Caroline Altman
Singer - Creative Artist - Coach
Moments of Truth
A New Chamber Musical
Music and Lyrics by Caroline Altman
Book by Patricia Milton
This chamber musical follows Nan, a mid-career fine arts painter. She loses her confidence after she is replaced in her long-term residency by an artist half her age. Her husband Gerald, an art broker, organizes an exhibit of her latest work . . . but her subtle impressionism is upstaged by ironic paintings of cows.
In a funk, Nan agrees to collaborate with her former art school roommate Chloe, a scandal-ridden “shock art” photographer. The two hope to rehabilitate their careers and land both a prestigious prize and an exhibit in New York. The project uses a lie detector to catch real-life models in their “moments of truth.”
As a love triangle develops under her roof, Nan begins to lose confidence in Gerald, too. Is the answer to her dilemma bringing the lie detector into her marriage?
This comedy-drama asks provocative questions about truth, lies, love, and art.
Fallen
Excerpts from Moments of Truth developmental reading, May 6, 2013 at 3Girls Theatre, San Francisco
The Prize
Optimism and Artful Angst
Moment of Truth
Procedure #1
If You Hadn't Married Her
Pink Bedroom
Audio samples from MOMENTS OF TRUTH, recorded December 2013, feature Caroline Altman, Dyan McBride, John Patrick Moore, Steve Rhyne, and Brandon Adams.
Not Without Our Women
Music by Caroline Altman
Book by Andrew Black and Patricia Milton
Lyrics by Altman/Black/Milton
Not Without Our Women is a love story set against the backdrop of an historic step forward in human rights about which few people are aware. In 1869, Wyoming was the first territory to give women suffrage (the right to vote & hold public office) — fully 50 years before all women of the US were granted the same.
How were these rights achieved? In the USA, such advances happen when people in power (usually white men) give up their privilege. How this evolution occurs — how expectations are shattered, hearts opened, and rights won (sometimes only temporarily) — is the story of Not Without Our Women.
The struggle for equal rights (and resulting triumphs and disappointment) occurs in a two-steps-forward, one-step-back cadence. This optimistic, rousing, and slightly subversive musical invites us to consider Wyoming’s pioneering step forward alongside continuing struggles for rights — including marriage equality — in the United States today.
What This Town Needs is Women
A Hat Like That
Somebody Has to Do It
Outside
Springtime Frame of Mind
Not Without Our Women
Audio samples from NOT WITHOUT OUR WOMEN feature
Sarah Kit Farrell, Bill Fahrner, Darlene Popovic, Dyan McBride, Brian Yates Sharber, John Elliott-Kirk, Brandon Adams, Nikolai Lokteff, Joy Lian, Rebecca Pingree, Caroline Altman and Rob Hatzenbeller.