A Star Has Burnt My Eye

An original play with music, written by Howard Fishman and featuring the songs and letters of the obscure American singer, guitarist and composer Connie Converse (1924-?).

"Like stepping into a haunted dreamland."

- New York Times CRITICS' PICK, November 2016

The World Premiere production opened on November 9, 2016, at The NEXT WAVE FESTIVAL at the BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC (BAM), directed by Paul Lazar.

"The mystery of American composer Connie Converse's disappearance in 1974 is ongoing, and she may be lost forever. But her spectacular music has been rescued and elevated to a marvelous level - first by the music engineer Gene Deitch who recorded her in his kitchen in the 1950s, and very recently by Howard Fishman in a terrific evening in New York.

These are great songs with unusual diversity, and the sweet and bluesy and classical voices with Fishman bring them vividly back to us. It's a great performance, and it demands more for Connie Converse - concerts, a Broadway show, a film musical. Her music belongs to an America that barely knows it exists.  It's time for someone to rectify this historical neglect of a remarkable artist of the song."

- William Kennedy, Pulitzer-prize winning author of Ironweed

Event Pricing: Adults $18; Alumni & Seniors $15; Students & Children $12; FREE for anyone with a valid Castleton ID