Unveiled: A Musical is a stirring reimagining of the biblical story of Queen Esther, brought to the stage with a fresh, modern sensibility. Austinite Glenna Bowman wrote the lyrics and composition, while Dr. Ellie Jarrett Shattles provided additional composition and arrangements. Glenna Bowman and fellow Austinine Matthew Shead wrote the book. This original production explores enduring themes of courage, identity, and purpose. Directed by former JCC Director Mark A. Lit (and the owner of the kolache-craft beer pub meets live stage Batch), the show blends historical drama with contemporary resonance—offering audiences not just entertainment, but reflection.
Jon Renee, who plays King Xerxes in the 2025 production, summed it up succinctly: “Relevant is the word that comes to mind. It’s just shocking that a story this old is so relevant, so impactful, and so needed to this day.”
The costumes were a visual feast, transporting the audience to multi-cultural ancient Persia with rich textures and vibrant detail. Each piece added depth and authenticity to the setting. However, a few technical issues detracted from the experience. The glaring white light from the pianist’s stand, visible every time the stage lights dimmed, disrupted the mood—easily remedied had it been angled away from the audience. More notably, the sound system fell short: even from the front row, it was difficult to hear several actors clearly, despite their strong and skillful singing. A real shame, given the exceptional talent of the cast.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Unveiled makes a bold statement. The timeless themes stretch far beyond the confines of ancient Persia, reaching into the very heart of modern societies—including present-day America—where women’s rights to autonomy, health, and independence are still under threat. The show confronts ancient gender prejudices head-on, drawing a direct line between Queen Esther’s historic stand and the battles women continue to fight today.
The writers skillfully navigate this dichotomy. Esther—a triumphant symbol of Jewish courage and freedom—becomes a mirror for contemporary women who, more than two millennia later, are still pushing against systemic oppression. Her voice echoes through the ages, demanding agency, justice, and respect.
The musical’s journey began in 2004, when Glenna Bowman conceived the idea of telling Esther’s story from a fresh feminist perspective. She imagined a heroine who chose her path instead of following others’ commands. Over a decade of writing, composing, and collaborating—including a pivotal partnership with Matthew Shead in 2015—shaped the show’s artistic foundation. That same year, the first major reading took place in New York City with Broadway and regional actors.
In 2018, the show was publicly staged for the first time at ZACH Theatre in Austin. Audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive—praising the plot, characters, and lush music—and constructive critiques helped steer the next stage of development. With the addition of Dr. Ellie Jarrett Shattles in 2021 and a dramatic title change from Esther to Unveiled, the show gained new depth and a broader narrative scope.
Check out the YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=_fisBNFUW6BFlz-y&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundbeaconent.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjQsMTY0NTA2&v=S3iQG7M1suA&feature=youtu.be
Shout out to the cast: UNVEILED Cast
Nanami Asakura (Ensemble)
Susannah Crowell (Esther) – AEA
David Dech (Hathak)
DJ DelVecchio (Bigthan)
Rachel Ditzig (Ensemble)
Zach Gonzales (Harbona)
Ty Hawton (Teresh)
Annie Kim Hedrick (Ensemble)
Megan Hudson (Amira)
Sarah Manna (Zeresh)
Tommy Martinez (Hegai) – AEA
Dani Molina (Ensemble)
Bella Olsen (Ensemble)
Ana Pecina (Suri)
Ericka Pugliese (Ensemble)
Jon Reneé (Xerxes)
Christopher Saenz (Shethar/Ensemble)
Landon Schwausch (Tarshish/Ensemble)
Zane Shieh (Tarshish/Ensemble swing)
Noah Steele (Haman)
Victoria Varnado (Ensemble)
Steve Williams (Mordecai)
Taiyana Wright (Ensemble)
Sara Zare Ranjibar (Vashti/Ensemble)
Unveiled opened at the historic Austin Scottish Rite Theater on March 20, 2025, in partnership with SoundBeacon Entertainment, LLC. With high-energy direction, a passionate cast, and a message as relevant as ever, this production reminds us that the struggle for women’s empowerment is not just ancient history—it is still unfolding, right now, across the globe.
For future productions please visit: https://soundbeaconent.com/events