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The Girl Who Sang With the Moon - artwork showing a young girl reaching toward the moon

Now In Development

The Girl Who Sang With the Moon

Book, Music & Lyrics by Christie Chilles Twillie
Directed by Brian Harlan Brooks

"Simply put, 'The Girl Who Sang With the Moon' is the love story and my love letter to African Americans. It's a story that embraces love, happiness, joy of life, family, community, preservation of black girl innocence, the embracing of cultural tradition, spirituality, friendships, loyalty, and sacrifice. All of these things culminate in a legend of how a human girl (CHINAZA) and the God of Water (OKORIE) overcame the impossibility of being together. Their story would become a legend told for all time." — Christie Chilles Twillie

This story is told beautifully through a blend of American storytelling mixed with Nigerian Igbo folklore.

2026 DCASE Grant Recipient — Chicago Theatre Week

Performances

Saturday, February 14 @ 11 am Sunday, February 15 @ 3 pm

Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington St, Chicago

All readings and artist talks are FREE and open to the public. Readings include post-show opportunities to engage with the artists and themes in their work. Supertitles/captions displayed on a video screen.

A reservation is requested but not required. Space is limited and an RSVP does not guarantee entry—please plan to arrive early. Lobby opens 1 hour prior to each event.

RSVP Now →

Our Mission

Based in the vibrant city of Chicago, Firebrand Theatre is a feminist musical theatre company that empowers Women+ and challenges the gender norms of the theatre industry through hiring practices, programming, and activism.

We have a strong commitment to intersectionality and are dedicated to uplifting the voices of Women+ from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. We vow to push our industry forward in a safe, collaborative, and creative environment.

"Without overlooking the differences of race, sexuality, religion, and class, I am proposing that our critical practice should be multicultural in a postcolonial open-space of women of the world as equal subjects." — Musa W. Dube, Hope Abundant

*When we say Women+ we mean people who are cis women, trans, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming people, and all gender identities which have been systematically oppressed throughout history in the theatre and beyond. This definition is attributed to WP Theater.

Archive

Production History

2019–2020 Season

Always Patsy Cline promotional poster featuring Harmony France and Christina Hall Harmony France and Christina Hall performing in Always Patsy Cline

Always... Patsy Cline

by Ted Swindley
Directed by Brigitte Ditmars · Music Direction by Andra Velis Simon
November 2019 – February 2020 (Extended by Popular Demand)
The Den Theatre

Featuring Artistic Director Harmony France and Christina Hall alternating in the roles of Patsy Cline and her number one fan, Louise Seger.

"The work is sincere, rich, heartfelt" — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Hottest Ticket in Town" — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

Jeff Awards

  • Nomination: Best Production – Musical (Midsize)
  • Nomination: Best Director – Musical (Brigitte Ditmars)
  • Nomination: Music Direction (Andra Velis-Simon)
  • Nomination: Best Performer in a Revue (Harmony France/Christina Hall)

2018–2019 Season

Queen of the Mist press collage featuring Barbara E. Robertson Max Cervantes and Barbara E. Robertson in Queen of the Mist
Chicago Premiere Jeff Award Winner

Queen of the Mist

Book, Music & Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa
Directed by Elizabeth Margolius · Music Direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster
May – July 2019
The Den Theatre

The astounding true story of Anna Edson Taylor, who in 1901 set out to be the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel of her own design.

"Marquee Event of the Summer" — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

Jeff Awards

  • Best Performer in a Principal Role – Musical (Barbara E. Robertson)
  • Nomination: Best Director of a Musical (Elizabeth Margolius)
  • Nomination: Best Lighting Design (Cat Wilson)
  • Nomination: Best Ensemble – Musical
Caroline, or Change press collage featuring Rashada Dawan Tyler Symone performing in Caroline, or Change
Jeff Award Winner

Caroline, or Change

In partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company
Music by Jeanine Tesori · Book & Lyrics by Tony Kushner
Directed by Lili-Anne Brown · Music Direction by Andra Velis Simon
Choreography by Brigitte Ditmars
September – November 2018 (Extended)
The Den Theatre

A Tony Award-nominated musical set in 1963 Louisiana, examining race, class, and change through the story of a Black maid and the white family she works for.

★★★★ "Gutsy" — Chicago Tribune

★★★★★ "In the hands of a superb cast and a knockout offstage band" — Time Out Chicago

"When Ms. Dawan sang you backed up in your seat" — Jesse Green, New York Times

Jeff Awards

  • Best Production – Musical (Midsize)
  • Best Director of a Musical (Lili-Anne Brown)
  • Nomination: Best Music Direction (Andra Velis Simon)
  • Nomination: Best Performer in a Principal Role – Musical (Rashada Dawan)

2017–2018 Season — Inaugural

9 to 5 The Musical cast photo Sharriese Hamilton, Anne Sheridan Smith, and Sara Reinecke in 9 to 5

9 to 5 The Musical

Music & Lyrics by Dolly Parton · Book by Patricia Resnick
Directed by Harmony France · Music Direction by Andra Velis Simon
Choreography by Kasey Alfonso
April – May 2018
The Den Theatre

Three working women fight for equality in a sexist workplace in this feminist comedy with music by Dolly Parton.

"Harmony France, the artistic director of the feisty Firebrand Theatre, is a fountain of fabulous ideas." — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Sharriese Hamilton knocks it out of the park." — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

Jeff Awards

  • Nomination: Performer in a Supporting Role – Musical (Veronica Garza)
Lizzie press collage with reviews The cast of Lizzie performing
Chicago Premiere

Lizzie

Music by Steven Cheslik-deMeyer & Alan Stevens Hewitt
Book & Lyrics by Tim Maner
Directed by Victoria Bussert · Music Direction by Andra Velis Simon
Movement Direction by Jon Martinez
November 2017 – January 2018 (Extended by Popular Demand)
The Den Theatre

A rock musical that reimagines the Lizzie Borden legend with four women fronting a female rock band. Firebrand's inaugural production and the first new Equity musical theatre company to launch in Chicago in over five years.

"A killer, no-holds-barred performance from Liz Chidester." — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Firebrand has thrown down the flaming gauntlet as a powerhouse musical theatre company." — The Fourth Walsh

Leadership

Harmony France, Founder and Artistic Director of Firebrand Theatre

Harmony France

Founder & Artistic Director

Harmony France is the founder and artistic director of Firebrand Theatre, the world's first Equity feminist musical theatre company. Under her leadership, Firebrand launched as an Equity company from day one—a feat nearly unheard of for a new theatre—and earned the Jeff Award for Best Production within its first two seasons.

As an actor, Harmony has traveled the world with the Broadway National/International tour of Sister Act. She has been nominated for three Jeff Awards for Best Actress and is the recipient of a BroadwayWorld Award for playing the title role in Violet at Bailiwick Chicago.

In 2019, she was honored by NewCity Stage as one of the "Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago" and has been featured in Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Social, and Playbill.

Harmony studied opera at Brenau University, acting at Columbia College Chicago, Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and has her Master of Arts in Women, Gender, Spirituality, and Social Justice from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Firebrand Theatre ensemble performing at a benefit concert

About

About Firebrand Theatre

Firebrand Theatre was co-founded in 2016 by Harmony France and Danni Smith. The company began with a $600 anonymous donation and a vision for change. Within three seasons, Firebrand produced five mainstage musicals, earned a Jeff Award for Best Production, and was featured by American Theatre Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Playbill, and the New York Times.

Firebrand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

5

Productions

3

Jeff Awards

2016

Founded

Connect

info@firebrandtheatre.org firebrandtheatre.org @firebrand.theatre