"Beyond the Frame" is an original one-woman musical written by Kristen Lee Sergeant, exploring the muses and models of painter Édouard Manet through song and story. The show explores what it means to be seen and to see, by being on both sides of the frame.
With orchestrations by multi-Grammy Award winner Ted Nash, the work will be recorded in full (with spoken word and underscore) and also as radio ready, standalone tracks. Only through recording do songs live on as paintings do. We hope you'll help us bring these moving portraits in sound to life for a larger audience.
"Beyond the Frame" features twelve original songs and interstitial anecdote and story, lushy underscored by piano, and songs orchestrated for six piece ensemble. After years of readings, the invitation-only premiere of the arranged music will be presented by the York Theatre Company's Developmental Reading Series on September 24th, 2026 with the following band:
Ted Nash, reeds, orchestrations and co-arranger Jeb Patton, piano & co-arranger Jody Redhage Ferber, cello Jenny Scheinman, violin Allan Mednard, drums Mary Ann McSweeney, bass
Previous readings have won the praise of industry notables:
""It was a beautiful piece, elegantly done. I was glad to be there, and left richer than when I arrived." --John Patrick Shanley
"I was moved, educated, and admire Kristen's talents." --Amy Irving
Photo Credit: Jd Urban
Kristen Lee Sergeant is releasing her fifth studio album, "Intoxication" in March of '27 (Sunnyside Records). Her previous albums have won the praise of theatrical and jazz press, who have written:
"Kristen Lee Sergeant has every tool, every skill, every intention of causing inside of her listeners every emotion a person can feel." -- BroadwayWorld
"Sophisticated songs worthy of a stage musical and all built around the idea of letting go and taking chances. The music often changes rhythms and tempos within each song, keeping pace with Sergeant's dramatic performances."
-- All About Jazz
More on Kristen can be found at www.kristenleesergeant.com
more information on the show can be found at:
www.beyondtheframeproject.com or on instagram at @beyondtheframeshow
Édouard Manet, Mademoiselle V. in the Costume of an Espada, 1862
Rewards
Supporter
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
your name in our album liner notes, and a digital download of the album.
Patron
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $150.00 is tax-deductible.
Your name in our liner notes, a digital download of the album and copy of the physical album, and an early private listening reception of the recording.
Founding Patron
Donate $2,500.00 or more
Amount over $150.00 is tax-deductible.
your name in our liner notes, a digital download and physical signed copy of the release, early listening reception of the recording, and an invitation to a studio session.
Executive Producer
Donate $5,000.00 or more
Amount over $250.00 is tax-deductible.
Executive Producer credit on the album, a private listening reception of the album upon completion, five signed copies of the release.
