A MUSICAL ADVENTURE
A TALE OF THE FUTURE
Book by C. Michael Perry & L. Susan Lewis
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
(TYA) (For production by Professional Groups, College/University Groups, Community Groups, High Schools, Church Groups, Youth Theatres)
The time: Man after he has all but destroyed his civilization. The survivors live in primitive tribal societies and worship the “Gods” who, as legend has it, dwelt of old in “The Place Of The Gods;” a place called “Ne-ork.” A ‘woke’ youth sets out on his quest to become a man and finds the ruins of that forgotten and forbidden civilization. He learns and grows and begins to strike out with new hope to rebuild all that was so carelessly lost by his human predecessors.
This is NOT your Rodgers & Hammerstein show. The music reflects the dramatic action without ‘showtunes’. It underscores and points to character and plot through melody and harmony, without splashiness. (Not that splashiness is ‘undesirable’, just not right for this production.)
Inspired by the Steven Vincent Benet short story, “The Place of the Gods.”
PLAY DETAILS:
- 3M 1W +chorus and dancers
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CHORUS — (eight total) It signifies fear and ignorance. Tradition is not to be tampered with. Its purpose is much the same as that of the Greek chorus: echoing the taboos and timeworn traditions — the voice of warning. The chorus is the antagonist. The chorus should be dressed in black floor length robes for the most of the play, but, as they join in on the final number they should remove the robes to reveal varied colored robes, capes, skirts, togas, etc., signifying their acceptance of Jan and their recognition of his fore-ordination.
JAN — the boy — 17 or 18 — the protagonist. Foreordained to his task, he is right but unsure; intelligent but uneasy; brave but lacks conviction. He is enthusiastic but impatient. The characteristics of youth.
JAN, THE FATHER — in his fifties. He knows of his sons foreordination. He is extremely wise and perceptive. He has groomed his son for the task of “rebuilding.” He knows it must come slowly. He wishes that he was the one to fulfill the task, but is grateful that his son will do it.
MAI — Jan’s sister — 16 or 17. She loves her brother almost to the point of worship and he returns that love. She possesses the cold reason of the semi-primitive mind. She knows that Jan has some special task to perform and she wants to be a part of it.
MARC — about 17. An outcast of his people. Outwardly he is steeped in his tribe’s ignorance and superstitions. He is bitter towards his people but he still has a strong sense of loyalty. Inside he is loving, understanding, and he possesses a deep inner strength and a quest for truth.
THE FOREST PEOPLE — (Six dancers) They are the physical extension of the CHORUS.
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- Space setting.
- 1 hr.
- Piano accompaniment only
- Order #3018
Available for ALL producing groups.
PERUSAL MATERIALS
- The PERUSAL PAGES file is in PDF format and contains the first half of this musical: OfBabylonPERUSAL
SONG LIST
- #1 PROLOGUE — OF BABYLON Father, Jan & Chorus
- #2 TELL A BOY Father
- #3 IF I COULD Mai
- #4 PEACE, MY CHILDREN Father & Chorus
- #5 THE SEARCH Chorus, Jan & Mai
- #6 OF BABYLON (Reprise #1) Chorus, Jan & Mai
- #7 THE CHASE Chorus & Marc
- #8 THE FOREST DREAM Jan & Father
- #9 I AM Jan, Mai & Marc
- #10 VOICES Chorus, Jan, Mai & Marc
- #11 WHERE DO FEELINGS COME FROM? Marc (available in BARITONE & TENOR versions)
- #12 I AM (Reprise #1) Jan, Mai & Marc
- #13 WE TRAVEL Jan, Mai & Marc
- #14 THE RIVER Chorus, Jan, Mai & Marc
- #15 LAMENT — DISCOVERY Mai & Jan
- #16 MAN BUILDS Jan, Father, Mai, Marc, & Chorus
SONG SAMPLES (melody is played by an instrument) (demos include underscore)
PURCHASE REHEARSAL MATERIALS:
- Performance License Application: No production rights can be granted until this application is filled out and sent to us. This is a filler form that after you click “SUBMIT” will send directly to our email address. Response averages 2-3 business days.
(Any PDF purchased will be emailed to your email address — if you need to provide that to us (not the one on your PayPal account?), email us. CDs will be mailed to a snail mail address. Do not purchase rehearsal materials or pay for royalties until you have performance clearance.)
- Script in PDF format — Order #3018a : $15.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- Vocal Book in PDF format — Order #3018b : $15.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- Piano-Vocal Score in PDF format — Order #3018c : $20.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- First Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3018d : $65.00 for the first, or only performance
- Second Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3018e : $50.00 for each consecutive performance
- Professional Royalties will be quoted upon application.
PRODUCTIONS:
- Spanish Fork High School — 1995
- Premiered at Brigham Young University — 1989
BILLING CREDITS
The following is how the credits should read in all programs, posters, fliers, handbills and other promotional advertising for the show:
OF BABYLON
A Musical Adventure
A Tale of the Future
Book by
C. Michael Perry & Susan Lewis
Music and Lyrics by
C. Michael Perry
(inspired by Steven Vincent Benet’s short story, “The Place of the Gods”)
NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play. (In a press release all type, will of course, be the same size.)
ALSO:
THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
“Of Babylon is presented through special arrangement with Leicester Bay Theatricals. All authorized materials are also supplied by LBT, www.leicesterbaytheatricals.com”
From the catalog of
