A Tribute to the Life & Music of Laura Nyro
Written & Performed by Mimi Cohen
Directed by Gretchen Cryer
Music Arranged by Jeffrey Klitz
Mimi Cohen's "To Carry On…", is a one-woman tribute to the life and music of Laura Nyro as the ultimate role model for girls and women. Mimi portrays key characters in Nyro’s life like David Geffen, Laura’s parents, and Artie Mogull who first signed Laura. Mimi weaves more than a dozen of Laura’s now classic hit songs through the story of Laura’s early years in the music industry. Hits include; “Wedding Bell Blues” by the 5th Dimension, “And When I Die” by Blood Sweat and Tears, “Eli’s Comin’” by Three Dog Night, and “Stoney End” by Barbra Streisand. Mimi portrays the joy and frustration Laura must have felt as an emerging pop star, just barely out of her teens. Mimi finds the intrinsic confidence that aided Laura in navigating through the ups and downs of her imminent adult life. Using her strong vocal prowess and funny characterizations of real people and events in Laura’s life, Mimi illuminates the rite of passage girls experience when becoming women. Girls seem to lose their voices, but Mimi shows one girl who always sang with abandon and never lost her voice, … Laura Nyro. The intent of To Carry On… is to pass on Laura’s gift of authenticity and self-confidence to the next generation of young women. The play is directed by Gretchen Cryer, most well-known for writing the book, lyrics and starring in “I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It On The Road.” Joseph Papp originally produced the play in 1978 and it ran for three years at Circle in the Square. Currently, Mr. Klitz is the music director/conductor of the hit Broadway musical, "Priscilla of the Desert." Klitz's previous Broadway work includes, "Guys & Dolls," "Hot Feet," and "Lennon."
