[actionfolksinger]

Are there any other writers on this board? I have nothing against plays that have already been done but isn't there anyone here who has something unique to say? Something of their own they want to express on the stage? Isn't there someone who wants to say their own words in a song or monologue?

Just curious

I've actually written two musicals. Well one musical and a cantata. And okay they are adaptations but the music is completely new. They are...

Spider Baby and horror musical based on the cult film

the Clowns a cantata based on Pagliacci

I'm working on two other pieces. A as yet unamed cabaret piece based on the gran guignol. And I just started work on a lovely romantic piece about posessivness murder and revenge.

So is there anyone else with a vision of their own? Tell me what you're working on.

And now using only emoticons I shall do my impression of someone who had a wonderful curry that turned out to be just a little two spicy.

[Lazarus (Adam G)]

I won't go into details, but I just finished one about the Civil War (I just had it copyrighted, actually). I'm trying to get a Concept Album made.

I know jcstar writes rock-operas, (www.gasmproductions.com)

Dunno about anyone else.

[Ulla Dance Again!]

I started working on a musical...but gave it up because I'm not very good at composition. I would like to try again and this time do something that's more in my range - like a piece set in the 1930's.

[Lazarus (Adam G)]

I can't compose either, I just write lyrics.

I have someone who's composing the music.

I'm jumping for joy right now. It took forever for the copyright form to be processed by the Library of Congress.

I just got the reply today, and it's official!

[actionfolksinger]

I think it's safe to say that none of us so far are composers. Basically I was a singer songwriter. I used to tour every year till it got too expensive. I can't make any money with the new gas prices. So I had to find a different way to get people to listen to my music.

That's when I started making musicals. Though my stuff doesn't really sound like musicals these days. I don't like dialogue or exposition in my lyrics. My songs are more monologues. A peek into the characters soul.

Then again it might be I'm not good enough to write dialogue or exposition in my songs. It is possible.

What does your stuff sound like.

[krisavalon]

I am composing a musical using only analogue synthesizers and electronic instrumentation. Musically it is very new wave, goth and synth pop influenced; lyrically, it tells the story of Dante's Inferno. I call it The Divine Tragedy.

[actionfolksinger]

[krisavalon]

[Nudelkopf]

Psyches, who doesn't post here much anymore, has written several musicals. He did a few while he was still in high school and when he left he wrote a few more. The one I believe he's most proud of is Lucifer (http://www.freewebs.com/jonathonpsyches). I've heard most the music (I don't know if it's on that site) but I love it.

[actionfolksinger]

I'd like to hear it but there are no mp3's on the site. Is there a CD somewhere I could listen to? I produce stuff so I might be willing to stage it.

[Lazarus (Adam G)]

What program did you use to compose it, krisavalon?

Does anyone know how I'd find someone who can compose music? An add in the paper, perhaps?

[Lazarus (Adam G)]

Also, I wrote a lot of parts to my musical... is there such thing as too much?

[Trevor]

I wrote a musical using Elvis's music. The story has nothing to do with Elvis though. But then All Shook Up stole my idea. And now I'm screwed. Which is a shame because mine is ever so much better than All Shook Up.

[playwrightmo]

[windscreen]

I wrote A song for Europe in 12 weeks, though I did have around a third of the music already. My wife took over writing the lyrics halfway through and I battled on with the story line. Spent loads of time on my previous 3 musicals but they all turned out crap.

Have 2 top West End performers wanting to play the principal parts so I guess all the mistakes with the first 3 musicals paid off.

www.asongforeurope.co.uk

[Jim_L]

Reasonably new here and still reading posts but, as I've written a musical comedy which I've posted elsewhere here, I guess i'll do it again...:>)

The Tavern & The Storyteller (royalty free at this point with minor conditions) - which just had a great debut at my son's high school (for whom I wrote it). The set may put off some (easy but time consuming to build) unless someone has an easier way to represent the thing (I'm all ears...).

10M/5F, 2 acts, 20 scenes, 10 easy to play songs (just an acoustic guitar is enough), almost everyone sings, dancing (great opportunities for choreography), room for audience participation/interaction (they are the forest after all - improv!).
Depending on who you talk to at the school, it's the funniest thing they've seen in the past 10-30 years (who's been there that long?).
-Jim

http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/index.html

[music is my life!!!]

[PappyCat]

[Lazarus (Adam G)]

[lizadoolittle]

I'm currently looking for a brilliant composer to team up with, but I've already started writing "Saved By the Bell: The Musical". Don't laugh...its going to be huge.

[Jim_L]

Thanks!
Well,... put it on! What kind of set can i design around your stage for it?
I wish I had a bigger set so I could have put a 'bandstand' in the main tavern room so the pit could be there - or a lone quiet 'guitarist/bard' underneath a big hat sitting alone on the 'stage' would do all the music...

I know! The Storyteller would be the lone musician and pull out his guitar... he does sing after all...
So many ideas...
But as the play starts off with the TK it'll just have to be changed to the ST addressing the audience (like the beginning of the 10 Commandments) so he'll introduce the audience (more like Rod introduces the Twilight Zone...) to his story, which would make it 2 storys within the 1st story even though it would end with the 2nd story... which is the final outcome of the 3rd story... but, it gives the ST the chance to play the intro/exit tunes...

Does that make it a trilogy? Anyone now have a headache besides me?

[Jim_L]

I'm planning on a black box mime show with dark sock hand puppets that takes place at night.
It'll be a musical comedy about the silent movie era...

with skating on black ice...

it'll make a great road show...

ok, i'm stopping now...

[Lazarus (Adam G)]

I need a composer, but it doesn't help that I'm uber paranoid.

[Jim_L]

First, define composer. A simple songwriter, one who'll just write & record your song with your lyrics or a sheet music writer who'll come up with vast amounts of instrumentation?

Second, write down your concerns about the legalities (come on lawyer types, jump in here!) of who owns the song rights and % from possible future royalties and all that fun stuff. Everyone wants to make sure their work is protected and everyone gets a fair deal so don't hesitate to ask what may seem an innocent/greedy/insulting/paranoid question.

Heck, I want to know too! I've got books of sheet music i need to go over with the music teacher who came up with the additional instrumentation for the tavern songs and that could take months to tweak! Of course, I'm happy with just a single 3 piece band and look at the additional stuff as frosting and let the music director make stuff up as the pit goes along... but that's just me... it was never my idea/intent to have a full orchestra anyway and now there's just more work to do (cause somebody's gonna ask for the stuff!).

[Apples2for10]

I'm currently composing two musical adapts of movies: You Can't Take It With You, and John Tucker Must Die.