The Canticle of the Plains
Encyclopedia
Canticle of the Plains is a musical written by songwriters Rich Mullins
, Mitch McVicker, and Beaker
which is based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
The story centers on a character named Frank, a nineteenth century cowboy
, and his travels through the Midwest after returning home from fighting in the Civil War
. Frank then meets Buzz, a former slave, in a burned out church in Lawrence
, Kansas and Ivory, in a saloon
. Frank also runs into a childhood friend in the saloon, named Clare. Frank, Buzz and Ivory set out in search of the imaginary land of Dineh Bekeya.
In 1996, a soundtrack
album was recorded, featuring Mitch McVicker
as Frank, Leigh Bingham Nash
from Sixpence None the Richer
as Clare, Kevin Max
as Ivory and Michael Tait
as Buzz.
By 1997, the musical had been performed in its draft form at a variety of locations including The Cornerstone Festival.
At the time of his death, Mullins was in production for the official world première
. He had asked Kevin Brocksieck http://www.AlmightyFear.com and Nicole Capri (of Tapestry Performing Arts) to rewrite the script and produce the show, set to première October 11 with McVicker in the leading role of Frank. After his death, Mullins' board and family asked that the première go on as planned with Brocksieck moving into the leading role (due to McVicker's extensive injuries from the September 19 crash). The première was directed by Nicole Capri with musical direction by Kevin Brocksieck.
Rich Mullins
Richard Wayne "Rich" Mullins was an American Contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter born in Richmond, Indiana. He had two sisters and two brothers....
, Mitch McVicker, and Beaker
Beaker (musician)
Beaker is a pseudonym for David Strasser, a Christian songwriter and musician well-known for his collaborations with artist Rich Mullins. He received his nickname as a young man, when friends said he looked like Beaker the Muppet....
which is based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
The story centers on a character named Frank, a nineteenth century cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
, and his travels through the Midwest after returning home from fighting in the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Frank then meets Buzz, a former slave, in a burned out church in Lawrence
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
, Kansas and Ivory, in a saloon
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
. Frank also runs into a childhood friend in the saloon, named Clare. Frank, Buzz and Ivory set out in search of the imaginary land of Dineh Bekeya.
In 1996, a soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
album was recorded, featuring Mitch McVicker
Mitch McVicker
Mitch McVicker is a GMA Dove Award-winning Contemporary Christian Music singer-songwriter.-Biography:McVicker attended Friends University in Wichita Kansas, in the early-1990s where he met and befriended the late CCM recording artist, Rich Mullins...
as Frank, Leigh Bingham Nash
Leigh Bingham Nash
Leigh Bingham Nash is an American singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist for the pop band Sixpence None the Richer and is also a member of Fauxliage and Movement Nashville....
from Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer is an American rock/pop band that formed in New Braunfels, Texas, eventually settling in Nashville, Tennessee. They are best known for their songs "Kiss Me" and "Breathe Your Name" and their covers of "Don't Dream It's Over" and "There She Goes". The name of the band is...
as Clare, Kevin Max
Kevin Max
Kevin Max Smith is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk...
as Ivory and Michael Tait
Michael Tait
Michael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
as Buzz.
By 1997, the musical had been performed in its draft form at a variety of locations including The Cornerstone Festival.
At the time of his death, Mullins was in production for the official world première
Premiere
A premiere is generally "a first performance". This can refer to plays, films, television programs, operas, symphonies, ballets and so on. Premieres for theatrical, musical and other cultural presentations can become extravagant affairs, attracting large numbers of socialites and much media...
. He had asked Kevin Brocksieck http://www.AlmightyFear.com and Nicole Capri (of Tapestry Performing Arts) to rewrite the script and produce the show, set to première October 11 with McVicker in the leading role of Frank. After his death, Mullins' board and family asked that the première go on as planned with Brocksieck moving into the leading role (due to McVicker's extensive injuries from the September 19 crash). The première was directed by Nicole Capri with musical direction by Kevin Brocksieck.
Soundtrack track listing
- "There You Are"
- "Cry For Freedom"
- "If I Could Make It Work"
- "In Your Hands"
- "Heaven Is Waiting"
- "Things Even Angels"
- "Buenas Noches From Nacogdochas"
- "Love's As Strong"
- "Oh My Lord"
- "You Are All"
The soundtrack band
- Rich MullinsRich MullinsRichard Wayne "Rich" Mullins was an American Contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter born in Richmond, Indiana. He had two sisters and two brothers....
: Acoustic Guitars, keyboards. - Mitch McVickerMitch McVickerMitch McVicker is a GMA Dove Award-winning Contemporary Christian Music singer-songwriter.-Biography:McVicker attended Friends University in Wichita Kansas, in the early-1990s where he met and befriended the late CCM recording artist, Rich Mullins...
: Vocals, Acoustic Guitars. - Michael TaitMichael TaitMichael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
: Vocals. - Kevin MaxKevin MaxKevin Max Smith is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk...
: Vocals. - Leigh Bingham NashLeigh Bingham NashLeigh Bingham Nash is an American singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist for the pop band Sixpence None the Richer and is also a member of Fauxliage and Movement Nashville....
: Vocals. - Kenny Greenberg: Guitars.
- Mark Robertson: Bass Guitars, Percussion.
- Billy Crockett: Guitars.
- Kyle WoodringKyle WoodringKyle Woodring was a studio and concert drummer living in the Chicago, Illinois area. Born and raised in Mason, Michigan...
: Drums. - Christopher Mosher: Keyboards.
- Jeff OlsonJeff Olson (Musician)Jeff Olson is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, radio show host, and the original drummer for the legendary doom/rock band, Trouble...
: Percussion. - Daniel Holter: Percussion.