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Written and created by Kacie Devaney
Co-Author Karen Devaney
In 1917, American sisters ELIZABETH and CELIA embark on a journey that will change their lives forever. Elizabeth is one of the first registered nurses to go overseas with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, (ANC) and offer her services in France when the United States finally enters World War I. Always having the dream of being a doctor but not permitted by society, Elizabeth takes this opportunity to practice medicine. Celia, a wildly talented dancer, and singer has ambitions to be on Broadway with the legendary Ziegfeld Follies. With the unexpected death of their father, a celebrated doctor in New York City, Celia’s plans are cut short when Elizabeth makes a promise to him to take care of her younger sister. Elizabeth convinces Celia to join her as a volunteer (VAD) in France. When the sisters arrive at Base Hospital 321 in Northern, France, nothing could have prepared them for the gruesome realities of trench warfare. Together, with fellow nurses, they struggle to save thousands of wounded Soldiers passing through Base, and Elizabeth quickly moves up the ranks to Head Nurse. At Base Hospital, we meet our core nurses, DOTTIE, GRACE, LAUREN, and SOPHIE, each with their own unique personalities. We also meet, LÉANDRE, a French Medic whose been serving in The Great War since it started. At first glimpse, Léandre is arrogant, and bitter about America’s late arrival in the war, and has little faith in women’s ability to practice medicine. He constantly questions Elizabeth’s ability as Head Nurse. When the two are sent to work together at a Casualty Clearing Station, (CCS) directly behind the Front Lines, we learn Léandre has a secret, and his hard exterior begins to crumble. Eventually, a passionate love affair between the two unfolds. Meanwhile, Celia yearns to return to New York City and blames her sister for making her rot among the injured and dead. Surprisingly, amidst her remorse, she proves to be a caring Voluntary Aide, (VAD) to the nurses and finds solace in singing to the Soldiers. When she discovers BEN, an African American Harlem Hell Fighter nearly frozen to death in the Supply Tent after an ambush, she rushes for help. Head Doctor at Base 321, DR. CALVIN is furious with Celia, “get him to the Contagious Ward immediately, he’s a Negro!” Horrified at Dr. Calvin, and seeing Ben has very little time, Celia finds her sister, and together, with the help of Léandre, they hide Ben and save his life. As Ben recovers, he and Celia find they have more in common than meets the eye and become entangled in a forbidden love they are forced to hide. When the war ends and the sisters return to Manhattan, to the start of the Roaring 20’s, nursing jobs are obsolete. The tables turn, and Celia forces Elizabeth to headline a sexy act with her at a speakeasy in Manhattan, The Jewel. Left with little choice, suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress, (PTSD) and determined to help her sister get on Broadway, we see our heroines confront an entirely new set of problems, ambitions, desires, losses, and triumphs. The Great Forgotten captures the human connection to love and loss, and at its core, is a story about the unbreakable bond between two sisters.
Sold-out run, NYC Fringe Festival, 2015.
Sold-out NYC industry reading, 2017.
TV series slated for production this year, 2022.
“A compelling story.” Multiple Emmy Award Winner, Louise Gikow. 2015.
"The Great Forgotten was amazing. It's a wrenching and meaningful play.” Nora’s Playhouse supporter, 2018.
“The Great Forgotten is historic fiction at its best.” Broadway and Hollywood film actor, Stephen Singer, 2018.
The Great Forgotten was featured in, The Nora’s Playhouse Salon Reading, 2018, see here.
Follow The Great Forgotten FB page here
Written, composed, choreographed by, Kacie Devaney
Brooke is a burnt out lawyer from New York City. Antoine is a crude trader from Paris. When the two meet at an alluring café by chance, they are compelled to confront buried secrets from their past. Through a kaleidoscope of shifting scenes told through tantalizing movements, conversations, and original folk songs, Brooke and Antoine stumble across an abstract landscape as they confront their idea of change.
Produced by, The Down Town Urban Theatre Festival at the prestigious HERE arts center, 2015.
Written, composed, choreographed by, Kacie Devaney
Kaitlin and Jeb are in love, but they’re too afraid to admit it. Their quirky friend Trevor loves them both in a kooky kind of way. A play within a play, the three friends rehearse a piece imbued with existential questions related to love and nothing, being and religion.
A wacky, dramedy, including original song and dance, Love and Nothing will make you question your own life, and why you're here.
Nominated for (Best Production) and (Best Choreography) as part of, The Mid-Town International Theatre Festival. New York City, 2017.
Read the review here.
Written and choreographed by, Kacie Devaney.
Scarlett and Jeb are falling out of love. Their fifteen-year marriage has gone from passion to insults and bitter resentment. An unexpected visit from the love-sick couple Clive and Isabella is about to change everything, or is it?
A short produced by, The Strawberry One-Act Festival. New York City, 2016.
A short writtten by, Kacie Devaney
Choreographed by, JoLea Maffei
What does it feel like to lose the person you love? Shamus and Beth ponder their losses alone at a bar. When Beth strikes up a conversation with Shamus, nothing is what it seems or how she imagined. A walk through the surreal and real; Tell me or Don’t merges contemporary dance and compelling dialogue to paint a bewitching story that is just as much visual splendor as it is visceral.
Performed at The Tada Theatre, NYC, 2017
Long-time New Yorker Geraldine needs a change. Her husband Tony doesn’t share her sentiment. Heartfelt and humorous, Meet me in Paris examines the human need for new adventures, even as we age.
New Short, 2018. Slated for future productions.