Hope Levy Brings Connie Converse Back to Life at The Actors Company
Friday, June 7th, Los Angeles, CA
written by Entertainment Editor, Dan Ruth
Whether you already knew who Connie Converse was before reading this post or, if you’re like me, and had only heard of her because of Hope Levy’s production at The Hollywood Fringe, it’s time to grab a ticket for this highly entertaining, moving and ultimately fascinating show at The Actors Company, 916 N. Formosa Avenue. Hope Levy is delightfully obsessed with Ms. Converse and it’s easy to see why, as she ducks and weaves through this biographical mystery musical, full of strange parallels and mesmerizing songs, none of which I had ever heard before last night’s preview performance. The Connie Converse Universe should not be likened to a friend trying to convince you to try a flavor of ice cream that you don’t enjoy, it’s rather like introducing you to a flavor of ice cream that you’ll soon wonder how you lived so long without. So if folk music and singer-songwriter performances aren’t exactly in your wheelhouse, you’re going to want to place your trust in The Connie Converse Universe and give it a try.
Hope Levy herself came upon the music of Connie Converse by chance and was quickly drawn into her mysterious world. Converse was a little-known singer songwriter who emerged in the 1950’s, well before the likes of popular contemporaries such as Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Converse’s music baffled the music industry; they simply didn’t know what to do with her dark, unconventional lyrics and sound. As The Connie Converse Universe progresses, and Levy begins to draw similarities between herself and the unusual artist, we begin to see Converse’s raw genius, but this story has more than a few surprises, most notably, that in August of 1974, Connie Converse vanished off the face of the earth, never to be heard from again, leaving only cryptic notes for her family, asking that they never try to look for her. Plagued by a strict Christian upbringing in a temperance household, with parents who did not support her musical endeavors, Converse’s life was wrought with bouts of loneliness, alcohol and isolation. Luckily, with what the world now knows of her and her short but fascinating life, Converse is easily considered the world’s first female folk singer songwriter.
Then there’s Hope Levy’s obsession again. Did Converse leave clues as to her whereabouts within her lyrics? Quite possibly, but Levy’s research and fantasies of Converse growing old in Laurel Canyon are the stuff that make this musical outing so worth while, so don’t think for a second that this show is dark, brooding or sad, it’s honest, insightful and just damned good. Winner of the award for Outstanding Musical at the 2024 San Diego Fringe, Levy positions herself squarely at home within Converse’s haunting lyrics and as an incredibly gifted vocalist, she does not hold back, casting her own magic on numbers such as “Roving Woman, “ “Father Neptune”, “Honeybee” and “Man in the Sky,” which is easily one of my new all-time favorite songs. I for one am grateful that I saw The Connie Converse Universe at The Hollywood Fringe. After settling in back at home, I haven’t stopped listening to Converse on Spotify, and there’s more to this story in regards to Spotify, but I trust you’ll find out from Levy herself when you buy a ticket. The Connie Converse Universe is beautifully directed by Tom Lavagnino and is not to be missed.
For those in New York City, look for Hope Levy performing The Connie Converse Universe at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St, NY, NY on October 21st at 7pm.
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