Introduce Yourself : Bernhardt On Broadway: The Musical Music, Script, Lyrics and Performance by Carol Dunitz by Carol Dunitz

Bonjour! I am Carol Dunitz, the playwright, composer, lyricist and lead of the one woman musical, "Bernhardt On Broadway." Ever since I was nine years old when my mother took me to see "Gypsy," I have dreamed of writing and producing musicals. Alas, life gets in the way. I have written music since I was a child, run an advertising agency for fifteen years, written nine books, spoken professionally in costume singing original songs etc. Three years ago I made the decision to abandon everything rational in my life and start following my dream. Sarah Bernhardt would have said, "Quand Meme" (Against all odds). A recent poster at the "Bernhardt On Broadway" facebook page wrote, "To make a radical departure in one's life to pursue a dream is rare ... to make a success of it is extraordinary." Suffice it to say, I have never worked harder or been happier! I am touring all over the country and Canada to enthusiastic audiences. I am now in a tour out west performing in Nebraska, California, Arizona, and Texas. Three weeks ago I performed the 'cabaret version' at the Metropolitan Room in NYC. Reviewer Paulanne Simmons of Times Square Chronicles reported, "Dunitz is not only a scholar, she is also a playwright, composer and lyricist. All these talents are evident in her show. Much of Madame Sarah's story is told through lively, often funny original songs by Dunitz, who is not only an excellent writer but also a consummate performer. Dunitz does a fine job bringing Sarah Bernhardt down to earth for modern audiences." I am interested in booking additional appearances to create greater awareness. Ultimately, I would like to have the show produced off-Broadway and then on Broadway itself. Here's more information about the show: “Bernhardt on Broadway” is about Sarah Bernhardt, the great French actress who 100 years ago was the most famous woman in the world. Writer, composer, and actor Carol Dunitz stars. "Bernhardt on Broadway" is a no holds barred exposé about the daughter of a courtesan who overcame countless obstacles to become the most famous woman in the world. Now, almost a century after her last appearances in the United States, audiences can once again experience the wonder of Madame Sarah in the one-woman musical, "Bernhardt on Broadway." Not long ago a woman bent down and kissed the hem of Dunitz’ dress in the lobby after a performance. Several weeks ago a man got down on one knee and proposed to her after seeing the show! This is a musical that is not only entertaining but also educational. Dunitz read close to one hundred books in French and English as well as countless articles and reviews before creating “Bernhardt on Broadway.” The show references close to sixty famous people -- because you can’t tell Bernhardt’s story without including them. From the Prince of Wales to the Father of Psychoanalysis, the Wizard of Menlo Park to a Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Bernhardt captivated several generations of theatergoers leaving fond memories and broken hearts in her wake. Bernhardt traveled from Russia to Australia, Brazil to Canada performing to sold out crowds everywhere. She was a woman with incredible determination who succeeded against all odds using her education, resourcefulness and drive to reach untold heights. Bernhardt volunteered her time for good causes including entertaining troops and selling War Bonds, raising money for Madame Curie when she had no money to build a laboratory after her husband’s death, and encouraging Emile Zola to write ‘J’accuse’ which helped to turn the tide with the Dreyfus Affair (and this is all in the show). This musical is sure to leave you with a tune dancing in your head and a lyric tugging at your heart. www.BernhardtOnBroadway.com https://www.facebook.com/MadameSarah1000 PLEASE 'Like' my facebook page to stay abreast of what is happening! ABOUT SARAH BERNHARDT One hundred years ago the great French Actress, Sarah Bernhardt, was the most famous woman in the world. One hundred years ago she starred in the first full length silent film, "Queen Elizabeth." One hundred years ago Adolph Zukor made enough money from the distribution of that film to co-found Paramount Pictures. Before mass media and modern travel, Sarah Bernhardt ingeniously master marketed her meteoric rise to superstardom. She was the WORLD’S FIRST SUPERSTAR. Before Lady GaGa and Marilyn Monroe posed nude for national magazines, and Janet Jackson 'accidentally' bared one breast at the Super Bowl halftime show, Sarah Bernhardt shamelessly posed nude for renowned 19th century photographer Felix Nadar while still in her teens. Before Britney Spears and Madonna French-kissed at MTV’s 20th annual Video Music Awards, Bernhardt spread rumors that she studied her parts in a coffin and played croquet with human skulls. Before Elizabeth Taylor was led to the altar seven times and Zsa Zsa Gabor sampled marital bliss with nine men, Madame Sarah received over 1000 proposals of marriage. Before Joan Crawford and Bette Davis endorsed Lucky Strikes, Sarah Bernhardt touted Ogden cigarettes as well as Vaseline, Pears soap, and Guerlain perfume and got paid well to do it. She was an unrivaled success in the first full length silent film, "Queen Eliabeth," before Cate Blanchett and Helen Mirren offered their interpretations of England’s great queen. Before Richard Burton and Sir Lawrence Olivier performed "Hamlet," Sarah Bernhardt played the young prince at Stratford on Avon in French. Mark Twain punctuated Sarah Bernhardt’s Avant Garde status when he identified five kinds of actresses: “bad, fair, good, great – and then there is Sarah Bernhardt.” Nicknamed ‘The Divine Sarah’ by Oscar Wilde, Bernhardt was the undisputed queen of theatre during her lifetime. It is said she almost single-handedly revolutionized the place of women in the theater. Her bravery and bold abandon have become the archetype of successful women to this day. ACCOLADES Wonderful. Amazing. Mesmerizing. Carol brings history to life with “Bernhardt on Broadway.” We learned about America through the eyes of a famous foreigner while being entertained with fascinating stories about Bernhardt’s life and exploits. --Kathy LaTour, General Manager, Duluth Woman's Club Carol Dunitz has a wonderful lyric voice that suits musical theatre to a tee. “Bernhardt on Broadway” is outstanding entertainment. --Ann Anderson, Professor Emeritus of Music, University of Minnesota We laughed, blushed and beyond that, learned about Sarah Bernhardt and her times. Everyone enjoyed the genuine humor, the authentic French accent and, of course, the DRAMA. We loved the songs. --Denise Jones, Activity Director, All Seasons of Rochester Hills, Rochester Hills, MI Through intimate monologues, brilliantly performed songs and impeccable period dress, Carol brings Bernhardt to life—and invites the audience to come along for the ride. Bravo! --Treena Flannery Ericson, Gallery Director, The Scarab Club, Detroit, MI Through conversation and song we were welcomed into the fascinating, passionate and often funny world of the Diva. Dunitz’ tour de force performance was vivacious and delightful. --Tracey Atin, Executive Producer, Korda Artistic Productions, Windsor, ON CANADA This is a delightful show and educational treat that I highly recommend. --Nancy Albery, President, Waterford MI, American Association of University Women (AAUW) The play rings with authenticity of the period Sarah lived in and is very educational. Carol delivers a stupendous performance. We really enjoyed the show! --Fran Kirchoff, Past President, GFWC Intermediate Women's Club, Madison Heights, MI An entertaining and educational theatrical experience...a remarkable production. --Paulette Medvecky, President, Wayne Business & Professional Women (BPW), Wayne, MI Carol Dunitz' performance as Sarah Bernhardt is more than performance. It's as if the Great Sarah herself has stepped into Ms. Dunitz to live again on the stage! --Lenore Howard, Artistic Director, Fly-By-Night Productions, Dubuque, IA This one-woman musical exploration leaves us with great insight into the amazing Sarah Bernhardt and the author, songwriter, singer and actor who channels her, Carol Dunitz. --Laura Johnstone, Upstage: A Journal of Turn-of-the-Century Theatre “Bernhardt on Broadway” is a magical event. I have never seen anything like it and will remember it always as a special theatrical experience. --Judith Arnold, Contract Pianist, Duluth, MN A truly enriching experience through which the audience is magically transported back in time to the 1890s. We all felt as though we had spent an evening in Sarah’s living room. --Tamara Trudelle, Executive Director, Downriver Council for the Arts, Wyandotte, MI The creative script was filled with expressions and stories that brought Bernhardt to life in an incredibly clear way. --Kristine Swisher, Artistic Director, Holland Theatre, Bellefontaine OH I felt like Madame Sarah was a close friend who was revealing secrets to me that she could not possibly share with anyone else. Carol draws the audience in and makes it hers. --Allen Nichols, Manager, Maxim’s: City of Chicago Dept of Cultural Affairs