The Tempest Musical
Encyclopedia
The Tempest: A Musical is a musical production based on William Shakespeare
's play The Tempest
, with original songs by Daniel Neiden 1.
The show made its off-Broadway
debut at the Cherry Lane Theatre
in New York City in December 2006. It was produced by The Republic Theater Company. It featured a book by Ryan Knowles
and Daniel Neiden, based on a concept by Tony Award
-Winner Thomas Meehan
(Annie
, Hairspray
, The Producers
). Arrangement and Musical Supervision by Charles Czarnecki 2.(Jersey Boys
).
A concept album of the show was produced by Charles Czarnecki and Daniel Neiden in 2005.
"Hey Nonny Nonny!" opens the show. This song covers the shipwreck and introduces all of the characters. "Bella Milano" deals with Prospero's story of how he and his daughter, Miranda, came to be on the island. "Yellow Sands" is Ariel's song, beckoning the mariners to the shore. Charged to go deliver a vision to Ferdinand, Ariel sings "Full Fathom Five". In "I Promise You" Ferdinand and Miranda profess their love for each other. "The Master, The Swabber" is a drinking song sung by Trinculo and Stephano. "Farewell, Master" is a song sung by Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano in dedication to their new goal of freedom. "Juno is the song of matrimony and fertility Prospero conjures for his lovestruck daughter. Prospero's inner thoughts are revealed in the song, "Such Stuff". In "Oh Disgrace, Oh Displeasure!", Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano sing of their desire to kill Prospero and get rich. "Howl" is a soul song accompanying a soliloquy by Prospero. Once Ariel is set free by Prospero, she sings "Where The Bee Drinks". The show closes with "In Your Hands", an uplifting gospel
-infused song, meant to send Prospero away from the island and the rest on their respective paths.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's play The Tempest
The Tempest
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place,...
, with original songs by Daniel Neiden 1.
The show made its off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
debut at the Cherry Lane Theatre
Cherry Lane Theatre
The Cherry Lane Theatre , located at 38 Commerce Street in the borough of Manhattan, was New York City's oldest, continuously running off-Broadway theater...
in New York City in December 2006. It was produced by The Republic Theater Company. It featured a book by Ryan Knowles
Ryan Knowles
Ryan Knowles is an American actor, singer, comedian, writer, and television host.Knowles has performed extensively in theatre, in New York City and across the U.S. In winter 2010, he performed in the North American tour of the Broadway production of "Dr...
and Daniel Neiden, based on a concept by Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
-Winner Thomas Meehan
Thomas Meehan (writer)
Thomas Meehan is an American writer, best known for Annie, The Producers and Hairspray.-Life and career:Meehan grew up in Suffern, New York, and graduated from Hamilton College...
(Annie
Annie (musical)
Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years with a blonde Annie as the poster...
, Hairspray
Hairspray (musical)
Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues...
, The Producers
The Producers (musical)
The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich...
). Arrangement and Musical Supervision by Charles Czarnecki 2.(Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys is a jukebox musical with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. It is a documentary-style musical, based on one of the most successful 1960s rock 'n roll groups, the Four Seasons...
).
A concept album of the show was produced by Charles Czarnecki and Daniel Neiden in 2005.
Songs
Nearly every song has lyrics taken from Shakespeare's original text (adapted by Daniel Neiden), allowing the song to propel the action forward without diluting the Bard's story. The only exception is the opening number, with lyrics written by Daniel Neiden and Ryan Knowles."Hey Nonny Nonny!" opens the show. This song covers the shipwreck and introduces all of the characters. "Bella Milano" deals with Prospero's story of how he and his daughter, Miranda, came to be on the island. "Yellow Sands" is Ariel's song, beckoning the mariners to the shore. Charged to go deliver a vision to Ferdinand, Ariel sings "Full Fathom Five". In "I Promise You" Ferdinand and Miranda profess their love for each other. "The Master, The Swabber" is a drinking song sung by Trinculo and Stephano. "Farewell, Master" is a song sung by Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano in dedication to their new goal of freedom. "Juno is the song of matrimony and fertility Prospero conjures for his lovestruck daughter. Prospero's inner thoughts are revealed in the song, "Such Stuff". In "Oh Disgrace, Oh Displeasure!", Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano sing of their desire to kill Prospero and get rich. "Howl" is a soul song accompanying a soliloquy by Prospero. Once Ariel is set free by Prospero, she sings "Where The Bee Drinks". The show closes with "In Your Hands", an uplifting gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
-infused song, meant to send Prospero away from the island and the rest on their respective paths.