Experience the Exceptional!
December 17, 2026 at 7 pm — Sarasota Opera House
Seven extraordinary women. Seven stories of courage, resilience, and resistance—and a triumphant finale. Through powerful storytelling, contemporary dance, original music by award-winning composer, Warren “Slim” Williams, and stunning visual projections, Women of Resistance brings to life the remarkable stories of Nancy Wake, Josephine Baker, Virginia Hall, Hedy Lamarr, Noor Inayat Khan, Andrée Peel, and Lee Miller.
It's an all new performance featuring the internationally acclaimed singer Rosemary Phillips narrating the story of Josephine Baker. Rosemary has dedicated her life to preserving Josephine Baker’s legacy as the founder of Josephine’s Universal Village, even purchasing and meticulously restoring Josephine’s historic French estate—including her park, theater, farm, manor, and restaurant.
Come discover their stories. Be inspired by their courage.
One night only!
Rosemary Phillips embodies Josephine's fierce spirit and vision, making a live, in-person appearance at the December 17 performance.
Tampa Performance
Thank you to our guests, donors, sponsors, and volunteers.
We were thrilled to share the stories of WWII Heroines brought to life on stage through art, dance, and music. We are all inspired and empowered by the true histories of seven heroic women who helped the Allies defeat Fascism during WWII.
J. Paul Nicholas
Performance Review From
J. Paul Nicholas, Actor, Director, Teacher
Vicki Chelf's Women of Resistance is by far the most unique experience one can have in a theater.
That is because it is unlike anything conventional theater patrons have ever seen. It breaks the boundaries of typical dance recitals, typical musical concerts, and typical stage plays, and then blends the three art forms to create a genre of live theater all its own. And yet, you get the sense that you are in an art gallery staring at all the life inside of one of Vicki's paintings. And it is the right format in which to present this story.
You can viscerally feel all the emotions of the women whose stories are being told. You understand their burden, their risk, their determination. This is what live performance art is all about.
Interlude Between Acts
Interlude music by Warren Slim Williams and Vicki Chelf.
Singers: Diana Vytell and Warren Slim Williams.
Sleepwalkers and extras: James Jordan, Elyse Hartter,
John Hartter, Ruth Weiseberg, Kimberly Bosso,
Cindy Lenti, and John Lambie.
Voiceover Artists
Andree Peel: France Castel
Virginia Hall: Lilian Moore
Nancy Wake: Seva Anthony
Hedy Lamarr: Jane Strauss
Josephine Baker: Brentney Boyd Stevens
Noor Inyat Khan: Megha Vaid
Lee Miller: Vicki Chelf
PROPS: Ripp and Kim Pitts, John Lambie, James Jordan
COSTUMES: Andree, Karly Murdock
LIGHTING DESIGN: Flip Flop Productions
PROJECTION MAPPING: Enlightened Monkey Arts
Thank You Sponsors & Donors
Elizabeth Moore
Victoria Arendt
Ann & Fred Bohlander
Brenda Boone
Christopher Downie
Rene Gilmore
Marie Therese Lacroix
John Lambie
Suzanne Lucas
Philippe Roth
Gregg Schneider
Jai Sundaramdaman
Deborah Bostock-Kelley, The WriteOne Creative Services
The Mellon Foundation
Performance Gallery
Support the Women of Resistance
Purchase Art
Support Women of Resistance and add meaningful, original art to your space.
For signed prints of Vicki’s Women of Resistance contact Paul Sykes at Art Avenue: 440-227-4592
20” x 26" print: framed $500; unframed $400
12" x 16" print: framed $250; unframed $200
Plus shipping, or pick up at Art Avenue Gallery
941-928-3426 | Contact Us
WOMEN OF RESISTANCE IS A 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION. FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.