Development History:
- 2016: Featured at NAMT Songwriter Showcase
- 2016: Yale Institute for Music Theater
- 2015: The White City in Concert as part of the New Orchestrations Series with The Chelsea Symphony
- 2015: Finalist for the Richard Rogers Award
- 2014: The White City In Concert @ 54 Below
- 2014: Ball State University New Musicals Festival
- 2014: O'Neill National Music Theatre Conference
- 2013: 29-hour reading at NYU's Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.
Words by Julia Gytri
Music by Avi Amon
Chicago, 1893. Twenty years after the infamous fire, the city hopes to regain and further its global status by hosting the World’s Columbian Exposition. Countries from far and wide boast the latest in technological advancement as the planet plunges deeper into industrial revolution. Change is tangible: every scientist, scholar, and business tycoon in attendance hopes to propel society into a shining new era.
We follow Lucy, a rambunctious sharpshooter from the Old West, as she explores the Chicago World's Fair, thrilled by the fast-paced modernity of city life. But trouble simmers beneath the façade of the shimmering “White City” when young women begin to go missing as Henry Howard Holmes, a local doctor, exploits the innovations and technologies presented at the fair for his own demented purposes. When Holmes sets his sights on Lucy, she realizes that this industrial revolution has the potential to both benefit and destroy humanity.
Loosely based on the true story of America’s first recognized serial killer, H.H. Holmes, The White City is a full-length musical featuring an energetic score influenced by nineteenth century romantic music and classic country sounds.
The O'Neill cast, led by director, Tim Seib, rehearsing the opening number for The White City. Photo by A. Vincent Scarano.
