Honouring Women’s History Through Musical Theatre
In the world of musical theatre, where women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, When Two of Us Meet stands out as a project created, led, and supported by women. We are incredibly proud to bring this new musical to life—written and composed by Emily Simonian, orchestrated by Alena Kutumian, and directed by Rebecka Webb. As a creative team of Armenian-American women, we are honored to have the support of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) and the Strobia Foundation, which made it possible for our musical to receive a concert reading in New York City on March 22, 2025.
When Two of Us Meet–A Story of Strength and Survival
When Two of Us Meet follows an Armenian family’s journey from their homeland to America in the early 20th century, with a particular focus on the women who carried their families forward through hardship, migration, and cultural transformation. This story is deeply personal to us, as we each share Armenian heritage and a passion for celebrating the voices of Armenian women.
When Two of Us Meet is an original musical that follows an Armenian family’s journey to America in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, the story centers on Filor, a young woman separated from her family who must forge her own path to survival. Her odyssey takes her from Armenia to Cuba and, ultimately, to America as she navigates love, loss, and the hope of reunion. Blending historical events with intimate personal stories, the musical explores themes of resilience, identity, and the enduring power of family.
The show was researched using survivor testimonies, historical documents, and second-hand accounts from the writer’s own family. By weaving together both real and imagined narratives, When Two of Us Meet brings to life a little-known chapter of history while telling a universal story of perseverance and love.
AIWA’s decision to fund the concert reading of our musical underscores its mission to uplift Armenian women’s stories, both past and present. In addition, the Strobia Foundation—a female-led non-profit dedicated to celebrating female creatives—is providing further support for this vital project. We are grateful to be part of this movement and to contribute to a larger conversation about women’s resilience and strength.
Women Supporting Women: A Network of Empowerment
The concert reading was an extraordinary gathering of women from diverse backgrounds, coming together to champion the musical’s creation and message. Additionally, Armenian Ambassador to the United States, Lilit Makunts was in attendance as the Guest of Honor, and opened the show with a welcome message, which lent an even greater significance to the evening and reinforcing the global importance of uplifting women’s voices. Diplomatic leaders from the Armenian Embassy were also in attendance to show their support of this musical.
The debut concert reading was a resounding success and the musical is already booked for a second concert in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in late Spring 2025.
Our sponsoring organization, AIWA, presented a panel at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in the same week, reinforcing the international impact of these conversations. We are humbled and grateful to be part of such a powerful network of women supporting each other’s work.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to develop When Two of Us Meet, we remain deeply appreciative of the women who have come together to bring this story to life. The concert reading was not only a celebration of Armenian history but also a testament to the power of women lifting each other up in the arts.
Through this collaboration, we hope to inspire audiences, advocate for representation in theatre, and honor the legacy of Armenian women who have shaped history. We are immensely grateful to AIWA, the Strobia Foundation, and all the remarkable women who are ensuring this story is heard.
The creative team behind When Two of Us Meet — Emily Simonian, Alena Kutumian, and Rebecka Webb — are Armenian-American artists dedicated to storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices. Their work reflects a deep passion for history, cultural identity, and the power of women’s narratives in the arts. To learn more about this project, please visit: www.whentwoofusmeetmusical.com and follow the show’s journey on social media @whentwoofusmeet.
