A COLLECTIBLE SENSATION

A New Musical by Amy Engelhardt and Arianna Rose

(adapted from the play “The Equivalent of Sensation” by Arianna Rose)

TV Promo Interview with our Duluth Cast and Creatives January 2025

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A COLLECTIBLE SENSATION is a new musical in development by Arianna Rose (book and lyrics) and Amy Engelhardt (music and lyrics). Clayton Phillips is the attached director. It is an adaptation of the play The Equivalent of Sensation by Arianna Rose. The latest draft was completed in January 2025.

 SYNOPSIS

At the unveiling of the million-dollar renovation of their renowned Cone Collection at the Baltimore Museum of Modern Art, long dead sisters Etta and Claribel Cone suddenly materialize. "Family friend" Gertrude Stein and her paramour Alice Toklas (equally dead) also pop up, uninvited (much to Etta’s dismay). Their mission: to settle once and for all how the “Friendship” between Etta and Gertrude fell apart. Their younger selves appear to help them sort it all out.

The surrounding artwork miraculously comes to life, with each woman represented by a painting with special significance for them. Etta struggles with her feelings for Gertrude and her modern proclivities, at direct odds with her Victorian mores. Through a series of evocative vignettes, we are transported back to Baltimore, Paris and Italy at the turn of the century to learn what derailed the relationship (and suspected affair) and how Gertrude and Alice came to be a couple.

The musical is non-linear, moving between present time in the Cone Wing and memories with the younger selves of the four women. Artwork that also represents the women comes alive to comment and move the story forward. Fantasy sequences are created when past and present merge. At its heart, A COLLECTIBLE SENSATION is about believing in yourself and your right to exist in any expression you choose. Covert and overt feminism is celebrated in a time when women were expected to be heterosexual homemakers.

Featuring a cast of twelve women (plus optional additional ensemble) of any race and ethnicity, the score is written for a modern rhythm section (pop/rock) with strings for a more chamber-like, period feel.

Below are six representative demos from our musical. To receive a link to listen to the remainder of our demos, please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Characters

(any race or ethnicity to reflect the diversity in society)

 ETTA CONE:             woman, 40+, timid, subservient to older sister Claribel.  Household Manager, Art Collector. Repressed, finds her path through the study and collecting of art and textiles. Loves lace, piano, family.  Her looks are plain. Her figure buried under layers of petticoats and a black skirt, white blouse.

 CLARIBEL CONE:    woman, 40+,  Etta’s older sister,“the Empress”, Research Doctor, Public Speaker, Art Collector, charismatic, imperious, austere, demanding. A handsome and imposing woman. Petticoats and black skirt, white or black blouse. Often wore a black velvet cape with purple lining. 

 GERTRUDE STEIN: woman, 40+, charismatic, outspoken, melodic voice, Writer and Art Collector.  Lesbian. Large in every sense of the word. Flouts conventions and dresses for comfort; more masculine look, bohemian.

 ALICE B. TOKLAS: woman, 40+, quiet, determined, jealous streak, writer, lover of music, flowers, cooking, lesbian, life partner of Gertrude Stein. Always dressed well, wears a succession of fabulous hats, often wears sandals instead of shoes.

YOUNG ETTA:           woman, 20s.

YOUNG CLARIBEL:  woman, 20s.

YOUNG ALICE:          woman, 20s.

YOUNG GERTRUDE: woman, 20s.

 ODALISQUE :           Based on this painting by Henri Matisse: “Standing Odalisque Reflected in a Mirror” (1923). Special connection with Etta.

 WOMAN 2:                 based on the 1917 painting WOMAN IN TURBAN (Lorette) by Henri Matisse.  Special connection with CLARIBEL.

 WOMAN 3:                Based on “Portrait of Gertrude Stein”, Felix Vallotton, 1907.  Special connection to GERTRUDE.

WOMAN 4:                any race or ethnicity.  Based on “Portrait of A Girl” by Marie Laurencin, 1927. Special connection to ALICE.

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

 (adapted from The Equivalent of Sensation by Arianna Rose)

 Amy Engelhardt & Arianna Rose

Attached Director:  Clayton Phillips

 A Collectible Sensation is an adaptation of the full-length play The Equivalent of Sensation by Arianna Rose. 

Finalist (current): 2025 Musical Theatre West New WOrks Reading Festival, Long Beach CA. 1 of 6 finalist teams.

Reading, (30-minute excerpt) Rough Cuts, Nautilus Music Theatre  (MN), January 2025

Workshopped at The University of Minnesota/Duluth in January 2025, directed by Clayton Phillips. Three public readings at the conclusion of the workshop at the theatre space The Depot. Presented by Dunbar Hofmann Productions LLC.  

Finalist: 2024 Kleban Award for Libretto (top 26)

Finalist: 2024 Musical Theatre West New Works Reading Festival, Long Beach CA . Unable to advance to selection due to writers’ scheduling conflicts with the week of the festival.

Finalist: 2025 Tru/Streaming Musicals Reading Series, NYC. One of two finalists for this reading.

Semi-finalist:

2023 Eugene O’Neill New Musical Theatre Conference

2023 Normal Avenue NYC Nap Series.

Two Songs were featured in True Mirage Theater’s RESONATION 2024 for two performances at Main Street Playhouse, Hialeah FL March 2024.

One song was featured at 54 Below, in the Woman of the Wings Series Volume 5, in 2023.

The play it is based on has had substantial development – click here.

 A perusal copy of the current draft of the libretto is available for New Play Exchange members or by request. Click on this link below for New Play Exchange:

A Collectible Sensation perusal script

For More Information about A COLLECTIBLE SENSATION, to receive a link to all current demos, to request a perusal copy or to inquire about performance rights, please use the contact form below: