Book & Lyrics: Mary Bracken Phillips
Music: Jan Fairchild & Mary Bracken Phillips
Off Off Broadway: Musical Theatre Works NYC.
Regional: Goodspeed Musicals,
Off Broadway: Theatre at St Peters Church, NYC.
Coming production: Greensboro College 2016
(2/m 2/w)
Paula and Jonathon have elected not to have children, as it would interfere with their rapidly rising careers. As fate would have it, they slip up and their son, Brian, is conceived. After a tough wrestling match with her conscience, Paula decides to have the child. Jonathon, however, is horrified at the prospect of becoming a father, believing he will be a lethally incompetent one. When Brian is born, the couple struggles with who will take time off for what and when, but as the months go by, they fall in love with their son. Until in his fifth month, Brian is found dead in his crib while his parents are both at work. What follows is a tragedy of grief, blame and self-recrimination and the couple separates. Jonathon withdraws from life altogether and Paula's rising star self-destructs. In the end, with nothing left to lose, they reunite, sadder but wiser, and resolve to have another child, concluding it was better to have had Brian and lost him than never to have had him at all.
"So. have you ever had an experience in the theatre where a script totally hit you in all the right places? Made you laugh, cry, think. Even be proud to be a part of this business? As a student, oh, lets say 30 years ago, I saw one such play...CRADLE SONG by Mary Bracken Phillips and Jan Fairchild. And now I get to direct a production of this most amazing work. Come see it! Hear this story. One that really needs to be told. and Heard. " William Perry-Hall, Head of Musical Theatre Greensboro College.
“…a zesty, excellently performed little show-a tragicomic musical
about love, death, ambition, and rebirth in Manhattan’s dress for success trades.” New York Newsday
“…the intimate production races by in a fast, seamless two hours.”
Phillips’ book and lyrics are illuminated by her knowledge and brisk,
flavorful adult dialogue shot through with unsentimental New York
humor.” Variety
“Therapeutic theatre on the edge of poetry…This little musical is
irresistible.” Stamford Times
“The script is by no means a morality play and the ambiance is more light then grim, even when it comes to the pathos.” N.Y.Times
“There is a delightful surprise waiting for you at Goodspeed…it’s a piece of cake with delicious frosting. The often liltingly sung dialogue touches life’s beautiful moments, rides along through the day in day out vicissitudes, encompasses a bleak tragedy and all the while, the play holds one fast. The first act is an hour plus of almost steady laughter…the second act is touching drama.” Bristol News
“This is not just another bit of light summertime fluff. It is a show that will make you laugh a lot, perhaps cry a little. It is a show for today.“ The Pictorial, Old Saybrook, CT
“This is an audacious musical…bravely unpredictable, definitely more of a serious drama with songs than an out and out musical.” Bristol Press
For info email: [email protected]