The Dressmaker's Dummy

by Beth Fowler

The Dressmaker's Dummy, a mainstream/contemporary novel of about 88,000 words, traces an American woman's journey of self-discovery with humor, perceptiveness and no holds barred. Fearing that an aspect of her personality that she calls Smart Ass will blurt out what she's really thinking, Rose can't express herself freely and genuinely. She's stifled. Verbally constipated.

She is drawn to an enigmatic transient, Sonny, who doesn't tolerate her evasive verbal tactics and double-speak. After falling for and then losing Sonny and alienating her best friend, Rose seeks refuge in alcohol and one night stands. Her depression deepens. Bitter, alone, jobless and hung over, Rose thinks relief will come from humiliating her parents.

The story unsentimentally examines the forces that assail and aid Rose's sense of self. Spinning in an eddy of emotional distress, will she ever gain the confidence, grace and humor to speak freely and easily?

In the end, readers will cheer for Rose as she makes a life-changing discovery just in time to prevent her from harming herself further and destroying the lives of the people who are most important to her.

260 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2001

About the author

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Fowler was a teacher with a fondness for Broadway theatre when she decided to audition for Gantry in 1970. She was signed for the chorus and as understudy for the lead, but the show unfortunately closed on opening night. She had better luck with her next outing, Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Additional Broadway credits include 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Peter Pan, Baby, Teddy & Alice, the 1989 revival of Sweeney Todd, in which she portrayed Mrs. Lovett, Beauty and the Beast, in which she originated the role of Mrs. Potts, Bells Are Ringing, and The Boy from Oz where she portrayed Peter Allen's mother Marion.

Fowler has been nominated for the Tony Award twice, as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for The Boy From Oz and as Best Actress in a Musical for Sweeney Todd as Mrs. Lovett, which garnered her a Drama Desk Award nomination as well.

Fowler's film credits include Sister Act, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and Mulan, in which she sang "Honor to Us All." On television, she has appeared in Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Ed.

Since 2000, Fowler has been a resident of New Milford, New Jersey, having previously resided in Rutherford, Teaneck, Hawthorne and Glen Rock