SONGS WITHOUT WORDS (Or, The Mendelssohn Play)

by Jennifer Vosters

WINNER OF THE 2024 OSBORN NEW PLAY AWARD.
You may have heard of the great composer F. Mendelssohn. You may not have heard there were two. Equally talented siblings Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn were each other's chief supporters and best friends. But under the constraints of an unforgiving world, there was only room for one to be great. SONGS WITHOUT WORDS is the funny, tragic, and heartfelt story of one artistic...

WINNER OF THE 2024 OSBORN NEW PLAY AWARD.
You may have heard of the great composer F. Mendelssohn. You may not have heard there were two. Equally talented siblings Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn were each other's chief supporters and best friends. But under the constraints of an unforgiving world, there was only room for one to be great. SONGS WITHOUT WORDS is the funny, tragic, and heartfelt story of one artistic soul inhabiting two very different artists. Featuring a solo actor's tour-de-force performance as both Fanny and Felix, SONGS WITHOUT WORDS wrestles enduring questions of gender and genius, family and fame, siblinghood and the power of art.

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SONGS WITHOUT WORDS (Or, The Mendelssohn Play)

Recommended by

  • Liz Coley: SONGS WITHOUT WORDS (Or, The Mendelssohn Play) by Jennifer Vosters
    “

    In a word, brilliant. This is a gorgeous and moving piece of theatre for one versatile actor. The playwright herself has presented it to critical acclaim. As a side effect, I suddenly want to order sheet music and listen to the compositions mentioned and excerpted in the sound design. What is a successful life? What is genius? What is immortal?

    In a word, brilliant. This is a gorgeous and moving piece of theatre for one versatile actor. The playwright herself has presented it to critical acclaim. As a side effect, I suddenly want to order sheet music and listen to the compositions mentioned and excerpted in the sound design. What is a successful life? What is genius? What is immortal?

    ”

Character Information

FANNY and FELIX must be played by the same actor. That actor can be of any gender,
race, ethnicity, ability, or age.
  • FANNY
    Fanny Hensel, née Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1805-1847). The host.
    The elder sister. A genius. Her age ranges from early 20s to 41.
  • FELIX
    FELIX: Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847). The entertainment.
    The younger brother. A genius. His age ranges from 17 to 38.

Production History

  • Fringe, Cincinnati Fringe Festival, 2024
  • Fringe, Green Bay Fringe Festival, 2024
  • Fringe, Saskatoon Fringe Festival, 2024
  • Professional, Convergence-Continuum "Tweener Series", 2024
  • Fringe, Milwaukee Fringe Festival, 2023

Awards

  • Best International Show
    Saskatoon Fringe Festival
    Winner
    2024
  • Audience Favorite
    Green Bay Fringe Festival
    Winner
    2024
  • Pick of the Fringe
    Green Bay Fringe Festival
    Winner
    2024
  • Critics' Pick of the Fringe
    Cincinnati Fringe Festival
    Winner
    2024
  • M. Elizabeth Osborn Award
    American Theatre Critics Association
    Winner
    2024