VENUE:
Irma Freeman Center for Imagination
AND
Bantha Tea Bar
​
5006 Penn Ave & 5002 Penn Ave (respectively)
Pittsburgh, PA 15224


​Velvet Determination
​~ A Young Pianist's Journey to New York
by Cynthia Shaw

Rating: PG (Brooklyn, New York)
Genre: Theatre - World Premiere



​Cynthia enjoyed her childhood of piano lessons and music-making. But as time went on she developed bigger dreams: moving to New York to attend the esteemed Manhattan School of Music. However, this goal was a bit more difficult than she expected. As she struggles with her self-sabotaging demons, shaky memorization and insufficient technique, she masters a falling piano, a sweltering practice room, a music-hating neighbor, a condescending teacher and other obstacles that confront a young Colorado classical pianist who has decided to tackle the Big Apple!

In this charming, music-filled 60 minute solo show, Cynthia creates over ten characters including her piano teachers: her kindly childhood teacher, her University of Denver teacher who opens up her eyes to the world of New York and her formidable first NY piano teacher. Throughout the show she'll play the piano music of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy and Schubert.

The show is touching, funny, honest and very musical.

And then there's that mysterious New Yorker Magazine.......

About the Performer:
​Born and raised in another steel town, Pueblo, Colorado, Cynthia moved to NY to pursue a career as a classical pianist and attend the Manhattan School of Music.  She soon moved on to musical directing and finally to acting in film and theatre.  Recent film work has been presented at Cannes Festival Corner, The Film Society of Lincoln Center, The Soho International Film Festival, to name a few.  Her episode of the web series, "Brooklyn is in Love" won two awards at the LA Webfest. And she has produced and has a lead role in a new comedic short film, “d’urn it!” Which will be making the festival circuit this year.  
​
Stage work includes NY theaters: Theatre Row, The Medicine Show Theatre, The Barrow Group, Gloria Maddox Theatre, The Wild Project, and The Secret Theater. 

As a singer she's sung back-up vocals for both Paul McCartney and Björk.  As a pianist, she's musical directed over 30 shows, including 15 years with the New York Christmas Revels at Symphony Space, Town Hall and on NPR. www.cynthiashaw.us

*PLEASE NOTE* : This event is a split venue show, meaning it takes place at BOTH the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination AND Bantha Tea Bar next door; please pay attention to your selected ticket time to see which venue you should head to.​

​DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, April 4 at 5:00 PM
Saturday, April 6 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, April 6 at 8:00 PM (at Bantha next door)
Sunday, April 7 at 3:00 PM

Show Run Time:
50 Minutes
​
​Prices: (If you buy a 2019 Pittsburgh Fringe Button you receive $3 off every show.  You can buy buttons in advance online, or at the venue when you arrive.  You must show the button for each entrance where you purchased a Fringe Button Discount.)

Websites:
www.velvetdetermination.com
http://www.cynthiashaw.us/one-woman-solo-show

Check out what others are saying!
All About Solo Review of the show: https://allaboutsolo.com/hard-work-pays-off-in-velvet-determination/ 

Mentioned in All About Solo article about women performers: https://allaboutsolo.com/believe-women-female-voices-in-solo-performance/?fbclid=IwAR0B1pKV_010iPxPImEkYJviyNs6ulS__UFUdJx2VUH1xO__NOXzE9SSzoA

The Show's Social Media Links: