Free Summer Concert!
We are thrilled to be bringing the songs of “Einstein’s Begonia” to Princeton, New Jersey on Sunday, September 7th at 3pm!
This is a free performance at the Princeton Public Library, but you must register to receive tickets.
This event is co-presented by the Princeton Public Library and Friends of Herrontown Woods and will feature three singers, including the show’s songwriter Rebecca Pronsky, narration by the show’s bookwriter Alexis Roblan, and a wonderful band of talented musicians.
There really couldn’t be a better location to perform this music, because Princeton, NJ is where “Einstein’s Begonia” takes place! Einstein lived in Princeton at the end of his life, and the show opens in his house on Mercer Street just after his death. The show makes many references to both the town and the University, and pokes fun at the Ivy League and New Jersey.
See you there!
Upcoming Performances
We’re thrilled to announce two performances of the songs of “Einstein’s Begonia”: September 6th and 7th, 2025!
Vocalists Juliet Strong and Mirabelle Struck will join Rebecca Pronsky (music and lyrics) for this weekend of songs with a wonderful band of talented musicians, including Deidre Rodman Struck, Tina Lama, Bronson Bush, and Konrad Meissner.
As collaborators Alexis Roblan and Rebecca Pronsky continue to craft and develop the show, don’t miss this chance to hear the songs that move the emotional arc of the piece!
Performances are:
Saturday, September 6 at 8pm in Greenpoint, Brooklyn at Studio G Sessions (attendance is very limited; request an invitation)
Sunday, September 7 at 3pm in Princeton, NJ at Princeton Library (registration opens August 8 via the library’s website).
Single #6 Out Today
Out today! Single number 6: “Only A Plant." This is the last single we’re releasing! Find it on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen.
Q: What’s this song about?
A: We’re still working out where in the show this one goes, whether it’s an opener or a middle point for reflection. Either way, it’s a lighthearted lament on not getting everything you want.
Listen to all the singles!
This song features Deidre Rodman Struck (piano), Bronson Bush (guitar), Tina Lama (bass), and Konrad Meissner (drums). All singles were recorded and mixed by Rich Bennett at Studio G in Brooklyn, and mastered by Justin Colletti.
Each single has its own individual album art created by illustrator Megan Piontkowski.
Single #5 out today!
Out today! Single number 5: “Hybrid." Find it on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen.
Q: What’s this song about?
A: “Hybrid” is the finale of the show! In it, Beggy — the begonia — who has searched for her true origins throughout the story, realizes she isn’t wild or far from home. In fact, she learns she is a hybrid plant and was created by a person. She is home right where she is. Hybrids are strong, resilient, and most of all… intentional.
Single #1: “Am I You?” came out February 1st.
Single #2: “Sessile Vessel” came out March 1st.
Single #3: “The Constant” came out April 1.
Single #4: “Relativity” is came out May 1.
Single #5: “Hybrid” is out today.
Single #6: COMES OUT JULY 1st.
Listen to everything so far.
This song features Deidre Rodman Struck (piano), Bronson Bush (guitar), Tina Lama (bass), and Konrad Meissner (drums). All singles were recorded and mixed by Rich Bennett at Studio G in Brooklyn, and mastered by Justin Colletti.
Each single has its own individual album art created by illustrator Megan Piontkowski.
Article in PAW Princeton
Thanks to writer Wayne Coffey for interviewing Rebecca for this wonderful piece in the new issue of Princeton Alumni Weekly. The article compiles the whole history of the actual Einstein begonia, including the people who have kept it going for 70 years. So nice to see the plant (and the show) getting some love. And guess what?! We’re performing the show in Princeton, NJ this summer!! More soon.
Single #4 out today!
Out today! Single number 4: “Relativity." Find it on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen.
Q: What’s this song about?
A: The show begins. Einstein is dead. Beggy - the begonia - is alone. Her entire life has been spent in relation to this one person, Einstein: her caretaker, her center. She wonders how she will manage without him. This issue of codependence/relatedness, it also begs the question: who is she and where does she really come from? Are there others like her?
Single #1: “Am I You?” came out February 1st.
Single #2: “Sessile Vessel” came out March 1st.
Single #3: “The Constant” came out April 1.
Single #4: “Relativity” is out TODAY
Listen to everything so far.
All singles were recorded and mixed by Rich Bennett at Studio G in Brooklyn, and mastered by Justin Colletti.
Each single has its own individual album art created by illustrator Megan Piontkowski.
Single #3 out today!
Single #3: “The Constant” is out TODAY. Find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen — under artist Rebecca Pronsky.
”The Constant” has a 70s Carly Simon ballad feel. It is sung is by the character of Helen, who is based on Helen Dukas, Einstein’s long-time personal secretary and one of the people who was closest to him.
In this song, Helen expresses that she doesn’t know how to move forward without Einstein who was her “constant.” This is a reference to the Cosmological Constant, which Einstein invented and then later removed from his Theory of Relativity.
Single #1: “Am I You?” came out February 1st.
Single #2: “Sessile Vessel” came out March 1st.
Single #3: “The Constant” is out TODAY
Three more singles will be released each 1st of the month through July.
This song features Deidre Rodman Struck (piano), Bronson Bush (guitar), Tina Lama (bass), and Konrad Meissner (drums).
All singles were recorded and mixed by Rich Bennett at Studio G in Brooklyn, and mastered by Justin Colletti.
Each single has its own individual album art created by illustrator Megan Piontkowski.
Second single out today!
Single #2: “Sessile Vessel” is out TODAY. We hope you enjoy it! Find “Sessile Vessel” on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen — under artist Rebecca Pronsky.
What is “Sessile Vessel” about?
“Sessile Vessel” is a big bluesy number. In it, Beggy - the begonia - gets sassy! 🔥 She tells us that even though she is sessile (adjective: fixed in one place; immobile), it doesn’t mean she can’t get what she wants!
“Sessile Vessel” features special guest trumpet player Jackie Coleman performing a sweet horn arrangement, plus, of course, the band: Deidre Rodman Struck, Konrad Meissner, Tina Lama, and Bronson Bush.
All songs were recorded and mixed by Rich Bennett at Studio G in Brooklyn, and mastered by Justin Colletti. Each single has its own individual album art created by illustrator Megan Piontkowski.
First single out today!
“Am I You?”, the first single from Einstein’s Begonia, is out now! Find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen - under artist Rebecca Pronsky.
What is “Am I You?” about?
At this point in the show, Beggy - the begonia - travels to Brazil in search of native begonias who she thinks may be her real family. When she meets them, she sings this song in the hopes she has found her “roots.”
Next single is out March 1!
Thanks to the band: Deidre Rodman Struck, Konrad Meissner, Tina Lama, and Bronson Bush. All songs were recorded and mixed by Rich Bennett at Studio G in Brooklyn, and mastered by Justin Colletti.
The beautiful cover art for the first single is by illustrator Megan Piontkowski, who is creating individual custom artwork for each single. Stay tuned to see them all!
O’Neill SemiFinalist
Wow!
We are so happy to share that EB is a semifinalist in the 2025 O’Neill National Musical Theater Conference!! O’Neill is one of the big ones, so it means a lot. What an honor!
Single Releases!
We are excited to announce that a selected group of songs from EB will be released as digital singles beginning in February! They were recorded in the fall at Studio G in Brooklyn.
Rebecca Pronsky, the show’s composer and lyricist, will put out six tunes under her name, one per month. It’s Rebecca’s first release in five years!
The first single will drop February 1, then the next March 1, and so on through July.
Illustrator Megan Piontkowski is creating individual custom artwork for each single. Stay tuned to see them all!
Recording
Tracking for EB this week was easy and beautiful. It’s what happens when you work with pros. The songs got the royal treatment (as they deserve) with flawless players Deidre Rodman Struck, Tina Lama, Bronson Bush, Konrad Meissner and recording engineer/Rebecca’s husband Rich Bennett at Studio G in Brooklyn. No complaints at all.
First reading
Thank you to everyone who joined us for EB’s first reading at The Tank August 24 and 25th! It was a beautiful week working with such a passionate cast and crew and we learned so much. Here are some photos:
Here’s who was involved:
Director: Dara Malina
Cast:
Rebecca Pronsky (Beggy/Rebecca)
Breezy Leigh (Syd/others)
Gina Manziello (Helen)
Jonathan Randell Silver (Pitcher Plant)
Kylani Rivera (Stage directions)
Musical Director: Deidre Rodman Struck
Band:
Bronson Bush (Guitar)
Tina Lama (Bass)
Konrad Meissner (Drums)
Deidre Rodman Struck (Piano)
Stage Manager: Cat Gillespie
Artwork by Christina Batipps