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Camille Claudel (musical)
Encyclopedia
Camille Claudel is a musical
with a book and lyrics by Nan Knighton
and music by Frank Wildhorn
, their second musical. It is based on the life of the real-life French
sculptor
and graphic artist of the same name
. The show was believed to be "sculpted" around Mr. Wildhorn's ex-wife, Linda Eder
, who originated the title role.
, for whom she was a source of inspiration, a model, a confidante, and a lover. The show opens with Camille's love for her true passion - sculpting ("In the Stone"). The musical features Camille's sometimes troubling relationship with both her father (who had actually helped her) and brother, Paul Claudel
. Despite not being a male, she insists she be allowed to be enrolled at Le Salon ("Not a Man"), yet she still manages to work & learn under Rodin. Act 1 concludes with Camille deciding she no longer needs Rodin, and attempts to live and create on her own, only to have Rodin tell her that she would be nothing without him ("Taking Back My Life"). Act II opens with Rodin reflecting on what he has done, and ailing with amiss for Camille ("A Trembling Man"). Camille now spends a lot of time with her father, and the two discuss older times and are at harmony ("Snow Falls"). When Paul realizes Camille's downward spiral into the unknown and her relations with Rodin, he attempts to save her and turn her to God, such as he had had his own conversion ("Field of Angels"). Instead, Camille cannot seem to understand why no one believes in her - including her family ("What's Never Been Done Before"). Rodin eventually rekindles his love with Camille, but the love is never returned ("Learning How to Love You"). After several more years, Camille's family decides that she is no longer stable (both emotionally & financially); they announce that her father has passed days earlier, and she is devastated that they did not tell her. Although she fights with Paul that she is not meant to be there, Paul and her mother send her to an insane asylum, where she comes to peace with the news of her father ("Snow Falls (Reprise)"). At the end of Act II, which switches to modern times, where Camille, now alone, reflects on the life she has lived ("Gold").
in the title role, Michael Nouri
as Auguste Rodin
, Matt Bogart as Paul Claudel and Milo O'Shea
as Camille's father, was staged by Goodspeed Musicals
in 2003. It was directed by Gabriel Barre and choreographed by Mark Dendy. The musical was presented in a "chamber-style" form; the cast was minimum,and they attempted to do the most they could with small scale sets. Orchestrations (by Kim Schranberg) were also on a smaller scale. Instead of bringing in statues, they used dancers to perform the roles of them, and many of the scenes were strictly dancing for the statues (sometimes accompanied by music). "The Waltz" was one of these. There were also many book-scenes/moments, more than a common Wildhorn musical. The creators have denounced calling this a "tragedy," but rather a celebration of the life of Camille.
The following year it was presented in the form of a 45-minute reading at The National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 16th Annual Festival of New Musicals. A studio demo recording was conducted in 2004, with no plans of a release. The musical has been consistently worked upon, with productions that were hoped for Europe and regional theatres across the United States. However, in 2007, author Nan Knighton has said that while there are certain opportunities still lurking, there are no immediate plans to bring Camille anywhere.
Act I
Act II
The musical features the Linda Eder single "Gold," which was seen on two of her solo albums: "Gold" and "Broadway, My Way." The song was also performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics
in Salt Lake City, UT. The song has also been "covered" by Brandi Burkhardt
at several European concerts with Frank Wildhorn.
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
with a book and lyrics by Nan Knighton
Nan Knighton
-Biography:Knighton is the daughter of Dr. Donald Proctor, a physician and his wife, Janice, an artist. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she is a 1965 graduate of Bryn Mawr School, with an undergraduate degree from Sarah Lawrence College and a master's degree in creative writing from Boston...
and music by Frank Wildhorn
Frank Wildhorn
Frank Wildhorn is an American composer known for both his musicals and popular songs. He is most known for his musical Jekyll & Hyde, which ran four years on Broadway, and for writing the #1 International Hit song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" for Whitney Houston.-Early years:Wildhorn was born in...
, their second musical. It is based on the life of the real-life French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
sculptor
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
and graphic artist of the same name
Camille Claudel
Camille Claudel was a French sculptor and graphic artist. She was the elder sister of the poet and diplomat Paul Claudel.- Early years :...
. The show was believed to be "sculpted" around Mr. Wildhorn's ex-wife, Linda Eder
Linda Eder
Linda Eder is an American singer and actress. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde, for which she received 1997 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Nominations, as well as the Theatre World Award for Best Actress in a Musical...
, who originated the title role.
Plot
The show's opening scene is in 1913, when Camille was removed from society, then flashes back to 1881 and onward. The plot focuses on Claudel's career and her tempestuous relationship with Auguste RodinAuguste Rodin
François-Auguste-René Rodin , known as Auguste Rodin , was a French sculptor. Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past...
, for whom she was a source of inspiration, a model, a confidante, and a lover. The show opens with Camille's love for her true passion - sculpting ("In the Stone"). The musical features Camille's sometimes troubling relationship with both her father (who had actually helped her) and brother, Paul Claudel
Paul Claudel
Paul Claudel was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptor Camille Claudel. He was most famous for his verse dramas, which often convey his devout Catholicism.-Life:...
. Despite not being a male, she insists she be allowed to be enrolled at Le Salon ("Not a Man"), yet she still manages to work & learn under Rodin. Act 1 concludes with Camille deciding she no longer needs Rodin, and attempts to live and create on her own, only to have Rodin tell her that she would be nothing without him ("Taking Back My Life"). Act II opens with Rodin reflecting on what he has done, and ailing with amiss for Camille ("A Trembling Man"). Camille now spends a lot of time with her father, and the two discuss older times and are at harmony ("Snow Falls"). When Paul realizes Camille's downward spiral into the unknown and her relations with Rodin, he attempts to save her and turn her to God, such as he had had his own conversion ("Field of Angels"). Instead, Camille cannot seem to understand why no one believes in her - including her family ("What's Never Been Done Before"). Rodin eventually rekindles his love with Camille, but the love is never returned ("Learning How to Love You"). After several more years, Camille's family decides that she is no longer stable (both emotionally & financially); they announce that her father has passed days earlier, and she is devastated that they did not tell her. Although she fights with Paul that she is not meant to be there, Paul and her mother send her to an insane asylum, where she comes to peace with the news of her father ("Snow Falls (Reprise)"). At the end of Act II, which switches to modern times, where Camille, now alone, reflects on the life she has lived ("Gold").
Productions
The world premiere, with Linda EderLinda Eder
Linda Eder is an American singer and actress. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde, for which she received 1997 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Nominations, as well as the Theatre World Award for Best Actress in a Musical...
in the title role, Michael Nouri
Michael Nouri
Michael Nouri is an American television and film actor. He may be best known for his role as Nick Hurley, in the 1983 film Flashdance. He has had recurring roles in numerous television series, including NCIS as Eli David, the father of Mossad officer Ziva David, The O.C. as Dr...
as Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin
François-Auguste-René Rodin , known as Auguste Rodin , was a French sculptor. Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past...
, Matt Bogart as Paul Claudel and Milo O'Shea
Milo O'Shea
-Early life:He was born and raised in Dublin and educated by the Christian Brothers at Synge Street, along with his friend Donal Donnelly.He was discovered in the 1950s by Harry Dillon, who ran the "37 Theatre Club" on the top floor of his shop The Swiss Gem Company, 51 Lower O'Connell Street...
as Camille's father, was staged by Goodspeed Musicals
Goodspeed Musicals
Goodspeed Musicals, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works, was formed in 1959 to restore the Goodspeed Opera House, located in East Haddam, Connecticut, to its original Victorian appearance. Each year, Goodspeed...
in 2003. It was directed by Gabriel Barre and choreographed by Mark Dendy. The musical was presented in a "chamber-style" form; the cast was minimum,and they attempted to do the most they could with small scale sets. Orchestrations (by Kim Schranberg) were also on a smaller scale. Instead of bringing in statues, they used dancers to perform the roles of them, and many of the scenes were strictly dancing for the statues (sometimes accompanied by music). "The Waltz" was one of these. There were also many book-scenes/moments, more than a common Wildhorn musical. The creators have denounced calling this a "tragedy," but rather a celebration of the life of Camille.
The following year it was presented in the form of a 45-minute reading at The National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 16th Annual Festival of New Musicals. A studio demo recording was conducted in 2004, with no plans of a release. The musical has been consistently worked upon, with productions that were hoped for Europe and regional theatres across the United States. However, in 2007, author Nan Knighton has said that while there are certain opportunities still lurking, there are no immediate plans to bring Camille anywhere.
Song List
The world premiere song list follows. Although several changes have been made, many of the songs remain intact.Act I
- In the Stone - Camille
- What You Can Grasp In Your Hands - Rodin, Camille & Girls/Ensemble
- Enough of Paris - The Claudels
- Verge of a Kiss - Rodin
- I'm Home - Camille
- Not a Man - Committee Members/Ensemble & Camille
- A Woman in His Arms - Camille
- Unvieled - Ensemble
- Taking Back My Life - Camille & Rodin
Act II
- A Trembling Man - Rodin
- Snow Falls - Camille & Monsieur Claudel
- Field of Angels - Paul Claudel
- What's Never Been Done Before - Camille
- The Night It Began - Camille & Ensemble
- Learning How to Love You - Camille & Rodin
- Woman in My Arms (Reprise) - Rodin
- If - Camille & Rodin
- Snow Falls (Reprise) - Camille & Monsieur Claudel
- Gold - Camille
Recordings
No cast recording has ever been released. In 2004, a studio demo recording was conducted, starring Linda Eder and the majority of the world premiere cast. While it was originally thought that the recording would be released (Nearly all of Mr. Wildhorn's musicals have released a concept album prior to a major production), nothing of the such ever happened.The musical features the Linda Eder single "Gold," which was seen on two of her solo albums: "Gold" and "Broadway, My Way." The song was also performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
in Salt Lake City, UT. The song has also been "covered" by Brandi Burkhardt
Brandi Burkhardt
Brandi Lynn Burkhardt is an American vocalist, actress and beauty queen. She grew up in Pasadena, Maryland but currently lives in Los Angeles.-Education:...
at several European concerts with Frank Wildhorn.