A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

American Cantata

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Drama  /  5w, 1m

Elaine Kendall, Elaine Moe, Dennis Poore, John Sanford

Elaine Kendall, Elaine Moe and Dennis Poore
Adapted from John Sanford's Feed Their Hopes

"Rarely, if ever, do plays celebrate their subject matter as well... American Cantata easily won my vote as the best celebration of American womanhood in recent reckoning." - The East Villager
A celebration in music and drama of the spirit and imagination of American women; covering three centuries of their triumphs and tragedies.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Docudrama/Historic
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary
A celebration in music and drama of the spirit and imagination of American women; covering three centuries of their triumphs and tragedies. The vignettes, virtually all accompanied by original songs, portray Sally Hemmings, the slave who bore children to Thomas Jefferson; Molly Maguire, 19tth century labor firebrand; Mary Surratt, accused in the Lincoln conspiracy; Elizabeth Custer, wife of the General; the innovative dancer Isadora Duncan; singer Bessie Smith; stateswoman Golda Meir; singer/dancer Josephine Baker; Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt; artist Georgia O'Keefe and 12 other notable, quotable and remarkable women. Dramatic unity is provided by the narrator John Sanford, author of the book from which the vignettes were chosen. Scenes include the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, in which twelve dozen girls perished, and many other historical milestones in which women played significant roles. The musical deals with exceptional lives in the arts. politics, entertainment,and science.
History
First produced at the Quaigue Theater, NYC.
JULIAN - a writer, male, Baritone-Tenor; plays all male roles
WOMAN ONE - Soprano; plays Ms. Blauvelt, Peggy’s Friend, Rosina Sacco, Survivor, Over and Past, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Ensemble
WOMAN TWO - High Soprano; plays Molly Maguire, Maria Mitchell, Isadora Duncan, Over and Past, Protester, Ensemble
WOMAN THREE - Mezzo-Soprano; plays Sally Hemmings, Librarian, Witness, Bessie Smith, Josephine Baker, Ensemble, Polly Ann Henry (optional scene)
WOMAN FOUR - 2nd Soprano; plays Peggy S. Arnold, Dame Shirley, Baby Doe, Spectator, Golda Meir, Georgia O’Keeffe, Ensemble
WOMAN FIVE - 2nd Alto; plays Sister, Elizabeth Custer, Girlfriend, Editor, Ella Bloor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marion Davies, Ensemble
PIANO - on stage
BASS - on stage (optional)
GUITAR - on stage (optional)

NYC production was played by 1 male and 5 females. Other productions had as many women as desired by the company. The characters represent actual people at various stages of their lives, and can be ages from 20s to 50s or 60s, All women should be versatile singers. The narrator doesn't sing. The majority of women are between 20 and 40 at the time of their episodes. Age, however is not particularly important in this play.

  • Time Period 18th Century, 19th Century, Present Day, 1930s, 1920s, 1910s / WWI, 1900-1910, American Civil War Era
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Play w/ Music
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

"Rarely, if ever, do plays celebrate their subject matter as well...American Cantata easily won my vote as the best celebration of American womanhood in recent reckoning." - The East Villager

Music

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Jazz, Folk, Operetta
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Piano Only
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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7 Piano-Vocal Scores
This title is orchestrated for Piano Only.

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Authors

Elaine Kendall

Elaine Kendall has written libretti and lyrics for musical shows, including An American Cantata  (publlished by Samuel French; produced in various venues throughout the US), The Would-be Diva (about Ganna Walska, creator of the celebrated Santa Barbara garden Lotusland; Cente ...
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Author

Elaine Moe

Dennis Poore

Dennis Poore is the composer of everything from European dance hits like 'Strange Desire' and 'Young Men' to the Julie Brown cult favorites 'Cause I'm A Blond' and 'Brand New Girl' from the film Earth Girls Are Easy. He was also nominated for a Clio for his Chase-Manhattan Ba ...
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Author

John Sanford

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