Women for Greater Philadelphia (WFGP) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Casabuena Cultural Productions to develop and produce Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion, an original work that explores the rich cultural and historical legacy of this landmark site. The production invites audiences to meet five residents of the mansion and hear their stories firsthand, offering a unique and intimate perspective on the people who shaped its history. This collaboration brings together creative vision and community engagement to present a compelling narrative experience that highlights untold stories and diverse perspectives tied to Laurel Hill Mansion.
Few historic houses embody the conflicts and contradictions of the American Revolution like Laurel Hill Mansion, built in 1767 in East Fairmount Park by Rebecca Warner Rawle Shoemaker as a summer retreat. In this historically engaging performance, the former residents of the mansion come to life, sharing their stories from their own perspectives.
Audiences will meet:
- Rebecca Warner Rawle Shoemaker — the original mistress of Laurel Hill Mansion
- Samuel Shoemaker — Rebecca’s second husband, a Loyalist Quaker aristocrat, and former mayor of colonial Philadelphia
- Esther de Berdt Reed — British-born wife of Joseph Reed, president of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Le Chevalier Anne-César de La Luzerne — the nearly forgotten second French Ambassador to the fledgling United States
- William Rawle — Rebecca’s son from her first marriage and founder of the oldest existing law firm in America
These historic figures will entertain, educate, and engage audiences as they share their perspectives on the formative years of the United States. Suitable for all audiences, Voices of Laurel Hill Mansion is part of WFGP’s planned events celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial (250th) Anniversary. This historically engaging, educational production is made possible through the partnership between Women for Greater Philadelphia and Casabuena Cultural Productions, offering a fresh and compelling way to experience local history. Join us for a journey back in time as the past comes alive through the voices of those who lived it.
Seating is limited, so early ticket purchase is recommended. Please note that Laurel Hill Mansion is not wheelchair accessible.
In June of 2020 we produced a short film called You’re Not Always Alone for the 48hr Global Film Challenge. It was a Drama set in a locked down world that resembled ours at the time. We were very proud of our first attempt at a Drama. 
In May of 2021 we returned to producing live theater, outside at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, where we had three wonderful sold out performances of When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet by Charles George. That same spring we also filmed a short called Checkov’s Gun with three of our former youth (now adult) company members, Angel James, Jared Taylor and Sebastian Scott.
In May of 2022 we produced another outdoor show at West Laurel Hill. We remounted MmmBeth by Allison Williams, and Company Member Jared Taylor got to reprise his role as McDuff after tackling it the first time in 2014 when he was 13 years old. Two months later in July, we filmed a comedic short called Are You Happy at a local gift shop called Windfall Gallery in Chestnut Hill. 
In August we participated in the 2019 Philadelphia 48 Hour Film Project, where we wrote and produced a short film in two days! Our Musical The Best Time of the Year was co-written by former Youth Company Members (Now Company Members) Jared Taylor and Angel James. Our film WON Best Graphics (for Youth Company Member Taj Jacob’s awesome VFX work) and Best Choreography (for our Director Eric Gershenow and Cinematographer Angel James’ work), and it was Nominated for Best Editing (Angel James) and Best Original Song for the soundtrack written by Company Members Eric Gershenow and Jared Taylor!
As we approach our final production this year in December and gear up for our exciting 2020 Season, we are asking you to consider making a donation to Casabuena Cultural Productions. We are still raising funds for our next show Who’s Holiday, starring company member Kate Bianco as a grown up Cindy Lou Who. This show will run at Allens Lane Theater and The Stagecrafters Theater December 7th, 8th and 14th. We will also be submitting some of our newly premiered films to several film festivals, so any contribution you make will go toward making these endeavors possible!
