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Cosmic Nightingale

 

Book and Music By
Book by Mariner Pezza
Music and Lyrics by
Cheryl E. Kemeny

 


Photos of a recent production

 

Age Range: Middle School to High School
Cast Size: 25 - 50
Running Time: approx. 1 hour 45 min.

“Take me to the stars, I want to know the meaning of the universe. Tell me, do the stars sing and who are they singing for?” So sings Jenn Parks, the street singer who longs to be the “Cosmic Nightingale”, the singer the visitors from another world come seeking.

When what appears to be a comet suddenly changes course, the world realizes “we are not alone”, and the scheming begins among the governments of Earth. No one knows who they are or what they want, but all realize these creatures are more advanced and will have superior technology. Each country rationalizes that only they could have what the aliens seek.

Others have a darker view of the visitors. A preacher known as the “Prophetess of Doom” stirs up anxiety by proclaiming the coming of the aliens means the end of the world.

Only Jenn Parks sees this as an opportunity never to be realized again.

The aliens finally arrive, but no one is prepared for what they really want – a singer of songs! After picking up a 1930’s radio broadcast, the members of an aging race of people long for the passion and emotion they hear in the music, long absent in their own culture. Representatives from all the worlds’ countries try to offer them something else, but the visitors’ response is, “What else could you have that we could possibly want?”

“Cosmic Nightingale” is a tongue in cheek look at the different ways the people of Earth respond to our first visit with aliens from another planet. It shows that the strongest person is one who is true to herself and to what she believes. It is a sharp and funny musical satire that asks the question: What happens when the aliens come and DON’T say “Take Me To Your Leader”?

Click title to see an Adobe PDF file score sample Adobe Acrobat Reader,
or 'real audio' to hear a clip:

Take Me To The Stars: Ebullient number performed early in the show and reprised in the Finale that captures the spirit of the show's heroine."Tell me, is there more than we see, And more than we ever thought of? Take Me To the Stars! I want to know it all!" [real audio]

Lucky Star: Lovely ballad performed at a 1930's radio show by Diane Parks, Jenn's grandmother. The song is picked up over the airwaves by the aliens, who change course for Earth upon hearing it."...For in this world of darkness, I look up to you each night. You save me from its starkness, you make everything alright! My star! My Lucky Star!" [real audio]

Repent, Sinner!: Gospel shouter performed by the Prophetess of Doom to warn people of the impending doom the aliens are sure to bring."...'cause if you don't, I'm willing to betcha those little green men are going to get ya, Repent, Sinner, get down on your knees.." [real audio]

What Else Could You Have (That We Could Possibly Want)? : Large number closing Act 1, where the aliens visit the United Nations and shock everyone by asking for a singer."..Our superiority, we do not wish to flaunt, but What Else Could You Have That We Could Possibly Want?" [real audio]

Crystal Theatre Publishing
12 June Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Phone & Fax: (203) 847-4850
crystalt@crystaltheatrepublishing.com

 

 

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  1. Take Me To The Stars
    2.
  2. Klaxo Powdered Milk
    3.
  3. My Lucky Star
    4.
  4. It Turned!
    5.
  5. Repent, Sinner!
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  6. Without Me You're Nothing
    7.
  7. Send Them A Message
    8.
  8. What Else Could You Have?
  9. Take Me To Your Leader!
    10.
  10. This Conversation Never Took Place
    11.
  11. It’s All Who You Know
    12.
  12. Sing!
    13.
  13. Raw Passion
    14.
  14. If I Could Be The One
    15.
  15. Take Me To The Stars - Finale
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