Respect: A Musical Journey of Women

In this photo, I am standing directly behind one of the most creative, insightful and pioneering playwrights around. Her name is Dorothy Marcic and her play, Respect: A Musical Journey of Women, is the first expression of the progress women have made in the past century through songs by women. She found an untapped wealth of lenses through which to look at the changing attitudes, roles and expectations of women.

Our smiles are so radiant because we had just finished screening a video recording of a performance of the play. Dr. Marcic used songs from some of my favorite soundtracks, which I think Neda and my Baba will be especially excited about: "You Don't Own Me" (First Wives Club), "Tell Him" and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (My Best Friend's Wedding), "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and "Something Good" (The Sound of Music), and much more.

The story behind the birth of the play is a classic one of stumbling upon a good idea, then realizing it is a great idea from the reaction of others, following your dream and having faith in yourself. Far better than I can tell it, the Web site for the show explains how it came to be. Please, if you have an opportunity to catch a performance, GO! Buy your tickets now because they sell out quickly.... Oh, and did I mention Dr. Marcic is my friend Roxanne's mom?

http://www.respectthemusical.com/about.html