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REBELS is an uplifting new musical that brings the Boston of
1775 and a host of famous and forgotten historic figures back to
life. The story centers on Enoch Cooper, an American smuggler who
is cynical about the politics of the time. But, when he falls in
love with the mistress of a Tory household, and his sister breaks
British law, he finds himself forced to choose between standing
with the Crown or taking a stand against the King’s oppression.
Set against the backdrop of events from the Boston Tea Party, through "the
shot heard 'round the world", to the Battle for Bunker Hill,
REBELS reminds us all why the fight for American liberty was and
remains so important. The score features soaring chorales, tender
arias and sprightly ditties for a truly American sound.
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(In order of appearance)
Enoch Cooper (28) - lyric baritone
Mary Marston (26-28) - soprano
Rev. Malcolm Humphrey / Capt. Ebenezer Mackintosh (30s) - bass
Mrs. Tabitha Benson (30s-40s) - alto / mezzo
Joshua Johnson / Redcoat (40s) - baritone
Samuel Adams / Gen. Thomas Gage (40s-50s) - baritone / character
voice
Paul Revere / Lt. Baker (40) - 1st tenor
Sergeant Bertram Maggs (30s-40s) - baritone / character voice
Dr. Joseph Warren (33) - 2nd tenor
Emily Cooper (16) - pure soprano
Beth Marston (6) - any child’s vocal range
Pvt. Jamie Button (teens-20s) - Irish tenor
Chorus - SATB - 3+ W, 5+ M; principal join in ensemble numbers
when available. |
(top)(underlined selections included on CD )
REBELS 1775 unfolds in pre-Revolutionary War Boston (The Rising
of a Gale), a city thrown into turmoil by the infamous Tea Party, British
occupation forces, and the closing of the port in 1774. It is here
that we meet Enoch Cooper, a man with a boat who makes his living transporting
-- and often smuggling -- goods for the highest bidder. Enoch’s
aim is to earn money enough to move his sister, Emily, far from Boston
before the tensions between the rebels and the Crown lead to bloodshed
(Falmouth Bay).
Boston becomes increasingly dangerous with the arrival of recruits drawn from
the dregs of English society (Beware O’ the Men in Red). Meanwhile, Enoch
secures a position for his sister in the home of a loyalist minister, the Rev.
Malcolm Humphrey, with the help of his shipmate Joshua. The Reverend’s
widowed sister, Mary Marston, warms to Emily when she sees how her small daughter
takes to the girl (I Saw a Ship A‚ Sailin). Reverend Humphrey decides to
quarter soldiers in the parish house barn (We’re All of us In It). Elsewhere,
Enoch is asked by the rebel leaders Sam Adams, John Hancock and Dr. Joseph Warren
to move a stash of guns (It‚s a Crucial Time). He turns them down, admitting
to Joshua that he doesn’t trust the motives of “our so-called patriots” (Aristocrats).
As fall turns to winter, Emily becomes Mary‚s confidant and learns how
difficult the young widow finds life with her dictatorial brother (In Seasons
Past). The weather warms, and Emily meets and is charmed by one of the British
soldiers -- Private Jamie Button—who has been living in the barn (Never
in My Days). Enoch is furious with Mary that this soldier has been in the house
with Emily and the growing bond between them is tested. Mary promises to keep
an eye on the situation.
In April, 1775, on a cold night, the Sons of Liberty waylay Enoch and accuse
him of supplying the King‚s officers, for whom he smuggles wine, with information
about the rebels. Enoch is saved from a tar-and-feathering by Paul Revere and
Dr. Warren -- two of the few in Boston that Enoch respects enough to hear promote
the cause of liberty (Each the Master). Word reaches them that British troops
are assembling for a march on Lexington and Concord and Revere leaves to warn
the countryside. Enoch, Mary and others voice their fears about the outcome (The
Regulars are Out) as Redcoats thunder onto the Lexington green and meet with
the muskets of the local militia. A shot rings out, followed by a barrage of
gunfire, and the curtain falls on Act One.
Act Two finds Boston stunned by the events at Lexington and Concord (The Aftermath)
In retaliation, rebel militias have surrounded the city and Enoch‚s ability
to get in and out of the harbor quickly earns him most of the money he needs
to quit Boston for good. However, he and Mary Marston have grown very fond of
one another and the news that Enoch and Emily are leaving hits her hard. An attempt
to express their gratitude to one another for the kindnesses they’ve shared
becomes an expression of unrequited love (A Kind and Generous Gesture).
Boston is rife with rumors about the details of Paul Revere’s famous ride.
Enoch catches up with him on a final smuggling run and Paul sets the story straight
(Paul Revere’s Ride). When a wounded Jamie Button returns from Lexington
and Concord with grave misgivings about his service to the King (Release), Emily
helps him to escape from the army (We Wait, We Watch). Jamie gets away, but Emily
is caught, beaten by Sargeant Maggs, and cast out the parish house. Sickened
by her brother Malcolm's coldheartedness (I’ll Not Listen Anymore!), Mary
declares it her intention to leave his home as well. Enoch returns home, discovers
what has happened and attempts to reconcile how his efforts on Emily’s
behalf have lead her instead to such suffering (Unanswered Prayers). He resolves
to flee from Boston that very night, June 16, 1775, with his sister, Mary and
Mary’s daughter. Jamie, who has been in hiding, intercedes when Enoch runs
afoul of the British and together they sail to Cambridge. There, Enoch learns
that the rebels have fortified Bunker’s Hill -- his friend Joshua among
them -- and decides that he has to stand with them against the King’s men.
He asks Jamie to see the others to safety in Watertown. Then, he and Mary finally
admit to their affection for one another, fearful that Enoch will die at Bunker’s
Hill.
We witness the clash from all sides (The Battle for Bunker’s Hill) and
Enoch witnesses the death of Josh, Dr. Warren and Sargeant Maggs- who is killed
by his own gun. Enoch writes a letter to Mary reporting what happened and that
he means to volunteer his boat to the new commander bound for Boston,General
George Washington. Enoch expresses that “there’s new times for all
of us, where no royalty breeds corruption…we are not the rebels, they
are! Those who would rebel against all that’s honest and fair ….for ‘In
The Beginning all the world was America’ …”(End of play).
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(top)IN THE BEGINNING - SAMPLE
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Vocalists: Mark Aldrich, Mana Allen, William Robert Evans, Michael
Greenwood, Erin Hill,
Eddie Korbich, Monica Anselm
THE RIDE OF PAUL REVERE - SAMPLE
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Lodin&Squier)
Vocalists: Eddie Korbich with Mark Aldrich, Mana Allen, William
Robert Evans, Michael Greenwood, Erin
Hill, Monica Anselm
A KIND AND GENEROUS GESTURE - SAMPLE
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Vocalists: Michael Greenwood, Erin Hill
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(top)The Spirit of Broadway Theater - Norwich, CT
Full production. February 18 - March 14, 2004
Cast of 25. Brett A. Bernardini, director.
Collaborative Arts Project 21 - CAP21 Theatre, NYC, NY
Blackjacks New Works Festival. May 2002.
Three concert readings produced under an Equity showcase code.
Cast of 23. Sheryl Kaller, director.
Curtain Call, Inc. - Stamford CT
Benefit concert. November 2001.
Score selections performed by a cast of 8.
Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre - Rockford, IL.
Full production. June 27 - July 29, 2001.
Cast of 88. Michael P. Webb, director.
Collaborative Arts Project 21, NYC, NY
Studio concert reading; act one. May 1999.
Dorothy Danner, director.
BMI, NYC, NY
Studio cold reading; rough first draft. 1993.
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(top)“Ambitious and effective.”
“ The script is effective in interweaving the fictional elements with
the historical characters and events, then turning it around and showing
how these events affect the fictional characters.”
DAVID PENCEK
Norwich Bulletin
February 27, 2004
“ Kudos to the Rock Valley College troupe and all involved.”
“ The score by Jeffrey Lodin traverses a broad range of emotions and
styles quite successfully. He has theatrical passages for deep dramatic
moments and bouncy little ditties and deeply introspective themes.”
VICTOR R. YEHLING
Rockford Register Star
June 28, 2001 |
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JOHN ALLEN (Co-Author: Book & Lyrics) wrote
11 historical musicals for Theaterworks USA, including YOUNG TOM
JEFFERSON (music: Albert
Hague), -YOUNG MARK TWAIN (music: Mary Rodgers), LOOK TO THE STARS
and LADY LIBERTY (music: Joe Raposo) and YOUNG ABE LINCOLN (music:
Jeffrey Lodin). He also wrote FORGE OF FREEDOM (Ford's Theatre).
His plays include OH SAY CAN YOU SEE L.A?, THE OTHER MAN (Off-Broadway),
and LAUGHTER IN THE FAR DARK (Berkeley Stage Co). On Broadway, Mr.
Allen directed DEAR OSCAR, BUT, SERIOUSLY, and I HAD A BALL. Allen
also assisted George Abbott on 15 Broadway shows from 1957 to 1980.
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MANA ALLEN (Co-Author Book) served as dramaturge
on her father John Allen’s musicals most of her adult life,
her work on Rebels 1775 is dedicated to his memory.
As an actress, Mana created roles in 17 world premiere productions
including on Broadway in Merrily We Roll Along and in Smile, as well as Off
Broadway, regionally, nationally and internationally. She has created
and directed numerous revues for the popular CAP21 Composer Projects,
and cabarets at the Duplex in NYC. Since 1988, Mana has devoted
herself to the development of new works for the stage. Artistic
company member: The Gathering at Big Fork ('92-'94), The New Harmony
Project 2000. Associate producer: CAP21 Blackjacks New Works Festivals.
('94-'97). Faculty member: CAP21-NYU. Mana is married to silent
film composer Ben Model and is Mom to the adorable Molly. For more
information visit www.CAP21.org. |
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