Brooklyn (musical)
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| Brooklyn | |
| Music | Mark Schoenfeld Barri McPherson |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | Mark Schoenfeld Barri McPherson |
| Book | Mark Schoenfeld Barri McPherson |
| Productions | 2004 Broadway 2006 US tour |
Brooklyn The Musical is a musical with a book, lyrics, and music by Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Using a play within a play concept, it focuses on a group of five ragtag homeless musicians known as the City Weeds who periodically transforms a street corner under the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge into a stage where they present their play about Parisian singer Brooklyn, named after the New York City borough from which her wayward father Taylor hailed. Orphaned when her depressed mother Faith hangs herself, the girl in quick succession is sent to live in a convent where she discovers her vocal talents, becomes a star, performs at Carnegie Hall, sets out in search of her father (who she discovers is a drug-addicted Vietnam War vet), and engages in a competition with local diva Paradice at Madison Square Garden.
[edit] Creation
Schoenfeld and McPherson had collaborated on a record more than two decades earlier but lost touch until the latter, now a Massachusetts housewife, encountered her former partner singing on a Brooklyn street corner as a means of support. She invited him home to live with her and her family, and the two began to write songs based on Schoenfeld's experiences they eventually worked into a plot boasting elements of Annie, Madame Butterfly, Movin' Out, Rent, and every fairy tale that ever ended happily ever after.
After twenty-seven previews, the Broadway production, directed by Jeff Calhoun, opened on Oct 21, 2004 at the Plymouth Theatre (renamed the Gerald Schoenfeld in May 2005), where it ran for 284 performances. The cast included Eden Espinosa as Brooklyn, Karen Olivo as Faith, Kevin Anderson as Taylor, Ramona Keller as Paradice, and Cleavant Derricks as a street singer who acts as the narrator.
[edit] Cast Recording
A cast album recorded live during a performance before an invited audience [1] was released on the Razor & Tie label. It is in high definition.
[edit] National Tour and Other Productions
A 2006 national tour starred American Idol finalist Diana DeGarmo as Brooklyn and Melba Moore as Paradice. Cleavant Davis reprised his performance as Street Singer, with original cast member Julie Reiber as Faith.
Baldwin Wallace College was granted the rights to put on a regional production in Berea, Ohio in April of 2008. It played at Playhouse Square's 14th Street Theatre in May of 2008.
[edit] Song and Scene List
- A Good Crowd Goin'...
- Heart Behind These Hands
- Christmas Makes Me Cry
- Thank You Sir
- Scene One
- Christmas Makes Me Cry
- Not a Sound
- Brooklyn Grew Up
- Creating Once Upon a Time
- Once Upon a Time
- Superlover
- The Challenge
- Brooklyn in the Blood
- Brooklyn Grew Up (Reprise)
- Magic Man
- Once Upon A Time (Reprise)
- Love Was A Song
- I Never Knew His Name
- The Truth
- Does Anybody Wanna Buy a Memory?
- Raven
- Sometimes
- Madison Square Garden
- Love Me Where I Live
- Love Fell Like Rain
- Magic Man (Reprise)
- Streetsinger
- Once Upon A Time (Reprise)
- Heart Behind These Hands (Reprise)
