The Other Mozart
About the show
Little Matchstick Factory presents a solo show detailing the true story of Nannerl Mozart, the sister of Amadeus: a prodigy, keyboard virtuoso, and composer in her own right. More…
This one-woman show is based on facts, stories, and lines pulled directly from the Mozart family's letters. The production includes music composed by Amadeus Mozart and Marianna Martines (a female composer who inspired Nannerl), as well as original compositions for clavichords, music boxes, bells, teacups, fans, and other ordinary objects. The performance creates a multi-sensory experience and transports the audience into a world of beauty—but also of overwhelming restrictions and prejudice. This is where the other Mozart at last tells her story.
"'The Other Mozart' is astounding from start to finish, with one actor, one set and a trove of history and humor...Sylvia Milo's creation and writing, coupled with Isaac Byrnes' direction, is transcendental. Visually stunning and utterly captivating, Jody Christopherson delivers a winning performance as Nannerl...The musical score, composed by Nathan Davis and Phyllis Chen, adds the perfect touch to this multi-sensory performance." Full Review
"Jody Christopherson beautifully and poignantly engages the audience with this haunting story of Nannerl’s life...Under the flawless direction of Isaac Byrne, the music created by Nathan Davis and Phyllis Chen supported the narrative laid out by Christopherson...And how apropos and timely this piece is in the climate we are enduring. A feminist manifesto of how it was for women and how fortunate we are today." Full Review
"Christopherson is by turns commanding, charming, and childlike in the role...Milo’s thoughtful script empathizes as much with the Mozart family as with Nannerl herself...Powerful and evocative in any context, this revival could not come at a more fitting time. As women’s voices simultaneously gain prominence and face threat in our society, it becomes all the more crucial to consider which version of history we receive, and pay attention to perspectives once diminished or marginalized." Full Review
for a previous production "'The Other Mozart' is the most dynamic, theatrical, and moving one woman show I have ever seen. It's truly wonderful, and I cannot recommend it enough...If you love the art of the theatre, the history of music, the conflicts of gender roles, or the power of storytelling, you simply must see this production before it moves on." Full Review
for a previous production "'The Other Mozart' is a thrilling and sensual evening of theatre. My senses were completely on edge by the final moments; I wanted it to end yet I wanted, almost needed, to see it all over again. I feel almost overwhelmed to know about his sister now and I need to know more." Full Review
for a previous production "Sylvia Milo's stunning play 'The Other Mozart' operates and succeeds on several levels...It's a life displayed in all its fullness and tragedy in a crystalline hour and 20 minutes. Milo's remarkably surefooted performance walks the line between mannered and raw. Words on a screen can't do it justice. New Yorkers, go and see 'The Other Mozart.'" Full Review
for a previous production "'The Other Mozart' manages to be not just informative but also incredibly enjoyable. One would not have to know anything about Mozart to enjoy the piece...An exemplary piece that reminds us that when we talk about history from uncommon angles there are often gems that have been hidden." Full Review
for a previous production "Writer Milo endows her subject with an irrepressible spirit that makes you root for her and hope for a better outcome. Director Isaac Byrne milks the suspense throughout, heightening it with an ever-present musical underscoring...At a brisk 75 minutes, 'The Other Mozart' is full of surprises all the way to the end." Full Review
for a previous production "This solo show is a revealing and thought-provoking story...The sounds and music are often in the background so as to not overcome the solo performer’s voice. Being a classical music lover and a Mozart fan, I would have loved to hear more music...This play is ultimately a sad and contemplative story about Maria Anna Mozart...Director Isaac Byrne presents a striking visual ending." Full Review
for a previous production "What was so interesting about this piece was that it not only told a story that was absolutely unknown to me, but it incorporated rich and fascinating details. The staging was magnificent and ingenious with the entire play, which was enthusiastically performed by Milo, revolving around a skirt that Milo wears...The emotion that Milo puts into her performance is enthralling." Full Review
for a previous production “Nannerl prances, swan-like across the stage like a music box figurine sprung to life. As she gleefully, defiantly, tramples over the garment’s layers, she is also haunted by the architectural wooden corset at its center, which threatens both her physical movement and her professional ambitions...In Milo’s captivating script, interwoven with diary entries letters from her father and brother Amadeus, Nannerl is a creature of gamine charm, grace and fortitude." Full Review
for a previous production "Sylvia Milo’s luscious depiction of the life of Wolfgang Mozart’s lesser known sister Nannerl eschews the dreaded bio-adaptation problem – and it does so with class and evocative energy. In Isaac Byrne’s elegantly minimalist production, the life of Mozart’s older sister is recounted with graceful sophistication." Full Review
for a previous production "This production, led by the fiercely talented director, Isaac Byrne, has a beautiful aesthetic...Although at times, Milo’s performance is a bit too sweet and measured, the facts behind the life of Nannerl and the gorgeous design make this show one to see." Full Review
for a previous production "Ms. Milo has a balletic grace, and it’s easy to imagine her slender hands at the keys of a clavichord. But Nannerl’s uneventful life, unjust though it may have been, is a dramaturgical liability. The show becomes a sad what-if." Full Review
for a previous production "Anyone with even a modest liking for the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will enjoy this sweet but thoughtful piece, and all but the most jaded musicologist will find it worth their while. Playwrights should see it too, as an example of how political and social points can be set into place clearly, lovingly, and without mallets." Full Review
for a previous production "Throughout the piece, we are presented with many (perhaps too many) examples of how her gender prevented her from having a satisfying, creative life. The production is visually striking...The play has background music by Mozart, supplemented by original music. It made for an interesting 75 minutes, although I was left wishing there had been more biographical explication and less repetitiveness about how Nannerl suffered for her gender." Full Review
for a previous production "A writer has to create a plot out of life, which is often plot-less. Ms. Milo is unable to do that here, which does not stop her from plunging in to the void left by the omission of Marianna’s presence at her brother’s side on the world stage. It is a shameful loss, and Milo gets that point across in spades...While this production is not as vital as the story itself, it will nevertheless inform and possibly transform how you view not only music of old, but the present day as well." Full Review
See it if you enjoy history plays, love Mozart and want your mind blown Jody Christopherson played Nannerl in my performance and she was breathtaking.
Don't see it if No. You must see it. Go before it closes.
See it if you are interested in new stories
Don't see it if don't like music
See it if you enjoy solo shows that spotlight 1 of history's lost women; you like solo shows scored by period music that transport you to another era
Don't see it if you don't like Mozart's music; you prefer modern times; you need a big production to keep your interest
Also Paulie Rijos had just joined the show (written by Sylvia Milo) and she... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy one woman shows. Great energy, thought-provoking theater. Historical and interesting.
Don't see it if you don't enjoy one-woman shows. It's an excellent show- see it!
See it if You want a glimpse of the beauty and pain in an artist's soul.
Don't see it if You hate one person shows.
See it if you're a feminist, you like the story behind classical music, you like solo shows, you're interested in unconventional staging
Don't see it if you want spectacle, you need movement, you don't have an interest in Mozart, you are uncomfortable in tiny spaces
See it if Colorful, lively solo performance that paints a glorious, then shackled, then mature, portrait of Maria Mozart. By the end, I was in tears.
Don't see it if You are not interested in a 19th century solo biography with a feminist perspective. You don't enjoy classical music.
See it if You want to see an interesting story played to perfection. The performance is worth the time invested.
Don't see it if You don't like one-people shows. You don't like to watch a single performer play multiple roles.
Also Appreciate this is a one-woman show in a small, intimate space; this i... Read more Read less
See it if To explore society's confinement of women, For "her"story of the period, For interesting & simple staging & compelling performance
Don't see it if You dislike one person plays or you would be too uncomfortable in a space where you can hear street noises and sounds from adjoining venues.
See it if you're a Mozart fan - and you're looking for a powerful, experimental one woman show, with very interesting yet simple stage design
Don't see it if you're looking for something lighthearted or a big production piece
Also the acting was not my favorite - but it worked; I really enjoyed the i... Read more Read less
See it if You love the story of Mozart, his family and entertaining fiction.
Don't see it if You're not enamored at all with Mozart
See it if you like one-woman shows about history, it's a good story with an unexpectedly deep plot, the show resonated with me
Don't see it if you are not interested in what happened behind the scenes with Mozart or the overlooked, talented women in history
See it if You want to see a different take on the life of one of the world's most famous composers
Don't see it if You do not enjoy modern, imaginative or creative theatre
See it if you'd like to see an appealing solo show or want to know more about Mozart's family, opportunities for, and injustice toward, women.
Don't see it if you don't like intimate theatre, creative costume work or feminism.
See it if you like one-woman shows about history. It's heavy on plot. Attempts at creating different characters failed. It's a good story.
Don't see it if you don't like hot theaters. you want something with more than one dimension. you want something with lots of action, it's slow at times.
See it if You like Mozart
Don't see it if You don't like Mozart
See it if You like monologues, history and classic music.
Don't see it if You don't like small theaters, monologues and true story
See it if Totally engrossing. The play, a monologue, was outstandingly acted. Relevant for women and the continued tendency to be overlooked.
Don't see it if you do not like great theatre.
See it if You love history, you're a feminist, you enjoy innovative structure and ataging.
Don't see it if You're a misogynist who prefers effects over story.
See it if clasical music
Don't see it if not sure
See it if you are interested in classical music and like alternative storytelling.
Don't see it if you're looking for traditional storytelling.
See it if You love learning about historical characters one woman shows and great storytelling. Beautiful simple creativity that delivers a rich story
Don't see it if Go see it.
Cast & Creatives (12)
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