The MAnderson Report: what i did this summer

the past 2 weeks, i had the awesome opportunity to be part of a workshop of a new musical for ford's theater. for those of you new to the phrase 'workshop of a musical' (which is in large part my family...which is why i have been explaining the whole thing to them over the past 2 weeks), it's basically a concert-version, trial run of a show that is in development...so writers and directors and composers and artistic directors and whoever else can see and hear the piece before giving the big "OK" to have a full production staged.

the show we were workshopping is called 'liberty smith' - and the best description i have found for it came from an online description:

Liberty Smith, a musical comedy about the American Revolution.

George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Betsy Ross, The Boston Tea Party, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, and the Revolutionary War... These names and events are the foundation on which our country was built. Now Liberty Smith, a new musical by Michael Weiner (composer), Adam Abraham (lyrics), Marc Madnick (co-librettist) and Eric R. Cohen (co-librettist), presents these characters and events leading to the founding of America through an exciting mixture of song, dance, humor, and heart.

This spirited new musical is American history... but with a Forrest Gump-type twist. Liberty Smith is an everyman hero and the "forgotten" Founding Father who crosses paths with historical giants and influences great events in funny and unexpected ways.

* * * * *

we spent 2 weeks rehearsing with the writers of the show, our music director, jay crowder, and our director, matt august. every day we had changes and writes and re-writes as we tried to get the material to that perfect "place" that would prove that it needs a full production.

it was an incredible 2 weeks for me! first off, the piece was just fun. it's silly - the music made me happy - and it is a great "fit" for ford's and the tourists that they have come through. secondly, it was amazing to get to see the 'creative' side of a new musical work. although the show was written when we started, it was fun to see the creative team shape and mold and fix things we we moved along. creativity in action is fun to watch. and finally, one of the biggest rewards was working with the cast. it truly was an all-star cast of dc actors. there were several times, as i sat there watching everyone, where i had to pinch myself to see if i was really in the room! (i may have gotten a little verklempt a couple of times....don't judge me! i mean, in the finale we sang, 'dare but to dream....for there's nothing a dreamer can't do.' are you kidding me? that is the ESSENCE of being LTD!) i was always happy to realize i was, indeed, among 'giants', and loving every minute of it!

last thursday afternoon, we did a final performance of it for the ford's staff and an invited audience, and everything went off very well. i was very happy/proud to be a part of it. the next step? wait and see if ford's decides to pick up the show for a future season, to produce a full production of it! i'll be sure and keep you posted. until then, enjoy some pictures i snapped the day of our performance...while we waited in the green room to start the show!

and until we hear something, dare but to dream, friends.

the cast relaxes in the green room before heading on stage.

the beautiful brianne cobuzzi, who played my wife, shapotatweet adams. (she chose the name.)

more maxin' and relaxin', pre-show-style.

i'm not even sure what is going on in this picture, but it's my favorite one i took this day. back: nick blaemire (liberty smith) & brianne cobuzzi (shapotatweet adams). front: erin driscoll (emily) and kevin clay (child actor). hysterical picture.

gia mora (marie antoinette)...um...doing the dishes, it looks like. hmmmm....

some of the guys. l-r: michael bunce (lead player/town crier), steve cupo (paul revere), michael sazonov (benedict arnold), tom simpson (king louis).

the incomparable (and my good friend) donna migliaccio (betsy ross) poses for the camera!

another shot that i'm uncertain about what was actually happening, but there is so much entertaining going on in the picture, that it's worth sharing.