Paravi Das, one of the performers in "Dear Everything." (Photo by Jenny Anderson)
V, formerly known as Eve Ensler, has a new musical production that she hopes will ignite a groundswell of environmental action in the same way that her popular play, "The Vagina Monologues," sparked a new wave of feminism.
Billed as a concert-musical hybrid, "Dear Everything: A Musical Uprising for the Earth," comes to South Florida for one night at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Sunday, Sept. 28.
A Tony award-winning playwright, V has won multiple awards for "The Vagina Monologues," along with other plays, and she is also a bestselling author and filmmaker.
Paravis Das, Luke Ferrari and the company (Photo by Jenny Anderson)
But the environment was not on her radar until "10 years ago, when I moved to the country," she says. "I moved to the woods, and I feel in love with the earth. That transformed my desire to see her, honor her and protect her."
Her new production, which V (she changed her name in 2019) calls "a musical uprising," has been several years in the making.
The show, then called "WILD," opened at Harvard University's American Repertory Theater, but was cut short by the pandemic.
This past January, the revamped production, now titled "Dear Everything" debuted in January at Manhattan's Terminal 5, and then, this month, kicked off its U.S. tour in Atlanta, and is coming to Miami Beach before heading to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.
Directed by Tony award-winner Diane Paulus, the music is by Grammy nominee Justin Tranter, along with Caroline Pennell and Eren Cannata, with lyrics by Tranter, Pennell and V, along with contributions by Tony award-winner Idina Menzel.
The "Dear Everything" company (Photo by Jenny Anderson)
The show has gone through several different iterations, says V, although she doesn't want to discuss its current form in detail because she likes to keep some aspects of it as a surprise.
"It's now a musical per se, it's a new form, a storytelling concert. It's a way of telling a story that's new and contemporary and meets where we are. Our performers are fantastic, and the songs are brilliant, and stay in your mind."
Including a children's choir wasn't part of the original concept, but after performing in Boston, V says: "It became clear we had one number that needed a group of children, so we brought in the Boston Children's Choir. We loved it so much, and the children loved it so much that, from there, we realized these productions had to be children-driven."
V, formerly Eve Ensler, created "Dear Everything," which is making a stop in Miami Beach on Sunday, Sept. 28, before heading to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. (Photo by Jenny Anderson)
In the current climate, though, V realizes that the issue of climate change has become politicized, so this is her bid in changing that.
"One of the beautiful things about art and theater is that it's not right or left, this piece involves characters in a story, and perhaps you can find yourself in one of them, and you can come to have more respect for trying to survive in the now, as well as figuring out how we can build a world where honoring the earth is possible."
For every production, a children's musical organization is tapped, and, here, it's the Miami Children's Chorus.
The chorus was approached in July by the "Dear Everything" team and asked if they would like to participate, says Sophia Miller, the non-profit organization's interim artistic director.
The choir's mission it "to provide experiences that empower young artists to foster a more socially conscious community," so, when Miller, the organization's interim director, was approached, it seemed perfect, she says.
"Lifting our voices together in song is really powerful, so when we can get together to deliver a powerful message, that's even more special, she says.
On Sunday, 23 of the organization's members, ages 14 to 22, will perform seven songs, she says.
"They are very excited. To start our season with something so powerful and moving, and with costumes, well, it just has brought everything to a professional level that's ignited everyone."
That the piece is being performed in Miami Beach was also important to her, V says.
YDE and Luke Ferrari in "Dear Everything." (Photo by Jenny Anderson)
"Miami is going through a lot in terms of climate crisis; it's one of the cities that's really perched on the edge, so it's really important to do it here."
Known for writing works with powerful messages, V always takes care to make sure that they are not preachy, but also entertaining.
"The piece is full of joy, and full of songs, and, because it's youth-driven, it has a vitality to it. People just seem to find it really inspiring," she says, adding, "We are living in really had times and people need to know they need to be part of the community."
What: Dear Everything, A Musical Uprising for the Earth
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28.
Where: Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
Tickets: $35 general admission, $25 students
Information: https://miamibeachbandshell.com/event/dear-everything-a-musical-uprising-for-the-earth/
