By the time she was a student at Bennington College, Elizabeth Swados was already a force, considered an exceptional talent as a writer, composer and director. In 1978 when she was in her twenties her musical Runaways, about teenage runaways began at the Public Theater, moved to Broadway and earned her four Tony nominations. 

Swados had a gift for introducing new forms to the mainstream. She wrote in a variety of musical genres including world, folk, rap and experimental music. She delved into topics not usually seen in musical theater like racism, murder and mental illness. In 2016, Swados passed away after battling esophageal cancer.

This past May, “The Liz Swados Project,” a tribute album devoted to Swados and her legacy debuted on Ghostlight Records. The album includes 20 songs from Swados work and is performed by some of the theater's most inspiring artists working today. To stream or download the album, or order the CD, visit ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/lizswadosproject.

On Tuesday, November 24 at 8pm, Ghostlight Records and Joe’s Pub will present a free virtual celebration of “The Liz Swados Project.” The event will feature several artists who appear on the album who will perform and personal insights into Swados’ work. Learn more here, https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2020/j/the-liz-swados-project---joes-pub-live

Guests Roz Lichter, is one of the executive producers on the album and was also Liz’s longtime partner. Also with us is singer, composer and musician Shaina Taub, who was a student of Swados at New York University and then a collaborator. Taub also performs on “The Liz Swados Project.” 

Produced in part by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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