Musicals
THE WOULD-BE DIVA
A musical comedy centering on the often-married Polish beauty Ganna Walska, The Would-be Diva is the story of the ambitious opera singer whose unsuccessful efforts at stardom are finally replaced by her creation of Lotusland, a spectacularly eccentric and renowned garden in Santa Barbara. The cast of 12 includes the chorus, whose members play the minor roles. The leads are Goanna Walska herself (Soprano) her maids Colette and Maureen, both played by the same actress/singer (Mezzo or Soprano). Of Walska’s 6 husbands, only 4 have solos or duets (Baritones, Tenor & Bass). Ganna Walska may speak with a Polish accent, and Colette/Maureen should be adept with a French and an Irish accent. The libretto and 14 original songs were written by Elaine Kendall; the original score by Robin Frost.
AN AMERICAN CANTATA
Based upon a history of American women by John Sanford, An American Cantata consists of 20 dramatic vignettes of celebrated and lesser-known American women; artists, scientists, writers, dancers, political figures and others. The drama begins with Pocahontas and ends with Georgia O’Keeffe. Each vignette is both both musical and dramatic; the text adapted from Sanford’s book of 142 portraits. Continuity is provided by the character of Sanford himself appearing as the narrator. The cast of 7 has two men and five women who play the acting and singing roles and form a chorus. The libretto and lyrics were written by Elaine Kendall and the original score by Dennis Poore. Published by Samuel French , An American Cantata continues to be widely produced in the US and abroad.
COLE & WILL: Together Again!
Cole Porter has a grand party for 4-6 actor/singers, and as they gather around the piano and sing Brush Up Your Shakespeare from Kiss Me Kate, the bard himself appears, carrying a folio with short scenes from other plays. Shakespeare hands out the text to the company, and Cole Porter matches 27 of his most appropriate songs to each of the scenes. Amazingly, the music precisely fits the text, read by the singers from the folio sheets. The show needs 2-3 male and 2-3 female singer/actors; plus the two actors who play Porter and Shakespeare. There is also the pianist who accompanies the cast. The festivities happen on a unit set furnished as Porter’s New York apartment with sofas, chairs, a bar cart, and stools around a grand piano. The show runs for 100 minutes with an intermission. Members of the cast wear classic evening clothes. Shakespeare is dressed in a contemporary suit with a lavish 16th century hat. Libretto by Elaine Kendall: music by Cole Porter and text by William Shakespeare. (The rights to public performances of Porter songs can obtained from the Cole Porter Trust)
ISADORA!
A musical drama built upon the life, the loves; triumphs and tragedies of the American dancer Isadora Duncan, whose innovative techniques electrified audiences here and abroad. By turns idolized and castigated, wealthy and impoverished, Isadora Duncan was a remarkably resilient personality, full of humor and vitality; a woman whose life was as theatrical as any lived in this century. Without her stunningly original contributions, modern dance would still be in its infancy. Two actresses play and sing the role of Isadora in different stages of her life. There are five male roles, with some doubling and voice-overs.
There are two acts, running time is 90-100 minutes. The set is a changeable unit. Libretto and lyrics by Elaine Kendall: score by Robin Frost.