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