RIVER VALE— A powerful blend of music, storytelling, and history comes to the River Vale Public Library on Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m., as local favorite Barbara Lowin stars in Outrageous!, a 75-minute theatrical performance bringing to life one of Central Europe’s most compelling figures: Alma Mahler.
A celebrated composer and muse, and widow of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, Alma Mahler (1879–1964) was known for her bold personality, artistic sensibilities, and complex romantic life. Outrageous! explores Alma’s world in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century—a time of glittering cultural ferment and changing roles for women.
Lowin, a River Vale resident and seasoned performer, created the production in collaboration with pianist Paul Greenwood and director Gretchen Cryer. The piece blends spoken narrative and live music, offering a vivid portrayal of Alma’s voice, relationships, and contradictions.
Meet the Performers
Barbara Lowin began her performance career as a child star in her native Toronto, eventually earning a Bachelor of Music from the Juilliard School and studying in Master Classes with the legendary soprano Maria Callas. Her international résumé includes operatic and concert appearances with the Welsh National Opera and the orchestras of Düsseldorf and Duisburg, as well as televised performances with CBC TV. She has performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George W. Bush, and Queen Elizabeth II.
Lowin’s particular passion is song—whether by Beethoven or Gershwin—which led her to embrace the art of cabaret. With pianist Paul Greenwood, she has performed a dozen original cabaret shows over 30 years, including a recent appearance in Vienna. It was her deep connection to the music of Gustav Mahler, and growing interest in Alma Mahler’s complicated legacy, that inspired her to create Outrageous!.
Paul Greenwood is one of New York’s most sought-after pianists. A versatile musician and improviser, Greenwood’s classical training and background in composition allow him to move fluidly between genres—from Broadway to jazz to art song. His career includes collaborations with stage and screen legends such as Anita Gillette, Penny Fuller, and Helen Gallagher. His long-time partnership with Lowin is marked by chemistry, playfulness, and musical excellence.
The event is at River Vale Public Library, 412 Rivervale Road. Call (201) 391-2323 Admission is free, but registration is required. Visit RiverValeLibrary.org to sign up.