The playwright, actor, composer and vocalist Grace McLean discusses the original cast recording of In the Green (Ghostlight Records, 2020), the show she wrote, as well as the music and lyrics for, the life of Hildegard von Bingen upon which it’s based, performing and more, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

In the summer of 2019, Lincoln Center Theater in New York City showcased a production they commissioned and produced, In the Green. It’s a one-act musical that told the origin story of one of Medieval history’s most powerful and creative women, Hildegard von Bingen. Joining me now is Grace McLean, the writer of In the Green’s book, as well as its music and lyrics. Ms. McLean also performed in the role of Jutta, von Bingen’s mentor. The original cast recording has been out since the fall, but just last week, Ghostlight Records released the CD, which is now available for purchase online and in stores. In the Green received great notices in the summer of 2019, and I’ll get Grace to tell us what it’s like to listen to the album and perhaps relieve some of those days when people could still gather and perform and watch theatre. I’ll also get her to describe the music in the show. It’s music that’s often very powerful, as well as evocative of the characters, the era, as well as relevant to today. The music is, as Time Out New York described, “heavenly: a dazzling combination of folk, funk and pop.” The show’s relevance to today is something I’ll get Grace to reflect upon. And I’ll ask her about her remarkable voice. It’s the stuff that critics and reviewers have been raving about for years. Whether it was in the original productions off and on-Broadway of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, or Cyrano, Alice by Heart, Brooklynite, and other productions that have wowed audiences in and around New York, as well as around the world, as she toured as an artistic ambassador for the US State Department. She is a music educator, as well as fronts the band Grace McLean and Them Apples. Visit www.gracemclean.com for more; and her Twitter handle is @thatgracemclean. We taped this interview one month ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Grace McLean; Ms. McLean, good morning.

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