Henrietta Solway

A story about finding your place in the world

Inspired by the works of Willa Cather

Created and performed by Carrie Brown, Katie Hartman, and Karim Muasher

Music Direction and Original Song by Katie Hartman

Directed by Melinda Jean Ferraraccio

Henrietta Solway is an original play inspired by the short fiction and serialized novels of Pulitzer Prize wining author, and Nebraska native, Willa Cather. It brings to life an exciting, sweet, and epic tale of ambition, sacrifice, and reconciliation in small towns, big cities, and vast landscapes.

The year is 1900, and Henrietta is a young tomboy growing up in the tiny town of Empire City, Nebraska. A chance encounter with Hildegarde Schumann, a glamorous opera singer with tales of art and culture in the big city, gives her restless passion a purpose and the direction of her life is forever changed. When Henrietta grows up, she leaves home to become a world famous artist, experiencing daring successes, bitter regrets, and heartfelt reunions as she searches for her place in the world.

Performed in Animal Engine’s signature physical style, just three actors portray over 60 different characters and play live music from the turn of the century. They create the sights and sounds of small town Nebraska, Coney Island, the Mesa, and more with just their bodies, a single set piece, and songs.

This play was developed with support from the National Willa Cather Center.