ESTHER The Queen
musical
ESTHER The Queen is a 2 act climactic musical written in the style of a Broadway Opera.
Think Les Mis. Think Disney and Phantom of the Opera. Think Tim Rice and Elton John’s Aida.
Think ESTHER The Queen.
– Have you wanted to be singing the songs before getting up out of your chair at intermission?
– Do you want to be moved and inspired by an incredible story?
– Have you wondered how an orphaned refugee born into obscurity became the Queen of the Persian Empire?
This is the story of ESTHER The Queen and the King who chose to honor her.
What people have said
“Thank you so much for sending me all of these, Michael. I’ve been listening to all of them this morning here in New York City. Excellent work. Not only the writing, but the recordings sound terrific. Great instrumental and vocals, too. I look forward to hearing more about it!”
Michael Lavine (New York)
“passionate ballads”
“emotional heart”
“The proof of the pudding is do I want to hear more of it? Yes I do!”
John Sparks (Los Angeles)
“Hey Michael. Thanks for sharing!! The orchestrations are stunning. I look forward to seeing it on Broadway some day soon!”
Dr Shane Branson – Founder Junior Theatre Festival, Australia
Concert version audience members’ comments:
“Songs of Esther was fantastic.”
“It was amazing.”
“I cried, laughed and sang along.”
“Anyone thinking of going … go! It was brilliant.”
“Sensational Songs of Esther”.
“Songs of Esther resonate with your heart, so much so, you’re sure you’ve heard them before, only you haven’t!”
“…a very impressive piece of work.”
Australian and other international musical theatre people
“Just had the chance to watch this, and love it. Great work!”
“This is just stunning @Michael Riggs!”
“You music is gorgeous.”
“I’m getting really excited about your work here.”
“I’m enthused about your project.”
“Wow, that’s breathless!”
“You’re music is gorgeous. I really love it.”
“Wow! That is magical. That is magical. When a composer can tell the story like this and engage a listener you know it’s good…That was what I felt with you (Strangers). It was magical!”
“Thanks for sharing the show reel of Esther the Queen. It is a very impressive work, a modern-day opera of an ancient story.”
“I just listened to it. Glorious music.”
“Bravo!”
YouTube links
ESTHER The Queen ‘Missing You’ PROMO 2024
Orphan Girl PROMO 2024
Feast for a King ENDING – ORCHESTRA ONLY
Strangers PROMO 2024
Man Of This Town PROMO 2024
Did You Love Me?
ESTHER The Queen 5 minute SHOWREEL
Haman’s Lot
Written In The Stars
Prayer
PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT HISTORY
2003
2 songs written for a Sunday School presentation of ‘ESTHER’ at the Vogue Theatre in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
2014-2015
First full draft of ESTHER The Queen written.
2016-2018
Numerous conversations with MT Director David Gauci resulted in an expanded work. 2 reading workshops held at the Star Theatre, Adelaide.
2017
ESTHER The Queen Submitted to The Grassroots Initiative (Australia) readings making it to the final 12 submissions. Presented 2 songs at ‘First Look’ presented by the Hayes Theatre, Sydney.
2018
Presented a one-hour concert of a selection of songs from the work titled ‘Songs of Esther’ at the Star Theatre, Adelaide. Lead-sheets written into Sibelius thanks to Peter Young.
2019
Reading and Advice session with Alex Loveless, Course Leader and Lecturer of Performing Arts at London College of Music, University of West London. Reading and Advice session with Composer John Sparks in LA. One-hour concert ‘Songs of Esther’ at the Vogue Theatre, Adelaide (Australia).
2020
Dramaturgical sessions with Cate Cammarata from CreateTheater (New York). 6 songs were recorded at the Ghost Light Bunker forming the first ESTHER The Queen Showreel.
2021
Most of ESTHER The Queen filmed at the Ghost Light Bunker to create evidence as a ‘proof of concept’.
2022
ESTHER The Queen reviewed and re-tweaked regularly with new songs and material added.
2023
Songs from ESTHER The Queen were performed ‘CreateTheater New Musicals For A New Year’ Cabaret, sharing the evening with other composers, in New York in December 2023 at the Midnight Theatre with Cate as producer.
2024
Conversations with Cate and CreateTheater continue to this day editing and streamlining the libretto. ‘Orphan Girl’ was presented at the Create Theater SMASH IT! workshop to a panel of Broadway Producers and an Artistic Director in early March.
CREATIVE TEAM
BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS
MICHAEL RIGGS – Australia
Michael has lived, breathed, performed and created within the Arts for most of his life describing himself as a composer, creative, and choreographer.
Michael learnt the piano as a child before transferring to the flute and piccolo and has always remembered creating tunes.
A graduate of the Australian Ballet School he went on to dance with the Croatian National Theatre of Zagreb, English National Ballet, and Lewis London Ballet.
He is also the Artistic Director of the Australian Classical Youth Ballet and choreographs, writes live narration for, and produces all of ACYB’s many works which have been performed at the Adelaide Festival Centre, within the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant through the streets of Adelaide, the Adelaide Oval, Disneyland Paris, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, and Disney Springs, Florida, as part of the Australian Youth Performing Arts Team tours.
Alongside the wealth of performing experience he has created 2 full length musicals, MESSIAH The Rock Musical and ESTHER The Queen as well as a composer of stand-alone songs.
Michael has been the choreographer and advisor with many productions with Michael Mills, creative director from Heaps Good Productions, with performances in cultural institutions such as the Museum of South Australia, South Australian Maritime Museum, and the National Railway Museum.
He is a high school teacher having taught dance, drama, music, and special education holding a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) and a Bachelor of Education.
DRAMATURGY
CATE CAMMARATA – New York
Cate has provided dramaturgical advice through her company in New York that especially encourages and supports the writing and development of new works – Create Theater.
Cate is Producer of ‘CreateTheater’s New Musicals for a New Year Cabaret’ and Dramaturg to add being a wonderful person to work with.
Cate has a wealth of knowledge within the Musical Theatre world. You can find out more about Cate and CreateTheater, together with the Experts Theater Company, through the link below.
https://createtheater.com/
Michael Riggs – Creative, Choreographer & Composer
English