Staging aviation: “Amelia’s Journey” taking encore lift-off
The audacious journey of Amelia Earhart is etched in history books across the globe? and her perplexing disappearance still boggles the mind of researchers everywhere. Although her name is now synonymous with aviation today, Earhart was somewhat catapulted into the lime life in her time. The original musical ?Amelia?s Journey? follows Earhart?s spellbinding journey from unknown individual to unforgettable legend.
Approximately 10 years ago, Annapolis, Maryland attorney/composer-lyricist Doug Schenker crafted the musical out of his fascination with the Atchison, Kansas native?s story. He recruited the assistance of playwright Linda Page and together they brought the story of Earhart?s ascension into fame to life. This will be the third run for ?Amelia?s Journey,? which sold-out houses for its entire run when it premiered one year ago.
The musical traces the relationship of Earhart and publisher-promoter George Palmer Putnam, the man who masterminded her publicity tour and eventually married the famed aviatrix, during the years of 1928 until 1937. In Schenker?s words, ?It follows the relationship between reluctant celebrity Earhart and Putnam, who exploited his media contacts and used multiple commercial sponsors to create a superstar who wrestled with the demons of celebrity.?
The show stars Mary Spencer as Earhart and Scott Tanski as Putnam. Both actors are reprising the roles from previous productions of ?Amelia?s Journey? and are excited to be back playing their respective parts.
?Amelia?s Journey: The Creation of a Reluctant Celebrity? will run at the Chesapeake Arts Center?s Studio Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland until July 31. For more information, please visit www.ameliasjourney.com.