OFF-BRAND OPERA's world premiere production of Tim McGillicuddy’s FANNY, A FANTASY IN G, directed by George Abud
Felix Mendelssohn, genius. Fanny Mendelssohn, genius. Felix Mendelssohn, a household name. Fanny Mendelssohn, a forgotten footnote.
OFF-BRAND OPERA
Proudly Presents the World Premiere of
FANNY, A FANTASY IN G
Felix Mendelssohn, genius.
Fanny Mendelssohn, genius.
Felix Mendelssohn, a household name.
Fanny Mendelssohn, a forgotten footnote.
Written by TIM MCGILLICUDDY
Directed by GEORGE ABUD
LIMITED OFF-BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT
MARCH 26 – APRIL 19, 2026
THE GURAL THEATRE AT A.R.T./NEW YORK AND LIEDERKRANZ CLUB
OPENING NIGHT IS SUNDAY, MARCH 29, AT 7:00 P.M.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT OFFBRANDOPERA.COM/FANNY
OFF-BRAND OPERA is pleased to announce the world premiere production of Tim McGillicuddy’s FANNY, A FANTASY IN G, directed by George Abud. FANNY, A FANTASY IN G will play a four-week limited engagement March 26 - April 12, 2026 Gural Theatre at A.R.T./New York (502 W 53rd St., New York, NY), and April 15 - 19, 2026 Liederkranz Club (6 E. 87th St., New York, NY). Performances begin Thursday, March 26, and continue through Sunday, April 19. Opening Night is Sunday, March 29 (3:00 p.m.). Tickets are $48.50-$68.5O and available at offbrandopera.com/fanny.
Berlin, 1828. A young woman spirals toward the heights of musical greatness. Following her relentless dream of being the first published female composer in modern Europe, Fanny Mendelssohn must ride the razor's edge of German society, torn by social strife, between her parents' rigid expectations and her desperate need for music. "Ah but there are other parts of me want to speak these days."
As opportunistic men vulture about, eager to exploit the Mendelssohn name and wealth, Fanny sets out on a fateful journey to claim her divine gifts—and transform her life.
“She brought music trailing from the stars, and so our only proper tribute is music. Sad, triumphant, for dance or contemplation. Any music, as long as it has Soul."
The production stars Annalisa Chamberlin ((un)conditional at SoHo Playhouse) as Fanny Mendelssohn, Úna Clancy (Lady G* at Irish Rep) as Lea Mendelssohn, Rufus Collins (Gilded Age) as Abraham Mendelssohn, Ava Delaney (Soon at East Village Basement) as Becka Mendelssohn, Melody Fader as Piano Woman, Alan Kelly (The Great Gatsby) as Charles Gounod, Adam LaSalle (Spamilton) as Landstreiker, Zaq Latino (Velvet Rage* at HB Playwrights Theatre) as Felix Mendelssohn, Kelsey McClarnon (The Cineplex) as Lamond, Joseph Pyfferoen (3Penny Opera) as Heinrich Heine, Rebecca Rand (3Penny Opera) as Lucia and Daniel David Stewart (Memory of a Killer) as Wilhelm Hensel. Understudies: Jack Ducat, Berit Palma, Mark Shock.
The production features scenic design by Henry Pederson, costume design by Raul Luna, and lighting design by Sunshine de Castro. Lexi Holder is the stage manager, with Nathaniel Pick as the assistant stage manager. Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.
OFF-BRAND OPERA plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, April 19:
Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Fridays at 7 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sundays at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $48.50-$68.5O and are now available online at for the Gural here and for Liederkranz here.
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Website: https://offbrandopera.org/fanny
IG/FB: @offbrandopera
BIOGRAPHIES
GEORGE ABUD (Director) is an award-winning actor, director, and playwright. As a playwright, his new politically-charged adaptation of 3Penny Opera, which he also directed, premiered Off-Broadway this past winter, starring Katrina Lenk, Barbara Walsh, and Mary Testa; and his first play The Ruins, received its world premiere at the prestigious Guthrie Theater last fall. His first volume of poetry and aphorisms, A Day and Its Night, was released this fall on the Cogrounded Imprint. As director, he directed Vaughan Williams’ Riders to the Sea, which was the first production to open the new Brooklyn Art Haus in Williamsburg, as well as the original stage revue James Abud is Alive and Güd… at El Barrio’s Artspace. As an actor, George has created roles in the landmark Broadway musicals, The Visit starring Chita Rivera & Roger Rees, The Band’s Visit starring Katrina Lenk & Tony Shalhoub, and Lempicka directed by Rachel Chavkin. For his work, he has received a Daytime Emmy Award, a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor, two San Diego Critics Circle nominations, and a Helen Hayes Award nomination. georgeabud.com
TIM MCGILLICUDDY (Playwright) is a poet, playwright, and performer from NYC. He has eleven books of poetry and performs poetry and music live with Call Out the Muse. Herself, directed by Hamilton Clancy, was a hit at the Origin First Irish Festival, 2024. The Irish Play has been produced in New York by Ted Mann and Holly Villaire, and in Ireland by Joker Thief. The Sparrow with a Clipped Wing, an opera for children, was produced at St. John the Divine. Directing credits include Tennessee Williams' One Acts, A Lesson from Aloes, and Woyzeck. He studied voice for the stage with Robert Nef Williams and has worn every hat in the Theatre- acting, building sets and adapting fairy tales for the stage. New books about the Gothic Cathedrals and his life in construction are forthcoming.
OFF-BRAND OPERA In a world where brand definition rules, three singers found themselves longing for a space to play around with something different—something off-brand. Tradition told them that’s not how it’s done. But what if it could be?
Off-Brand Opera strives to expand and blur the boundaries of genre and performance practice. We produce cross-disciplinary collaborations in order to foster fresh, relatable, and relevant interpretations of both new and beloved works.
Off-Brand Opera is committed to:
Creating safe spaces for artists to take risks when it comes to performance practice and genre.
Performing in intimate, non-traditional venues to foster audience connection, communication, and immersion.
Hiring performers from a diverse set of race, gender, and musical backgrounds.
Providing community events that are relatable and appealing to local NYC audiences.
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Listings Information:
Who: Off Brand Opera
What: FANNY, A FANTASY IN G
Where: March 26 - April 12, 2026 Gural Theatre at A.R.T./New York (502 W 53rd St., New York, NY) April 15 - 19, 2026 Liederkranz Club (6 E. 87th St., New York, NY).
When: March 26 - April 19
How: https://offbrandopera.org/fanny
Felix Mendelssohn, genius. Fanny Mendelssohn, genius. Felix Mendelssohn, a household name. Fanny Mendelssohn, a forgotten footnote.
