The Tattooed Lady

Philadelphia Theatre Company

Once on This Island, 2018, costumes by Clint Ramos, Circle in the Square Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus. — *Once on This Island*, 2018, costumes by Clint Ramos, Circle in the Square Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Love! Valour! Compassion!, Terrence McNally, Philadelphia Theatre Company. Photo by Peter Aaron/Esto. — *Love! Valour! Compassion!,* Terrence McNally, Philadelphia Theatre Company. Photo by Peter Aaron/Esto.

Recipient

Grant Year 2020

Grant Amount $360,000

Status Completed

Updated May 30, 2023

A musical by librettist Erin Courtney and composer Max Vernon will foreground the bravery, artistry, and bodily autonomy of a group of women who embraced personal transformation through tattoos. Directed by Ellie Heyman, the work will explore expressions of the self and a path through “otherness.” The fictional tale of a bond between mother and daughter will be wedded to a research-based historical survey of sideshow performers who made the radical choice to transform their lives through tattoos. The Tattooed Lady will incorporate animation, projection, and choreographed movement, with a score that will blend elements of jazz, blues, rock and roll, opera, waltz, country, and art song to paint a musical portrait of America.

The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

Primary EventsEvents & Exhibitions

Betty Broadbent, the 'Tattooed Venus', Sydney, Australia, 1938. Photo by Ray Olsen for Pix Magazine, courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales.

The Tattooed Lady World Premiere

Oct 29–Nov 20, 2022
Philadelphia Theatre Company 215 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

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Recipient

Philadelphia Theatre Company

Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) produces, develops, and presents contemporary theater work focused on the American experience. Since its founding in 1974, PTC has presented more than 200 world and Philadelphia premieres, with more than half of its world premieres touring to other major cities.

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