READY MUSICALS
(ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED)
THE ANOINTED: An Epic Musical
Book and Lyrics by Thomas F. Rogers
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
A musical spanning and contrasting the years from Saul’s Kingship, when David slew Goliath, through to Solomon’s building of the temple in Jerusalem. A gripping musical drama.
POSTED ON NEW PLAY EXCHANGE:
“A very thorough treatment of the Old Testament story of King David is delivered with wonderful songs and accurate speeches. Many of the Old Testament names are included and given majestic monologues remarkably true to Scripture. The songs are a touching embellishment to the script. This epic becomes a valuable addition to Biblical interpretation and its theatricality cannot be disputed. Be prepared for a glorious show with many characters and songs. Fortunately, the audience will, in many cases be familiar with the story while being educated anew with some of its details.” — DONNA GORDON (25 May 2019)
SAMPLE SONG: (From the Finale Music Notation files: THE PRELUDE (which leads directly into the next song: NOW IS THE DAY OF ISRAEL’S GLORY, not presented here)
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APOCALYPSO! A Revelation of a Musical
Book and Lyrics by Thom Duncan
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
Based on the Book of Revelation, this quirky and driving musical will leave you laughing, crying, and maybe a little shattered, because after all, it is about the Apocalypse!
Mr. Dragon shows up, the most exciting producer/director in Broadway history, and he has a new show about the end of days.
SAMPLE SONG: The Show Of Shows
For further information and SONGS, VISIT THE APOCALYPSO! page HERE.
VISIT: My Leicester Bay Theatricals Musicals
THE BALLAD OF PARLEY P!
Book and Lyrics by Thom Duncan
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
The Life and Times of Parley P. Pratt as told by a theatrical company who ‘stumble’ upon his life story and create a musical out of it. Their struggles over the material, their belief, or lack of it, drive this story.
SAMPLE SONG: Condemnations and Majesty (Finale Act 1)
VISIT: My Zion Theatricals Musicals
CHRISTMAS ON THE BLUE
Book and Lyrics by Elizabeth Hansen
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
The 1940s — struggling radio station — World War II soldier missing and feared dead. But it’s Christmas and his wife and son refuse to give up as they keep his dream of local radio alive. Until a stranger shows up.
SAMPLE SONG: Christmas Without You (the opening song) (2 versions: 1 instrumental, 1 Vocal [early lyrics])
VISIT: My Hansen-Perry Productions Musicals
COMING HOME – A Christmas Story
Book & Lyrics by George G. King
Music & Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
(Perfect for Professional, Community, College/University, and Church groups.)
On the night of the great blizzard of 1953 a young couple find their way to the Herstoller Hotel, a mountain inn. She is pregnant. Their car has broken down just outside. They are looking for a room. The innkeeper’s wife is leaving; she has had it. As her husband enters they begin to air their personal laundry in front of these young strangers. But a busload of entertainers is on their way, and though the inn is all booked up––the beds aren’t made, yet! The wife leaves. The young couple is turned away. The daughter of the innkeeper, and her boyfriend, arrive. The innkeeper’s wife re-enters with the young couple in tow, and she needs a doctor–– right away. What no one in the play seems to realize is that they are all in the process of coming home.
SAMPLE SONG: Down Home (the opening number)
VIEW IT ON THE PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE (Leicester Bay Theatricals)
© 2017 by George G. King and C. Michael Perry
CRICKET ON THE HEARTH
Book Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
This is Dickens’ other Christmas carol. The magic of life is evident in the Peerybingle household with a happy marriage and a newborn son. Two houses are blessed by the lucky Crickets: The Peerybingles, the Plummers, with Mr. Tackleton’s awaiting the blessing of life and love.. Everyone’s paths are soon to cross with Tackleton, a disgruntled toymaker, who hates all humanity except May Fielding. He lives to make people miserable — especially children — as his toys are gruesome and scary. His employees, Caleb and Bertha, (who is blind) are simple, poor people who slave to make quality toys that the children will play with. Tackleton berates them, but their toys are purchased over his and that makes him even more bitter. Tackleton’s marriage plans are interrupted by the return of The Strange Gentleman — a man with a secret. After the work of the Crickets and the household Spirits, Tackleton gives up May to The Strange Gentleman, who is really Caleb’s long lost son (Bertha’s brother) and marries May’s mother — a woman more suitable to his age. But not before accusations are made and trust is broken all around and everyone is afraid that nothing will turn out on Christmas Eve morning. SONGS include: Gruff and Tackleton, Peerybingle and Son, Cricket on the Hearth, Just To Be Alive, Lots of Toys, You Are My Eyes, Steel Yourself, Calm Quiet Moon, How Good, I Will Remember, Everyday Every Hour, At This Time of Year.
SAMPLE SONG (rough demo by the author) You Are My Eyes
VISIT Leicester Bay Theatricals.com
EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON a new family musical
Book and Lyrics by George and Gayanne King
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
Trolls, Humans, True Love, Slavery, Quests, Magic, all the little things that matter.
This show is ready to take its first step, whether that is a reading, a workshop production, or a full production.
SAMPLE SONG — One Of Those (sets up the relationship between the main characters: Anders and Kristen)
LYRIC:
KRISTEN:
HE’S A MAN WHO’S VERY NICE.
AND HE GIVES ME GOOD ADVICE.
ANDERS:
SHE’S A GIRL WHO’S HONEST, AND KIND
SUCH A GIRL IS HARD TO FIND.
SHE IS INDEED A MAIDEN FAIR.
WHO SPEAKS HER MIND, AND THAT IS RARE.
SHE CARES FOR MORE THAN JEWELS AND CLOTHES,
SHE IS A TRUE AND HONEST ROSE.
I’LL HAVE TO GET ME ONE OF THOSE!
KRISTEN:
HE’S LIKE A PRINCE IN WORD AND DEED.
BUT IS A PRINCE THE MAN I NEED?
FOR WHO CAN TELL WHERE THIS MAY END?
A FRIEND WHO WARS THOSE FANCY CLOTHES?
I SURELY DON’T NEED ONE OF THOSE!
TOGETHER:
ONE TRUE FRIEND!
ANDERS:
WILL IT EVER BE THAT EASY?
TOGETHER:
ONE TRUE FRIEND!
KRISTEN:
I’M FEELING KINDA QUEASY!
TOGETHER:
BUT ONE TRUE FRIEND’S A BETTER END THAT NOT A FRIEND AT ALL!
KRISTEN:
BESIDES HE’S RATHER TALL!
ANDERS:
BESIDES SHE’S KINDA SMALL!
TOGETHER:
I’M UNDERTAKING
JUST AWAKING,
KNEES A-QUAKING,
MIGHT BE MAKING
ONE TRUE FRIEND!
ONE OF THOSE!
SOON TO BE OFFERED THROUGH LEICESTER BAY THEATRICALS
For further information and SONGS, VISIT THE EOTS page HERE.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Book and Lyrics by Neil K. Newell Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
On a wet and dreary day in 1858, Charles Dickens finds shelter from a storm in the home of one Phillip Pirrip. Intrigued by the unusual artifacts that decorate his home he entreats Phillip to tell him the story behind them. The 65 year-old Phillip begins telling the story of his childhood, when he was known as Pip, in what is soon to become Dickens’ newest novel, “GREAT EXPECTATIONS.” Considered one of Dickens’ finest works, “GREAT EXPECTATIONS” is the coming of age story of the orphan Pip who falls in love with the unreachable Estella. In order to win her he desires to raise himself from a blacksmith’s apprentice to a gentleman. When the means to do so miraculously appear, he travels to London, with expectations to become a gentleman. In spite of his new-found wealth and position Estella remains unreachable. When Pip learns that his mysterious benefactor is none other than a common criminal, whom he had aided when he was a child, he realizes that he can no longer accept his support. This signals the end of his financial expectations and a final realization that Estella will forever remain unreachable. Years later, Pip and Estella meet once again. The years of hard experience have softened Estella and brought her to the realization that Pip is her first and only love. The unique construction of the script allows for a fluid staging with Dickens and Phillip wandering through the story — experiencing and living it. The haunting and unforgettable musical score adds rich texture to this classic story of love and loss.
SAMPLE SONG (from the first production, now revised and looking for a new theatre) The title song:
VISIT: Leicester Bay Theatricals.com
HEIDI – A New Family Musical
Book and Lyrics by Gayanne Ramsden King
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
A faithful telling of the classic story of the little girl and her Grandfather on the Alm. The focus of the musical is on how Heidi’s life and ebullient spirit touches and changes each life she comes in contact with as she grows up and learns about God. Peter, Alm Uncle, The Grandmother, Klara Sesseman, Herr Sesseman, Grandmother Sesseman, the Servants — all are changed by their contact with Heidi. Even Miss Rottenmeier and the Professor are touched by her magic, but choose not to change. Heidi does not remain unchanged by her contact with those around her; she soaks up life and learns painful and joyful lessons and goes on.
A FULL BROADWAY-TYPE MUSICAL TREATMENT OF THE BELOVED STORY!
ONE Workshop Production, so far.
SAMPLE SONG (mp3s from the Finale Music Notation file for the OVERTURE to Heidi (containing the following songs: God Will Hear You; Starlight, Starbright; A Little Girl, On The Mountain!)
VISIT Leicester Bay Theatricals.com
IMPRESSIONS ON PLATES OF GOLD: A Book of Mormon Musical Experience
Book and Lyrics by Eric Samuelsen
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
The power and purpose of the Book of Mormon come to the forefront in this unique celebration of its message, interpreted by “likening the Scriptures” for modern audiences. We become part of some of the greatest stories and moments in the Book of Mormon. We come to understand both our Earthly Purpose and our Divine Nature and how they work together, through our personal involvement. Mormon, Moroni, Nephi, Captain Moroni, Amulek, Lamoni’s Wife, The Stripling Warriors and their Mothers and many more provide us with examples of Faith — it is not perfect, not without momentary doubt — but that Faith is perfect-ing and able to empower each Human soul, impelling them towards their God and Creator.
SAMPLE SONG — made from the FINALE file without vocals, but the melody line is played. I SING A SONG OF PEACE
LYRICS — I SING A SONG OF PEACE (© 2020 by C Michael Perry & Eric Samuelsen)
LAMANITE WOMAN:
I grind the flour, I bake my bread, The jar of maize is overflowing!
My children play; they’re laughing, fed. They kick up dust clouds, never knowing
Tomorrow they will play again.
No need to wonder when
Or if they will eat. will this be the day
They see the soldiers… and run away?
I sing a song of peace.
Of how it feels when hate is gone
A song about the sweet release
From enmity, from fear. A song
… of peace.
(MUSIC Underscores dialog, FLUTE plays melody)
LAMANITE WOMAN:
I beat the blankets — scraping off the mud, no longer caked with blood!
While packing up the battle kit I’ve prayed the end of it be sudden!
The warrior who owns my heart May not be seen again.
I hope for a world Where war’s not an art,
And never visit’s my sweet, young men.
(MUSIC Underscores dialog, STRINGS play melody.)
LAMANITE WOMAN:
I sing a song of peace.
Of how it feels when hate is gone
A song about the sweet release
From enmity, from fear. A song
… of peace.
Visit: Ziontheatricals.com
THE INNKEEPER’S SON — A musical version of the Nativity with a special twist.
BOOK by Stephen Tomek
MUSIC and LYRICS by C. Michael Perry
Jamis, the Innkeeper’s son and his friend, Benjamin, are bored with the sameness of life and fascinated by the local Roman Guard. The future lies with Rome and all it can offer. Strangers appear on their doorstep at taxing time. Joseph and his espoused wife, Mary — heavily pregnant — arrive looking for a room. The inn has none, but they are offered room in the stable. They accept. As miracles occur, the household and others find that there is the most special guest as a baby is born — The Messiah — which not only changes the lives of the adults, but begins to hit home with James and Benjamin, who now see a future they had never imagined.
SAMPLE SONGS:
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LET THERE BE LOVE — A Love Story of Joseph and Emma Smith
Book and Lyrics by Thom Duncan
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
The love story of Emma Hale and Joseph Smith is one of the great stories of any era. Devoted to each other, amid endless strife and challenges of Faith, they emerge not unscathed, but curiously strengthened.
SAMPLE SONG: KINGDOM OF THE SUN
VISIT My Zion Theatricals Musicals
LITTLE MEN — The Musical
Based on the sequel to Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women”
Book, Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
Jo and Professor Baher are set up at Plumfield, with a home and school for boys (and a girl or two). This musical is the story of the arrival of Nat and Dan from Boston. What they add to and how they affect and incite the others of the school becomes the center of the story.
Finished a SECOND DRAFT of this show (as of August 22, 2020) and have posted it on the Leicester Bay Theatricals Site
© 2020 by C. Michael Perry ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LITTLE PRINCESS: Sara Crewe, A Musical
Book, Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
A beloved children’s classic now available in a new musical treatment. Sara Crewe is a gifted and well-mannered child, and Captain Crewe, her father, is an extraordinarily wealthy man. So, Miss Minchin, mistress of Sara’s boarding school, has no choice but to treat Sara as her star pupil — a little princess. One day the message comes through that Sara’s father has died penniless in India. Miss Minchin reduces Sara to a beggar and a drudge and the other girls laugh and make fun. All except for Lottie and Ermengarde and the little scullery maid, Becky. They keep Sara going and she enthuses them. Sara is strong-willed and courageous and with the help of an Indian Gentleman, a Lascar and a large family — she survives and helps those around her to survive as well. Burnett is the same author who penned “Little Lord Fauntleroy” and “The Secret Garden;” all three stories are timeless classics with themes that inspire and uplift.
SAMPLE SONG (from the Finale Music Notation files — The Prelude to Act 2 followed by a reprise of Is The The Place?/Sara
VISIT Leicester Bay Theatricals.com
ROSE: THE MUSICAL STORY OF ROSE O’NEILL, THE KEWPIE LADY
Book by Max Golightly & Neil K. Newell
Lyrics by Max Golightly, Neil Newell and C. Michael Perry
Music by Neil K. Newell and C. Michael Perry
A FABULOUSLY TRUE STORY ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC WOMEN OF AMERICA
A challenging musical that dramatizes the life of Rose O’Neill, one of America’s most glamorous and eccentric artists and the creator of, among other things, the Kewpie Doll. Her strong family support in the midst of almost overwhelming odds is a testament to the worth and viability of the family unit. Through divorce, death and financial disaster Rose and the O’Neill family weathered the storms of life — together. It wasn’t all bad. There was joy and harmony as well as the despair, among their tribulations. Though enormously wealthy during most of their lives, the O’Neills started with nothing but each other. And they ended with nothing but each other. This is a story for all ages and times.
As if her Kewpie fame was not enough, she was the inspiration for the song, “Rose of Washington Square” (with words by Ballard MacDonald and music by James F. Hanley) which was sung by Fanny Brice in Ziegfeld’s Midnight Frolic in 1920. She was the model for the baby-talking-cartoon character of Betty Boop, and her sweet way with that same baby-talking personality gave Booth Tarkington, a close friend, the idea to immortalize Rose as a character in his novel, “Seventeen.”
She was an artist, illustrator, author and outspoken advocate for women’s rights, being the first American woman (at age 18, even) to ever illustrate for a magazine or newspaper. As a philanthropist, she nurtured new artists and writers of every kind at all of her homes in America and abroad. She was the one-of-a-kind: ROSE!
This show began life as KEWPIE! but has been revised to create, ROSE!
SAMPLE SONG: We’ll Like It Here! — The introduction of Rose to NYC, and NYC to Rose and her family. (recorded live from the workshop production)
VISIT Leicester Bay Theatricals.com
SCARLET PIMPERNEL
Book and Lyrics by Will Huddleston
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
Original Concept and Lyrics by Barry Collyer
Sir Percy Blakeney, The Scarlet Pimpernel, is the 17th Century equivalent of a modern “super hero”. This Englishman has rescued countless victims from the jaws of Madame Guillotine during the French Revolution. He has eluded the French authorities by his wits and clever disguises. A member of the French Committee for Public Safety named Chauvelin, is on his trail. He has married the most beautiful and popular woman in all France, Marguerite St. Just. But the marriage has turned sour due to unspoken confidences and Sir Percy’s need for utmost secrecy. This fine thriller takes us through the streets and countrysides of Paris and the French and English coasts on a ride of intrigue. Passion, history, mystery and comedy all set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
SAMPLE SONG: “A RESTLESS STATE” (from the Finale Music Notation file)
One production, and now re-worked for a new production.
VISIT Leicester Bay Theatricals.com
SOFIA! based on the play “The Last Baron of Arizona”
Book and Lyrics by Joanna Kraus
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
The largest land swindle in the history of the United States was perpetrated by dreamer and con-man, James Addison Reavis. His confident charm and talent in handwriting convinced lawyers, financiers, and a beautiful young woman that she was the true heiress to a Spanish Barony and was entitled to seven thousand five hundred square miles of the Arizona Territory. In this true story, although he uses the pretense of having a moral obligation to his wife, Reavis relishes his deeds throughout. The modern parallels of this story are far too numerous; about the man that almost got away with it. Of course, we seldom hear about those who did get away with it!
© 2022 by C. Michael Perry and Joanna Kraus ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
For further information and SONGS, VISIT THE SOFIA page HERE.
We had a staged reading at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California on October 15th, 2022. Moving on!
STAR OF ISRAEL – The Musical Story of Esther
Book and Lyrics by George and Gayanne King
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
A dramatic and sometimes comic musical romp through the story of Queen Esther in Babylon, during the Jewish Captivity. Three Chamberlins, drivers of the plot, set the stage and deliver the story of love, betrayal, politics and faith in an ancient world. Chosen by God, yet unsure of her own abilities, Esther learns and grows to be a savior of her people in Ancient Persia. Her power of the truth in believing eventually overpowers the self-important and godless, Haman. The Jews needed to be saved and protected and Esther was The Chosen One.
© 2020 by C. Michael Perry & Gayanne and George Ramsden ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
For further information and SONGS, please see the STAR OF ISRAEL page HERE
SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS: A MUSICAL TEMPEST
Suggested by Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”
Book, Music and Lyrics by Neil K. Newell
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
(OTHER POSSIBLE TITLES: “BRAVE NEW WORLD,” “A TEMPEST MUSICAL”)
You thought you knew “The Tempest”? Well, get ready for this version. We start before Shakespeare begins. We see Prospero and Miranda arrive. We see Ariel deposit Sycorax and Caliban on the isle. We see Ariel impaled in the ‘oak’ and we see Propsero defeat Sycorax. We then see Sycorax come to life again through the intervention of Caliban and the strangers deposited on the island by Prospero’s tempest. As in the original, goodness prevails but only after valuable lessons have been learned by all. This story now involves the conflict between Sycorax/Caliban and Prospero. It is no longer an epic fantasy but a taught, musical drama with a lively and modern score. “Don’t Just Sip The Water”, “I Looked At The Moon”, “Such Stuff As Dreams”, “That’s Love”, “Brave New World”, “Have No Pity–Rule A City”, are among the songs that fill this score with inventive music and singable lyrics.
SAMPLE SONG: (from the Finale Music Notation files — “Don’t Just Sip The Water”)
VISIT Leicester Bay Theatricals.com
IN PROCESS
POLLYANNA — musical
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
The classic tale of the quintessential always-make-the-best-of-each-situation girl, as adapted for the stage and for the Audio Drama site DRAMAFY.COM.
A Work In Progress
© 2022 by C. Michael Perry ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PINOCCHIA
A Musical about a Little Wooden Girl
BOOK and LYRICS byJUNE RACHELSON-OSPA
MUSIC and LYRICS by C. MICHAEL PERRY
SAMPLE SONGS: (5 of the 15 envisioned for this show)
PINOCCHIA wants to be a real girl in this post-apocalyptic world where her long-lost brother, Pinocchio, made it to the Big Time.
DANCING ON DADDY’S SHOES — a memory play as a daughter looks fondly back on the Daddy she lost in the war. Writing in progress.
Book and Lyrics by Sheila Rinear
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
LYRIC TO DANCING ON DADDY’S SHOES (first draft) © 2017 by C. Michael Perry
Life was the fantasy
Every little girl requires:
Pretty dresses and dances —
Just simple desires.
I followed every motion,
Like sailing on the ocean.
I felt it in my heart
The first moment I started
Dancing On Daddy’s Shoes.
Dance after dance
I was twirling all around the room
With an effortless grace, like a flower in bloom.
The faces flying by me,
While wondering just “why me?”
It’s silly to recall
I just seemed to be always
Dancing On Daddy’s Shoes
The world seemed to vanish while dancing.
New places were all so entrancing.
Every new dance was a chance for a kind of romance.
Funny how moments
Can turn the world right upside down.
And how time can erase
All the smiles with one frown.
With voices so confusing,
My vision kept refusing
The ending of the song;
Told me I was no longer
Dancing On Daddy’s Shoes.
© 2017 by C. Michael Perry ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
DIVERTIMENTO — A New Mozart Musical
Book by Elizabeth Hansen
Lyrics by Elizabeth Hansen & C. Michael Perry
Music Adapted from Mozart by C. Michael Perry
When you merge a French farce (THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE) and Mozart’s instrumental masterpieces, now rendered as Vocal music to drive the plot of a fantastically funny story, the result is a delightful operetta—or singspiel— that even Wolfgang himself had never imagined.