Queen of the Mist

Five-time Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa is the creator of Queen of the Mist, which opened on Broadway in 2011. He is also responsible for music and lyrics of the production, which received rave reviews upon its release in 2011. It went on to win the 2012 Outer Critics Award. The play is based on the true story of Anna Edson Taylor, who risked death so she could truly live.

LaChiusa is known for his popular plays such as Marie Christine, See What I Wanna Seem and Hello Again, for which he received his Tony Award nominations. LaChiusa was especially praised for bringing in numerous turn of the century themes in his music for Queen of the Mist. Trudi Camilleri’s role as Anna Edson Taylor has also been critically acclaimed. Her portrayal of the enterprising Taylor who is extremely resourceful and is hell-bent on making money makes you want to strongly root for the character.

The Story

Set in 1908, the musical follows the life of Anna Edson Taylor, a 63-year-old teacher residing in the western part of New York State. She tries numerous schemes and methods to make a comfortable living for herself but fails at every one of them. She is in dire need of money and decides to become the first person who goes over the Niagara Falls in a barrel. To achieve this, she specially designs the barrel inside which she will be seated. She enlists the help of a roguish manager, Frank Russell, in her endeavour. The critical aspect of this undertaking was not just going over the Niagara in one piece, but surviving the fall at the age of 63.

The media, with its inclination to sensationalise the news, dubs her the “Queen of the Mist’. Taylor is convinced that this is her last chance at greatness, and is determined to face her fears head-on. She navigates both through water and the fickle public opinion, with the hope of emerging unscathed. Will Taylor be successful in this treacherous, yet electrifying effort? Will it make her rich and famous if she survives the attempt? Watch the show and find out.

Good For

Fans of Thrillers | Lovers of True Story Dramas