For Sue Harris, MTF in Elmira and
"Johnston, Marjorie" <[log in to unmask]> in Chicago

A quite clever musical written by members of the Red Clay Ramblers,
adapting
"Life on the Mississippi,"  was performed by them in Chapel Hill, NC
both in
concert version and as a full stage musical by The Playmakers Theatre
there,
shortly before Big River hit Broadway. Soon after, I co-directed and
produced it
at The Julian Theatre in San Francisco to pretty hot reviews and pleased
public. But the Ramblers own the music, and I think their music
publisher is
Chicago-based. (does Flying Fish Records ring a bell?) It's as American
as a musical can be.

(I'll look for them also)

It's true to the book in words and spirit, with a jazzy bluegrass feel
to the
music by Tommy Thompson and Bland Simpson (both Ramblers). Lovely and
lively
tunes -- "Try as I might, I can't seem to get things right, Life's a
mystery to
me...", "Mumble-d-Peg" (rap /pre-rap), and "You got to get this river by
heart!"
-- I've been singing them all since your message came.

If you find them before I do, tell them I sent you. The U of NC English
dept or
Drama program should know where they're living now.

Sue Harris wrote:

> We had  a Mark Twain Musical that was performed for quite a few years here
> in Elmira.  Don't know if there was ever a video made of that professionally
> or not.  Someone like Gretchen Sharlow may be able to help you with that.
>
> I saw the performance four times and although it was changed somewhat each
> time, it was always wonderful.
>
> Sue Harris
> Elmira
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Johnston, Marjorie" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 4:33 PM
> Subject: Twain lyrics
>
> > The Chicago Symphony Singers are programming some American sets, and we
> > would be interested=20
> >
> > in any Mark Twain texts that have been set to music (choral, solo, or
> > small vocal ensemble).  Thanks
> >
> > for any help you can give.
> >
> > =20
> >
> > Margie
> >
> > =20
> >
> > Marjorie Johnston
> > Music Librarian
> > Chicago Symphony Chorus
> > 312-294-3423     fax 312-294-3234
> >
> > =20