music sewn together with contemporary classical music, underground jazz and 1930’s era Yiddish folksongs. It also features choreography by Katherine Crockett and Cassandra Rosebeetle and text written by Kate Mulley. Rounding out the production team are Micah Gleason (Music Director / Conductor), Brian Reager (Assistant Director), Ayumu “Poe” Saegusa (Lighting), Dan Daly (Scenic Design), Matthew Yohn (Sound Design) and Carly Dorman (Assistant Dance Director).
The all-woman cast stars Cassandra Rosebeetle as Franceska Mann with an ensemble of 3 dancers (Hallie Chametzky, Lauren Pagano and Lauren Barette), 4 singers (Heather Michele, Katie Lipow, Abagael Cheng and Katherine Lerner Lee), and 4 live musicians (Connie Li on violin, YoonJung Hwang on violin, Katya Barmotina on viola and Camille Dietrich on cello.)
THE FINAL VEIL runs July 14-17, 21-24, 28-31; Thursday – Saturday at 8pm & Sunday 5pm. Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre is located at 338 W. 23rd Street, New York, NY. 10011. Running time is 60 minutes. Vaccination information, including booster shot info if eligible, will be screened at the door to ensure this performance meets safety regulations that match that of New York City’s cultural establishments. All guests must wear masks unless actively eating or drinking. Tickets are $45 general admission / $75 VIP, available at www.thecelltheatre.org.
