Amelia and Me

A New Musical

Book and Lyrics by Stacey Luftig
Music by Phillip Palmer


AMELIA AND ME is the untold story of the surprising events preceding Amelia Earhart’s disappearance, and of the friendship between the world’s most beloved pilot and its most accomplished one.

It’s 1935, and pioneering pilot Amelia Earhart makes possibilities feel endless. Jackie Cochran, a brash, beautiful, new flyer looking to soar beyond her tragic past, seeks out Amelia’s guidance and becomes her friend. But when Jackie learns that Amelia’s celebrity and sense of obligation have compelled her to take dangerous shortcuts and big risks, including a treacherous round-the-globe flight, Jackie raced against time to intervene—becoming entangled in the tragedy she was trying to prevent.

Developed at the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, and New York SongSpace. Based on an original play by Stacey called Jinxed (O’Neill NPC Finalist, Great Plains Theatre Conference,  Dayton Playhouse FutureFest Winner and Audience Favorite).

Running time: 
approximately 2 hours plus intermission

Cast size:
 11+, 5W, 6M.

Band size: 
TBD

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Audio

News

News
AMELIA AND ME workshop production at FSU
AMELIA AND ME workshop production at FSU

Our first workshop for AMELIA AND ME happens spring of 2025 in Tallahassee, with performances on April 4th and 5th. Can’t wait to meet the students and hear this full show for the first time!

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AMELIA AND ME at Symphony Space Concert
AMELIA AND ME at Symphony Space Concert

Delighted to be part of REIGNITE, a one-night-only concert event produced by Prospect Theatre and performed at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway @95th Street). The concert will feature songs from 15 new shows that have been in development over the past 18 months—including AMELIA AND ME.

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Recording begins for AMELIA AND ME!
Recording begins for AMELIA AND ME!

Big thanks to the gifted, brilliant performers who sang on our AMELIA AND ME recordings! Pictured here is Christiana Cole breaking our hearts with her performance as Amelia Earhart. Also making our songs come alive were the wonderful Charissa Bartels, Lauren Elder, Nick Kohn, and Jon-Michael Reese--and Carly Kincannon nailing it as scrappy young pilot Jackie Cochran.

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Stacey Luftig wins BMI Jerry Harrington Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement as a Librettist
Stacey Luftig wins BMI Jerry Harrington Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement as a Librettist

I was thrilled to receive this award! I've been presenting scenes from the first draft of Saving Amelia for the last year and a half--even the title is an early draft--so receiving this award is a big vote of confidence. Thank you, BMI!

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Method writing: a flight in a bi-plane
Method writing: a flight in a bi-plane

Well, THAT was fun. Just spent a fabulous week at the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat with Phillip Palmer, working on Saving Amelia (working title). Wrote two songs, dug deeper into the story.

Another highlight: taking a ride in this bi-plane, which has been around since 1929…

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Heading to a Rhinebeck Retreat with a new musical
Heading to a Rhinebeck Retreat with a new musical

So...what do you do when you have a play that gets you super jazzed...that has had several staged readings and a few honors, but no full production...a play that you've always felt somehow ought to go deeper, but feels a little bit stuck?

You turn it into a musical.

Yes, the play formerly known as JINXED, about Jackie Cochran and Amelia Earhart, is being reimagined as a musical, with the working title SAVING AMELIA. Music by Phillip Palmer and book and lyrics written by me….

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Reading of JINXED at Abingdon Theatre, New York City
Reading of JINXED at Abingdon Theatre, New York City

Finally–a reading in New York! Don Brenner will be directing a reading of Jinxed at the Abingdon Theatre on Friday, February 22, at 7 p.m. Please come!

For details: www.abingdontheatre.org.

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Upcoming staged readings of JINXED in Palm Springs
Upcoming staged readings of JINXED in Palm Springs

Happy to announce that Jinxed will have two staged readings in Palm Springs, California, May 4 and 5. Jackie Cochran is a main character in the play; the real live Jackie Cochran lived in Palm Springs in the mid 20th century, and there may be many at the readings who knew her! Hope to see you there!

For more information, go to www.script2stage2screen.com.

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JINXED wins FutureFest at Dayton Playhouse!
JINXED wins FutureFest at Dayton Playhouse!

In a staged reading elegantly directed by Richard Brock, Jinxed was presented on a hot morning in July to a devoted audience of festival-goers, and was voted by 5 adjudicators as the best of the festival. Helen Sneed commented on the “magnificent language,” and Eleanor Speert called it a successful play that “has elements of Greek tragedy and history combined.” My sincere thanks to the work of everyone involved!

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JINXED to be part of Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
JINXED to be part of Dayton Playhouse FutureFest

Dayton, Ohio is a city that appreciates aviation...so little surprise that my play JINXED, about Jackie Cochran and Amelia Earhart, was accepted for Dayton Playhouse FutureFest. (They also have a terrific aviation museum--see photo below, of me between exhibits of my two main characters.) Come see JINXED at 10:00 July 31. The festival (6 plays) runs Friday evening, July 29, through Sunday afternoon, July 31. The place: The Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, Ohio, 937-424-8477. http://www.daytonplayhouse.com/

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Ryan Foy