About the Show

An unconventional musical written and composed by Tony Award-nominee Elizabeth Swados.

Set in an artists’ café during the Russian Revolution, this musical uses the words of influential poets from the time, translated by Helen Hayes Award-winner Paul Schmidt.

As the revolution swiftly turns and starts to persecute its own, the performers advocate for a free and just society, looking for meaning and purpose in their resistance. In light of the pressing issues our world faces today, The Beautiful Lady is a prescient reminder of the necessity of free speech and the enduring power of art.

Bessie and Obie Award-winning director Anne Bogart directs the music-theatre piece.

Critic Reviews (2)

"For all its talk of revolution, 'The Beautiful Lady' most bluntly conveys the continuity in Russian society...It’s no fun being a futurist in a society mired in the past, one that will never truly move forward until it releases the baggage of empire."
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There is much appealing in “The Beautiful Lady,” not least Liz Swados’ terrific score. There is also something appalling — what happened to most of these historical figures after the Russian Revolution. Does “The Beautiful Lady” have something for everyone? Thanks to the score, Anne Bogart’s engaging, energetic direction, and some memorable performances, the show rewards a broader audience than might normally be drawn to ninety minutes of poets and poetry.
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Cast and creative team