Synopsis:
Esther is a musical adaptation of the Book of Esther that explores the relationship between power, oppression, and religion. When Queen Vashti refuses to dance before the king, he publicly imprisons her and replaces her with a new queen, the alluring but reluctant Esther. Esther, guided by her ambitious cousin, Mordecai, does not reveal to the king that she is Jewish. But when Mordecai invokes the wrath of one of the king’s officials upon all the Jews, Esther must interfere on her people’s behalf. The results of her actions turn the tables, causing the oppressed to become the oppressors.

Characters: 
ESTHER (Mezzo)
VASHTI (Soprano)
ZARESH (Soprano)
MORDECAI (Bass)
KING (Tenor)
HAMAN (Bariton)
MEMUCAN (Bariton)

History of Development: 
First reading: May 12, 2015 at New York University
Directed by Ray Zilberberg
Music directed by Xander Roving
Cast:
ESTHER: Samia Mounts
VASHTI: Mary Kate Morrisey
MORDECAI: Doug Shapiro
KING: Tamar Greene
HAMAN: Nathan Frederick Lucrezio
MEMUCAN/ENSEMBLE: Austin Ku
ZARESH/ENSEMBLE: Cicily Daniels