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Cecelia and the Blue Mountain Boy--The Play I wrote this play because the children's novel it is based on seems so perfect for a musical production. The theme of the story is the power of music. There are a few changes from the short children's novel, but basically, the play script follows the story as written. In the play, however, I bring alive rocks, trees and flowers. Location: Chester, a small Appalachian town and surrounding mountains in 1940's. The MusicI wrote all the songs, except for a few traditional Appalachian fiddle tunes which are performed during the final festival scene. I wrote hymns following the pattern of ones I used to sing, or hear sung, in small back country churches in West Virginia. Other songs are more original, expressing the feeling needed for Cecelia, or the tone of the scene. Since the Parkersburg production, I have worked more on the music score with the help of David Boyer, a musician who has directed several musical plays. He has memories of roaming the hills of his own very real "Blue Mountain" country, Cast of CharactersIn order of appearance Four Old Men................Residents of Chester Mr. Humphrey................A widower who lives in Chester Laura.......................Mr. Humphrey's 12-year-old daughter Shirley.....................Humphrey's 14-year-old daughter Mrs. Wood...................Resident of Chester Townspeople.................About 4 other residents of Chester Cecelia.....................Mr. Humphrey's youngest daughter (about 10) Preacher Dawson.............A local minister Small boys and girls........3 or 4 children of Chester A mother....................Resident of Chester Rocks, Trees and Flowers ...Represented by about 5 actors Woman Who Digs Potatoes.....Woman who lives on Blue Mountain The Blue Mountain Boy.......A fiddler who lives on Blue Mountain Mrs. Dawson.................A piano teacher John Morgan.................An old fiddler Man with an instrument......A festival participant Woman with an instrument....A festival participant Davy Mullins................A young fiddler from Chester Musicians...................Music festival participants Nathan Beard................A friend of Mr. Humphrey Master of Ceremonies........MC for Music Festival Molly Kinkaid...............Young fiddler Jimmy Simpson ..............Young fiddler Barbershop Quartet members..(Including Mr. Humphrey and Nathan Beard) |
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PRODUCTIONSThe Parkersburg, WV Actor's Guild gave the premiere production of Cecelia in February, 1997, as part of their renewed Guild Builders Program. The play was presented in a beautifully restored old theater in the city. 50 children from the area took part in the production as stage hands, working on costumes, helping build the set, helping with publicity and as actors and assistant stage managers. It was a gorgeous, lively production performed twice one weekend for the enjoyment of the community. It was sponsored by the Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital. From Book Reviews"Cecelia runs away from her gloomy Appalachian town to find a place where people love to dance and make music as much as she does. What she finds is magical Blue Mountain and a fiddler boy. This beautiful, romantic fantasy has an eternal feel to it that places it outside of time...an attractive book which can be enjoyed by people of all ages who love music and gentle fantasy. - School Library Journal "There are echoes of fairy tale themes here - the quest for the impossible - enchantment. Washington Post Book Review "This beautifully written story causes that indefinable lifting of the heart that, once felt, inspires all readers to continue to read." Parents' Choice Review of Children's Literature Are you interested in producing Cecelia and the Blue Mountain Boy?Write Ellen H. Showell, 7452 Spring Village Dr., Apt. 214, Springfield, VA 22150 |
