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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
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Saturday, September 6, 2008
Hobo Signs
"Beginning in the 1880's up until World War Two, hoboes placed markings on fences, posts, sidewalks, buildings, trestles, bridge abutments, and railroad line side equipment to aid them and others of their kind in finding help or steering them clear of trouble. Usually, these signs would be written in chalk or coal letting others know what they could expect in the area of the symbol. The classic American hobo of the late 19th and early 20th centuries communicated through a basic system of markings, a code though which they gave information and warnings to their fellow Knights of the Road."
Friday, September 5, 2008
Libretto: 1.4a
Act 1. 4 --- entrance of the boys
Top: Do you suppose they’re making food in there? Don’t know if I’d recognize food even if I smelled it. Ah… if I close my eyes, I can almost small my ex-wife’s stew a-boilin’ away. Damn my wife and damn my belly for bein hungry!
Martin: the day’s a-goin’; our money’s gone. Look at those fields. There’s a harvest that’s waitin’ to be gathered in.
Top: always work, work! I’d rather eat and after eating work at lovin’.
Martin: I’ve seen you work to eat. You’re not as shiftless as you talk. Least ways where your belly’s concerned.
Top: Yeah? All I know it’s easier to my nature bein’ shiftless. It’s hard bein’ other ways. That time I was in jail…Ha! That was a life! Eatin’ and doin’ nothin’ … ‘cept for missin’ the air outside. Damn my belly for bein’ hungry! Might’s well try to work here as anywhere else.
Martin: It won’ t be so bad for a few days. A sleep, a soft sound sleep, and then harvest in we’ll shove off on our way again.
T: Hey, Martin, someone’s over there, behind the porch.
M: That someone’s wearin’ a gingham skirt. Hello! Miss? Madam? Miss! Do you live here?
L: Yes.
M: Your menfolk home?
L: No.
T: Will they be home soon?
L: Yes. Just why are you laughing?
M: We thought a cat had your tongue.
L: Well you’re strangers aren’t you?
Both: Yes.
L: we don’t see many strangers ‘round here. Grandpa doesn’t like me to talk to strangers. He says to be skeptical.
M: Well, are you skeptical now?
L: Yes.
M: Then you ‘ve done right by your grandpa. I’m Martin; this here’s Top. We’re not strangers to you now, so you don’t have to be skeptical anymore.
L: I guess you’re right.
M: but now we’re skeptical. You know our names, we don’t know yours.
L: Mine’s Laurie. Laurie Moss.
Both: Howdy, Laurie! Miss Laurie Moss!
L: Where are you from? Where are you going?
Both: We’ve been north, We’ve been south. We’re going east, we’re going west. We’ve been here, we’ve been there. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’. We’re from the big north, the great sprawling cities, the harbor ports with their big ships sailing in and out. We’re going west where the sun is winter warm, where the air is clear and mountains are high and the pine trees hum. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’. We’re from the wide south, the grassy plains, the lazy towns with their low rolling valleys and sleepy sun. We’re going east where the life is sharp and fast, where the smoke curls and the snow swirls and Bessemers blast. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’. We’ve been north, We’ve been south. We’re going east, we’re going west. We’ve been here, we’ve been there. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’.
Martin: We’ve been everywhere.
T: Would you like to go there?
M: We’ll roll out a magic carpet and whisk you away.
L: You’re making fun of me. I don’t mind ‘cause someday I will see those places.
Grandpa: Halooo..
T: Who’s that?
L: Grandpa’s coming home. Be polite to him. He’s not used to strangers.
Top: Do you suppose they’re making food in there? Don’t know if I’d recognize food even if I smelled it. Ah… if I close my eyes, I can almost small my ex-wife’s stew a-boilin’ away. Damn my wife and damn my belly for bein hungry!
Martin: the day’s a-goin’; our money’s gone. Look at those fields. There’s a harvest that’s waitin’ to be gathered in.
Top: always work, work! I’d rather eat and after eating work at lovin’.
Martin: I’ve seen you work to eat. You’re not as shiftless as you talk. Least ways where your belly’s concerned.
Top: Yeah? All I know it’s easier to my nature bein’ shiftless. It’s hard bein’ other ways. That time I was in jail…Ha! That was a life! Eatin’ and doin’ nothin’ … ‘cept for missin’ the air outside. Damn my belly for bein’ hungry! Might’s well try to work here as anywhere else.
Martin: It won’ t be so bad for a few days. A sleep, a soft sound sleep, and then harvest in we’ll shove off on our way again.
T: Hey, Martin, someone’s over there, behind the porch.
M: That someone’s wearin’ a gingham skirt. Hello! Miss? Madam? Miss! Do you live here?
L: Yes.
M: Your menfolk home?
L: No.
T: Will they be home soon?
L: Yes. Just why are you laughing?
M: We thought a cat had your tongue.
L: Well you’re strangers aren’t you?
Both: Yes.
L: we don’t see many strangers ‘round here. Grandpa doesn’t like me to talk to strangers. He says to be skeptical.
M: Well, are you skeptical now?
L: Yes.
M: Then you ‘ve done right by your grandpa. I’m Martin; this here’s Top. We’re not strangers to you now, so you don’t have to be skeptical anymore.
L: I guess you’re right.
M: but now we’re skeptical. You know our names, we don’t know yours.
L: Mine’s Laurie. Laurie Moss.
Both: Howdy, Laurie! Miss Laurie Moss!
L: Where are you from? Where are you going?
Both: We’ve been north, We’ve been south. We’re going east, we’re going west. We’ve been here, we’ve been there. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’. We’re from the big north, the great sprawling cities, the harbor ports with their big ships sailing in and out. We’re going west where the sun is winter warm, where the air is clear and mountains are high and the pine trees hum. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’. We’re from the wide south, the grassy plains, the lazy towns with their low rolling valleys and sleepy sun. We’re going east where the life is sharp and fast, where the smoke curls and the snow swirls and Bessemers blast. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’. We’ve been north, We’ve been south. We’re going east, we’re going west. We’ve been here, we’ve been there. That’s where we’ve been and that’s where we’re goin’.
Martin: We’ve been everywhere.
T: Would you like to go there?
M: We’ll roll out a magic carpet and whisk you away.
L: You’re making fun of me. I don’t mind ‘cause someday I will see those places.
Grandpa: Halooo..
T: Who’s that?
L: Grandpa’s coming home. Be polite to him. He’s not used to strangers.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Libretto: 1.3
Act 1.3
Laurie: Once I thought I’d never grow tall as this fence. Time dragged heavy and slow. But April came and August went before I knew just what they meant, and little by little I grew. And as I grew I came to know how fast the time could go. Once I thought I’d never go outside this fence. This space was plenty for me. But I walked down the road one day and just happened I can’t say, but little by little it came to be, that line between the earth and sky came beckoning to me. Now the time has grown short; the world has grown so wide. I’ll be graduated soon. Why am I strange inside? What makes me think I’d like to try to go down all those roads beyond that line above the earth and ‘neath the sky? Tomorrow when I sit upon the graduation platform stand, I know my hand will shake when I reach out to take that paper with the ribboned band. Now that all the learning’s done, o who knows what will now begin? O it’s so strange…. I’m strange inside. The time has grown so short, the world so wide.
Ma: That you, Laurie? Why are you so late? Grandpa’s almost home. You know how mad he gets when you’re not home on time.
Laurie: Please mother, it was such a summer afternoon.
Ma: You’ve been getting very dreamy lately. There’s better use for your time than dreaming it away.
Laurie: But sometimes, don’t you ever wish that you could get away, that you could leave us all behind for just a summer’s day?
Ma: You’re just as bad as Beth.
Laurie: For just a summer’s day?
Ma: Just don’t let Grandpa catch you dawdling ‘long the road.
Laurie: I don’t care what Grandpa thinks anymore.
Ma: For shame, Laurie! He’s done so much to see you through school.
Laurie: I know all he’s done and all you’ve done too. But both of you make such a fuss.
Ma; If only I’d had the chances you’ve had…
Laurie: Grandpa loves me, but he doesn’t understand. He treats me as if I was still a little girl, like I didn’t have a life of my own.
Ma: He loves you so.
Laurie: Remember the boy that used to call, that worked at the store in town? The boy that meant so much to me, that might have been my own? Ma, I might have learned to love him. I hoped and prayed that Grandpa could learn see the things that meant so much to me. But when I showed my heart that day, he turned and sent the boy away. O I was so ashamed!
Ma: But Laurie, that happened months ago. Did it mean so much? Grandpa couldn’t know.
Laurie: I’ll never forgive him!
Ma: Forgive him. He’s old. You’re all that he has. Be kind to him. After tomorrow you’ll have your own life. I promise.
Laurie: As long as I live here, I’ll never have my own life, no matter what you promise.
Ma: I’ll see to it myself.
Laurie: You couldn’t get him to see.
Ma; I’ll talk to him.
Laurie: He wouldn’t understand you.
Ma; Why do you say that when I’ve promised?
Laurie: I know you’ll keep your promise, but you couldn’t make him understand what you yourself don’t understand.
Ma: but I do! I do!
Laurie: No you don’t! how could you when you’ve never had your own life!
(Ma slaps her)
Ma: I’m sorry… sorry. Please, Laurie, don’t upset your Grandpa tonight. Be ours for just tonight and tomorrow. Promise me. Won’t you, Laurie?
Laurie: I promise, I promise…. I want to do right.
Laurie: Once I thought I’d never grow tall as this fence. Time dragged heavy and slow. But April came and August went before I knew just what they meant, and little by little I grew. And as I grew I came to know how fast the time could go. Once I thought I’d never go outside this fence. This space was plenty for me. But I walked down the road one day and just happened I can’t say, but little by little it came to be, that line between the earth and sky came beckoning to me. Now the time has grown short; the world has grown so wide. I’ll be graduated soon. Why am I strange inside? What makes me think I’d like to try to go down all those roads beyond that line above the earth and ‘neath the sky? Tomorrow when I sit upon the graduation platform stand, I know my hand will shake when I reach out to take that paper with the ribboned band. Now that all the learning’s done, o who knows what will now begin? O it’s so strange…. I’m strange inside. The time has grown so short, the world so wide.
Ma: That you, Laurie? Why are you so late? Grandpa’s almost home. You know how mad he gets when you’re not home on time.
Laurie: Please mother, it was such a summer afternoon.
Ma: You’ve been getting very dreamy lately. There’s better use for your time than dreaming it away.
Laurie: But sometimes, don’t you ever wish that you could get away, that you could leave us all behind for just a summer’s day?
Ma: You’re just as bad as Beth.
Laurie: For just a summer’s day?
Ma: Just don’t let Grandpa catch you dawdling ‘long the road.
Laurie: I don’t care what Grandpa thinks anymore.
Ma: For shame, Laurie! He’s done so much to see you through school.
Laurie: I know all he’s done and all you’ve done too. But both of you make such a fuss.
Ma; If only I’d had the chances you’ve had…
Laurie: Grandpa loves me, but he doesn’t understand. He treats me as if I was still a little girl, like I didn’t have a life of my own.
Ma: He loves you so.
Laurie: Remember the boy that used to call, that worked at the store in town? The boy that meant so much to me, that might have been my own? Ma, I might have learned to love him. I hoped and prayed that Grandpa could learn see the things that meant so much to me. But when I showed my heart that day, he turned and sent the boy away. O I was so ashamed!
Ma: But Laurie, that happened months ago. Did it mean so much? Grandpa couldn’t know.
Laurie: I’ll never forgive him!
Ma: Forgive him. He’s old. You’re all that he has. Be kind to him. After tomorrow you’ll have your own life. I promise.
Laurie: As long as I live here, I’ll never have my own life, no matter what you promise.
Ma: I’ll see to it myself.
Laurie: You couldn’t get him to see.
Ma; I’ll talk to him.
Laurie: He wouldn’t understand you.
Ma; Why do you say that when I’ve promised?
Laurie: I know you’ll keep your promise, but you couldn’t make him understand what you yourself don’t understand.
Ma: but I do! I do!
Laurie: No you don’t! how could you when you’ve never had your own life!
(Ma slaps her)
Ma: I’m sorry… sorry. Please, Laurie, don’t upset your Grandpa tonight. Be ours for just tonight and tomorrow. Promise me. Won’t you, Laurie?
Laurie: I promise, I promise…. I want to do right.
Libretto: 1.2
Act 1.2 --- front porch
Beth: Open it quick, mama! I can’t wait!
Ma: Up on the porch. We mustn’t get it in the dirt. We mustn’t hurt it.
Beth: Hurry! Will I ever grow up and graduate? Will I have a graduation dress?
Beth: … it’s pretty.
Ma: It is pretty. Girls are made for such dresses. Once I had slender arms and could have worn it.
Beth: Did you ever have a dress like this?
Ma: Like this… like this… This is like the dress I never had. The pretty velvet bows… O heaven knows how much I’ve missed. The years have gone so fast, and now my own sweet child will wear the dress that yesterday I might have worn; It seems as if she just was born. Where all the years have gone, I’ll never know. My own sweet child, my own sweet child, her face is like my mirror long ago. Goodness, it’s getting late. Laurie will be getting home soon. Grandpa will be coming in. We have work to do. Have you forgotten the party?
Beth: I couldn’t forget the party. Can Daniel come? Can he?
Ma: Silly silly. Of course he can come, if he combs his hair..
Beth: … if he combs his hair…
Ma: if he washes his face..
Beth: … if he washes his face ….
Ma: If he shines his shoes...
Beth: … If he shines his shoes…
Ma: If he puts on a clean shirt.
Beth: … If he puts on a clean shirt …
Ma: Silly silly! We’ve work to do! Go tell the Jenks about the party, tell’em it’s tonight. We’re expecting them to come. We’re going to celebrate. Hurry up, It’s getting late. Go tell the Jenks about the party, then hurry right back… right back. O how pretty Laurie will look tonight.
Beth: come on Daniel, let’s go!
Beth: Open it quick, mama! I can’t wait!
Ma: Up on the porch. We mustn’t get it in the dirt. We mustn’t hurt it.
Beth: Hurry! Will I ever grow up and graduate? Will I have a graduation dress?
Beth: … it’s pretty.
Ma: It is pretty. Girls are made for such dresses. Once I had slender arms and could have worn it.
Beth: Did you ever have a dress like this?
Ma: Like this… like this… This is like the dress I never had. The pretty velvet bows… O heaven knows how much I’ve missed. The years have gone so fast, and now my own sweet child will wear the dress that yesterday I might have worn; It seems as if she just was born. Where all the years have gone, I’ll never know. My own sweet child, my own sweet child, her face is like my mirror long ago. Goodness, it’s getting late. Laurie will be getting home soon. Grandpa will be coming in. We have work to do. Have you forgotten the party?
Beth: I couldn’t forget the party. Can Daniel come? Can he?
Ma: Silly silly. Of course he can come, if he combs his hair..
Beth: … if he combs his hair…
Ma: if he washes his face..
Beth: … if he washes his face ….
Ma: If he shines his shoes...
Beth: … If he shines his shoes…
Ma: If he puts on a clean shirt.
Beth: … If he puts on a clean shirt …
Ma: Silly silly! We’ve work to do! Go tell the Jenks about the party, tell’em it’s tonight. We’re expecting them to come. We’re going to celebrate. Hurry up, It’s getting late. Go tell the Jenks about the party, then hurry right back… right back. O how pretty Laurie will look tonight.
Beth: come on Daniel, let’s go!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Set: Lion King
The Lion King (Julie Taymor production)
Nice: I enjoy the see-thru painted scrim effect here.
Nice: I enjoy the see-thru painted scrim effect here. 
Nice: Raked stage, with separate playing area behind it. Rising unit
Libretto: 1.1
Act 1.1 --The Moss home
Beth (spoken to her doll): When I grow up will you take to live in a big house? With a big lawn? I’d like a fountain and a pool. A pool with lots of carrot-fish. I’d like that, Daniel. We’ll sit in a big swing, like’s in the order catalog, and swing and swing and swing….
Ma: Two little bits of metal, my needle and my thimble, a woman has to sew her family’s clothes against the cold cold weather. Two larger bits of metal, my woodstove and my kettle, a woman has to stew her family’s food against the cold cold weather.
Beth (sp): I’ll race you to the porch. Look Danny… did you ever see such green grass? Such cool water? Mama, the postman! There’s dust way off on the road. It’s Mr. Splinters’ old car. I’m sure I can see it. Will he bring Laurie’s dress? Will he?
Ma: easy now, Beth. Easy. Maybe it’s only the wind blowin the dust.
B: O no, it is his car. Danny, look at the steam. It’s boilin like an old tea kettle. Mother, look and see!
Ma: Yes, it is Mister Splinters! Go see if he’s bringing us something. For as two girls are growing, are feeling and are knowing, one cannot always bear a daughter’s cares. For when the child grows older, and when the wind blows colder, a woman sometimes knows that doors won’t close against the cold cold weather.
B: the package from Chicago… it’s here! It’s Laurie’s dress that’s come.
Mr Splinters: good-day Missus Moss. Here’s that box you’ve been pesterin me for for so long. These catalog order used to come quicker: the post was fast twenty year ago… or so it seemed when I was younger. Maybe it’s me that’s getting slow.
B: Let’s open it mom! Can we open it?
Ma: go slow a minute, Beth. We’re having a little party tonight for Laurie’s graduation tomorrow. Could you and missus Splinters come? And ‘course bring your fiddle!
B: And bring your fiddle too!
Mr sp: I’ll bring my wife and I’ll bring my fiddle too. What two things more could a fellow what to bring to an eatin party? And we’ll dance, won’t we Beth? Funny to think of Laurie all grown up and graduatin. Why she was no bigger’n Beth here a year or two ago…
M: No, no bigger’n Beth here… year or two ago..
Mr Sp: Got to be getting off, Missus Moss. Got to deliver a letter to Missus Gray. Did you hear the news? About what happened to Missus Gray’s girl last night? Seems she met with a feller in the fields. A strange feller here abouts they say. Poor girl’s shook up for a spell. She got an awful fright.
Ma: Heaven help us! Beth go see if the kettle’s boilin over. Did they catch him?
Mr Sp: Nope, but they will. Sheriff’s got a gang out lookin for ‘em. There’s s’posed to be two of ‘em travelin’ together. Wouldn’t be surprised if they turned out to be the ones that set on Jessie Kane two month ago.
M: I heard about that.
Mr Sp: Poor kid. Gonna have a young ‘un they say.
Ma: Bums, driftin’ bums. Can’t they let peaceful folk be? If that ever happened to Laurie, and Granpa Moss found out, it’s terrible to think what he’d do.
Mr Sp: That kind of thinkin’ don’t bring no good, Missus Moss. Be seein’ you tonight.
Ma: Yes, tonight, don’t forget….We’re all so proud; so make the music nice and loud.
Beth: Don’t forget! And bring your fiddle too!
Mr. Sp: I won’t forget!
Beth (spoken to her doll): When I grow up will you take to live in a big house? With a big lawn? I’d like a fountain and a pool. A pool with lots of carrot-fish. I’d like that, Daniel. We’ll sit in a big swing, like’s in the order catalog, and swing and swing and swing….
Ma: Two little bits of metal, my needle and my thimble, a woman has to sew her family’s clothes against the cold cold weather. Two larger bits of metal, my woodstove and my kettle, a woman has to stew her family’s food against the cold cold weather.
Beth (sp): I’ll race you to the porch. Look Danny… did you ever see such green grass? Such cool water? Mama, the postman! There’s dust way off on the road. It’s Mr. Splinters’ old car. I’m sure I can see it. Will he bring Laurie’s dress? Will he?
Ma: easy now, Beth. Easy. Maybe it’s only the wind blowin the dust.
B: O no, it is his car. Danny, look at the steam. It’s boilin like an old tea kettle. Mother, look and see!
Ma: Yes, it is Mister Splinters! Go see if he’s bringing us something. For as two girls are growing, are feeling and are knowing, one cannot always bear a daughter’s cares. For when the child grows older, and when the wind blows colder, a woman sometimes knows that doors won’t close against the cold cold weather.
B: the package from Chicago… it’s here! It’s Laurie’s dress that’s come.
Mr Splinters: good-day Missus Moss. Here’s that box you’ve been pesterin me for for so long. These catalog order used to come quicker: the post was fast twenty year ago… or so it seemed when I was younger. Maybe it’s me that’s getting slow.
B: Let’s open it mom! Can we open it?
Ma: go slow a minute, Beth. We’re having a little party tonight for Laurie’s graduation tomorrow. Could you and missus Splinters come? And ‘course bring your fiddle!
B: And bring your fiddle too!
Mr sp: I’ll bring my wife and I’ll bring my fiddle too. What two things more could a fellow what to bring to an eatin party? And we’ll dance, won’t we Beth? Funny to think of Laurie all grown up and graduatin. Why she was no bigger’n Beth here a year or two ago…
M: No, no bigger’n Beth here… year or two ago..
Mr Sp: Got to be getting off, Missus Moss. Got to deliver a letter to Missus Gray. Did you hear the news? About what happened to Missus Gray’s girl last night? Seems she met with a feller in the fields. A strange feller here abouts they say. Poor girl’s shook up for a spell. She got an awful fright.
Ma: Heaven help us! Beth go see if the kettle’s boilin over. Did they catch him?
Mr Sp: Nope, but they will. Sheriff’s got a gang out lookin for ‘em. There’s s’posed to be two of ‘em travelin’ together. Wouldn’t be surprised if they turned out to be the ones that set on Jessie Kane two month ago.
M: I heard about that.
Mr Sp: Poor kid. Gonna have a young ‘un they say.
Ma: Bums, driftin’ bums. Can’t they let peaceful folk be? If that ever happened to Laurie, and Granpa Moss found out, it’s terrible to think what he’d do.
Mr Sp: That kind of thinkin’ don’t bring no good, Missus Moss. Be seein’ you tonight.
Ma: Yes, tonight, don’t forget….We’re all so proud; so make the music nice and loud.
Beth: Don’t forget! And bring your fiddle too!
Mr. Sp: I won’t forget!
Set: Butterfly
Madama Butterfly (Uzan Production)Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Libretto: 2.3
Act 2.3 Party & Duet
Martin: o there you are, missus moss. I wanted to have a dance with you.
Grandpa: where’s Splinters, where is he? I wanted him to tell one o those tales he tells.
Top: if it’s stories you want, I know a few myself.
Grandpa: well go ahead then… go ahead.
Top: o, I was going a courtin and I knew just where to go, just down yonder, just down below. The old folks gone and the children all at home, and the girls all mad with their hair not combed, and the girls all mad with their hair not combed. When the supper comes on and they asked me to eat, they called on me to carve up the meat, one old knife, and one old fork, I sawed about an hour and I couldn’t make a mark, yes I sawed about an hour and I couldn’t make a mark. One of the girls said: “wait mister, wait,” I can just kept a-sawin till I got it on the plate. Just kept a sawin till I got it on the floor, then up with my foot and I kicked it out the door, yes up with my foot and I kicked it out the door. In come the old man with a double barreled gun. One of the girls says “run mister run!” but I stood my ground just as brave as any bear, and I tangled my fingers in the old man’s hair, yes I tangled my fingers in the old man’s hair.
Grandpa: that story true? … that really happen?
Top: If you want to go a courtin, I’ll tell you how to dress, one old coat, and that’ll be the best…dum dum dumm… and the girls all mad with their hair not combed.
Mrs. Splinters: c’mon Grandpapa, let’s you and me show these young folk what dancin’s made of.
Top: why’s missus moss actin so odd like? Why did she look that way?
Martin: you notice it now?
Top; her eyes got a knowin look in em like once that judge looked.
Laurie: lift your feet Grandpapa!
Top: maybe he needs another drink o wine!
Grandpa: we’ll take a cup of this sweet wine and dance around the room..
Mrs. Sp: wheee! That’s enough for us, lord help us! I guess I ain’t so young.
___
Martin: You dance real well!
Laurie: Mother taught me. Once, all her steps were like dancing.
Martin: Like yours are now?
Laurie: Do they dance way off and end off dancing? Isn’t there a place where dancing never stops?
Martin: It always stops.
Laurie: I want to find it, if there is a such a place.
Martin: the world seems still tonight. (kisses her)
Laurie: O Martin, I should say something.
Martin: Quiet, quiet. Tomorrow you’ll be graduated, and like your Ma says, you won’t be nervous anymore. Laurie, you know, Laurie, I’m getting tired of travelin through. My shoes are wearing thin. I’m getting tired of wand’rin, wand’rin, not caring where I’ve been. I want to stay in a place for a while and see a seedling grow. I want to come to know special skies, special rain and snow. A man must take a handful of earth and work it for his own, a handful of earth and handful of seed, but how can he do it alone? I’d like to have a wife for a while, I’d like to take her hand, and holding tight, know it was strong to lift our heads and sing our song, and when the day’s end came along to walk out on the land, to walk out on the land. I want you, are you with me? Take my hand. O Laurie, are you ready for settlin’ in with me? Do you feel in love the way I do?
Laurie: in love? In love? Yes, yes, I do love you. You came made me feel in love. I feel so many many things Martin. Tomorrow after graduation perhaps I’ll know.
Martin: Laurie, I’ll be goin soon.
Laurie: Don’t talk of that, Martin. O please, I don’t want you to go. Harvest is through so quickly.
Martin: I’ll stop here till harvest’s done, if you love me then this is where I’ll stay.
Laurie: Martin, yes, I want you, I need you. I love you. I love you, I do.
Martin: I love you, I’ll stay.
Martin: The plains so green…
Laurie: …The tender land
M; where we begin…
L: …to understand.
M: We’ll take the dreams…
L: …we’ve dreamed apart…
M: .. . and we will plant them in each other’s heart.
L: The fields of love…
M: … the tender grain,
L: We’ll gather in…
M: … from autumn rain.
L: We’ll reap the tears…
M: …we’ve wept apart…
L:…. And gather in each other’s heart.
Both: I love you, I love you, I do.
Martin: o there you are, missus moss. I wanted to have a dance with you.
Grandpa: where’s Splinters, where is he? I wanted him to tell one o those tales he tells.
Top: if it’s stories you want, I know a few myself.
Grandpa: well go ahead then… go ahead.
Top: o, I was going a courtin and I knew just where to go, just down yonder, just down below. The old folks gone and the children all at home, and the girls all mad with their hair not combed, and the girls all mad with their hair not combed. When the supper comes on and they asked me to eat, they called on me to carve up the meat, one old knife, and one old fork, I sawed about an hour and I couldn’t make a mark, yes I sawed about an hour and I couldn’t make a mark. One of the girls said: “wait mister, wait,” I can just kept a-sawin till I got it on the plate. Just kept a sawin till I got it on the floor, then up with my foot and I kicked it out the door, yes up with my foot and I kicked it out the door. In come the old man with a double barreled gun. One of the girls says “run mister run!” but I stood my ground just as brave as any bear, and I tangled my fingers in the old man’s hair, yes I tangled my fingers in the old man’s hair.
Grandpa: that story true? … that really happen?
Top: If you want to go a courtin, I’ll tell you how to dress, one old coat, and that’ll be the best…dum dum dumm… and the girls all mad with their hair not combed.
Mrs. Splinters: c’mon Grandpapa, let’s you and me show these young folk what dancin’s made of.
Top: why’s missus moss actin so odd like? Why did she look that way?
Martin: you notice it now?
Top; her eyes got a knowin look in em like once that judge looked.
Laurie: lift your feet Grandpapa!
Top: maybe he needs another drink o wine!
Grandpa: we’ll take a cup of this sweet wine and dance around the room..
Mrs. Sp: wheee! That’s enough for us, lord help us! I guess I ain’t so young.
___
Martin: You dance real well!
Laurie: Mother taught me. Once, all her steps were like dancing.
Martin: Like yours are now?
Laurie: Do they dance way off and end off dancing? Isn’t there a place where dancing never stops?
Martin: It always stops.
Laurie: I want to find it, if there is a such a place.
Martin: the world seems still tonight. (kisses her)
Laurie: O Martin, I should say something.
Martin: Quiet, quiet. Tomorrow you’ll be graduated, and like your Ma says, you won’t be nervous anymore. Laurie, you know, Laurie, I’m getting tired of travelin through. My shoes are wearing thin. I’m getting tired of wand’rin, wand’rin, not caring where I’ve been. I want to stay in a place for a while and see a seedling grow. I want to come to know special skies, special rain and snow. A man must take a handful of earth and work it for his own, a handful of earth and handful of seed, but how can he do it alone? I’d like to have a wife for a while, I’d like to take her hand, and holding tight, know it was strong to lift our heads and sing our song, and when the day’s end came along to walk out on the land, to walk out on the land. I want you, are you with me? Take my hand. O Laurie, are you ready for settlin’ in with me? Do you feel in love the way I do?
Laurie: in love? In love? Yes, yes, I do love you. You came made me feel in love. I feel so many many things Martin. Tomorrow after graduation perhaps I’ll know.
Martin: Laurie, I’ll be goin soon.
Laurie: Don’t talk of that, Martin. O please, I don’t want you to go. Harvest is through so quickly.
Martin: I’ll stop here till harvest’s done, if you love me then this is where I’ll stay.
Laurie: Martin, yes, I want you, I need you. I love you. I love you, I do.
Martin: I love you, I’ll stay.
Martin: The plains so green…
Laurie: …The tender land
M; where we begin…
L: …to understand.
M: We’ll take the dreams…
L: …we’ve dreamed apart…
M: .. . and we will plant them in each other’s heart.
L: The fields of love…
M: … the tender grain,
L: We’ll gather in…
M: … from autumn rain.
L: We’ll reap the tears…
M: …we’ve wept apart…
L:…. And gather in each other’s heart.
Both: I love you, I love you, I do.
Libretto: 2.1, 2.2
Act 2.1 -- Graduation Party
Top: Not for me, missus Moss, I’ve already had three helpings.
Mrs. Jenks: Did you see him put that food away? He must have hid it somewhere.
T: Where I hid it you’ll never find it.
Mrs J: how many boardin houses have gone bankrupt cause of you two?
T: let’s see… one, two, three, four…
Martin: five boardin houses… and two jails!
All: tall tales, tall tales!
Grandpa: try makin peace with some of my wine. Finest wine anywhere, berry wine.
Mr Jenks: Let’s drink to a good spring harvest!
Grandpa: Here now Mr. Jenks, Harvests come and go. Some are good, others not so good, but they come and go like spring and winter weather. Girls come and go. Some are good others not so good. They come and go too like spring and winter weather. But there’s one that’s a good one, and she is nice as spring and clean as winter. The first of our whole family that’s ever graduated, and that’s what I’m drinkin to tonight, Mr. Jenks.
All: Laurie, Laurie, Laurie Moss!
Laurie: Thank you, thank you all. This whole year it seemed the endpoint of my life was graduation. That was what my ma and Grandpa had dreamed of, what I had dreamed of. What came after? None could tell me, no one knew for sure. But it’s queer, this moment of my life, this celebration, the moment each of us has watched for, and dreamed of , it passes by so quickly. The closer tomorrow comes, the more we wonder what day after tomorrow will be the closer I feel to our land, the more I wonder what those other land s are like. The more I want to wear this dress, the more it doesn’t seem to be a part of me. Maybe I say it all wrong. I’m not sure what I say. But anyway, thank you, thank you all.
Gran: ah Laurie, you are a puzzle, but such a pretty puzzle to your old Grandpapa.
Ma: she’s just nervous Pa.
Grandpa: Never disappoint me, will you Laurie?
Laurie: I’ll try not Grandpa.
Ma: We’ve been at this table long enough. I’ll wager not one of you has got the hustle left to show us what dancing is.
Top: Dancin’s not my line, but we’ll show you what drinkin is, won’t we Mister Moss? (to martin) Remember what I told you. You have a dance while I start with the ole man, then you take him over. Gee, she’s a pretty thing.
Martin: Take it easy, top. Don’t lose us our jobs. She is a pretty thing.
(Dance music begins)
1st Man/All: Stomp your foot up on the floor. Throw the windows open , take a breath of fresh June air, and dance around the room. The air is free, the night is warm, the music’s here, and here’s my home. Men must labour to be happy, ploughing fields and planting rows. But ladies love a life that’s easy: churning butter, milking cows, gathering eggs, feeding sows. Mending, cooking, cleaning, ironing, raising families. Ladies love their fine amusement, putting patches on a quilt, but men prefer to bend their shoulder to something that will stand when built. Dancing ladies, making matches, playing games, singing snatches. Romping frisking, winking, whistling, raising families. Stomp your foot up on the floor. Throw the windows open , take a breath of fresh June air, and dance around the room. The air is free, the night is warm, the music’s here, and here’s my home.
ACT 2.2
Ma: Mr. Splinters, you may think I’m crazy, but I have a funny feelin. Come with me a minute.
Mr. Splinters: how’s that Missus Moss?
Ma: a funny feelin, something strange is going on. Them two men you talked about before, then these two men show up like this so soon…have you ever seen them round here before?
Mr. Sp: Not me. Why Missus Moss, you really thing so?
Ma; I have a feelin. Things they said. Things I heard. The sheriff could clear up my mind.
Mr. Sp: won’t hurt for me to bring the sheriff round for a few questions. I’ll go right now. You rest easy. …… might be… might be….
Ma: drive fast, Mr Splinters, so they won’t have time to miss you! So nice they seem, yet I feel it is them. The chances that we take, have I the right to make an accusation just on feeling? I hope I’m wrong.
Top: Not for me, missus Moss, I’ve already had three helpings.
Mrs. Jenks: Did you see him put that food away? He must have hid it somewhere.
T: Where I hid it you’ll never find it.
Mrs J: how many boardin houses have gone bankrupt cause of you two?
T: let’s see… one, two, three, four…
Martin: five boardin houses… and two jails!
All: tall tales, tall tales!
Grandpa: try makin peace with some of my wine. Finest wine anywhere, berry wine.
Mr Jenks: Let’s drink to a good spring harvest!
Grandpa: Here now Mr. Jenks, Harvests come and go. Some are good, others not so good, but they come and go like spring and winter weather. Girls come and go. Some are good others not so good. They come and go too like spring and winter weather. But there’s one that’s a good one, and she is nice as spring and clean as winter. The first of our whole family that’s ever graduated, and that’s what I’m drinkin to tonight, Mr. Jenks.
All: Laurie, Laurie, Laurie Moss!
Laurie: Thank you, thank you all. This whole year it seemed the endpoint of my life was graduation. That was what my ma and Grandpa had dreamed of, what I had dreamed of. What came after? None could tell me, no one knew for sure. But it’s queer, this moment of my life, this celebration, the moment each of us has watched for, and dreamed of , it passes by so quickly. The closer tomorrow comes, the more we wonder what day after tomorrow will be the closer I feel to our land, the more I wonder what those other land s are like. The more I want to wear this dress, the more it doesn’t seem to be a part of me. Maybe I say it all wrong. I’m not sure what I say. But anyway, thank you, thank you all.
Gran: ah Laurie, you are a puzzle, but such a pretty puzzle to your old Grandpapa.
Ma: she’s just nervous Pa.
Grandpa: Never disappoint me, will you Laurie?
Laurie: I’ll try not Grandpa.
Ma: We’ve been at this table long enough. I’ll wager not one of you has got the hustle left to show us what dancing is.
Top: Dancin’s not my line, but we’ll show you what drinkin is, won’t we Mister Moss? (to martin) Remember what I told you. You have a dance while I start with the ole man, then you take him over. Gee, she’s a pretty thing.
Martin: Take it easy, top. Don’t lose us our jobs. She is a pretty thing.
(Dance music begins)
1st Man/All: Stomp your foot up on the floor. Throw the windows open , take a breath of fresh June air, and dance around the room. The air is free, the night is warm, the music’s here, and here’s my home. Men must labour to be happy, ploughing fields and planting rows. But ladies love a life that’s easy: churning butter, milking cows, gathering eggs, feeding sows. Mending, cooking, cleaning, ironing, raising families. Ladies love their fine amusement, putting patches on a quilt, but men prefer to bend their shoulder to something that will stand when built. Dancing ladies, making matches, playing games, singing snatches. Romping frisking, winking, whistling, raising families. Stomp your foot up on the floor. Throw the windows open , take a breath of fresh June air, and dance around the room. The air is free, the night is warm, the music’s here, and here’s my home.
ACT 2.2
Ma: Mr. Splinters, you may think I’m crazy, but I have a funny feelin. Come with me a minute.
Mr. Splinters: how’s that Missus Moss?
Ma: a funny feelin, something strange is going on. Them two men you talked about before, then these two men show up like this so soon…have you ever seen them round here before?
Mr. Sp: Not me. Why Missus Moss, you really thing so?
Ma; I have a feelin. Things they said. Things I heard. The sheriff could clear up my mind.
Mr. Sp: won’t hurt for me to bring the sheriff round for a few questions. I’ll go right now. You rest easy. …… might be… might be….
Ma: drive fast, Mr Splinters, so they won’t have time to miss you! So nice they seem, yet I feel it is them. The chances that we take, have I the right to make an accusation just on feeling? I hope I’m wrong.
Intro
Hi all!
This little blog is a place to store images, research, and ideas for a production team working on Aaron Copland's The Tender Land.
enjoy...
This little blog is a place to store images, research, and ideas for a production team working on Aaron Copland's The Tender Land.
enjoy...
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