Becoming Tennessee
Music by Clint EdwardsBook and Lyrics by Michael Aman
"Becoming Tennessee" is my first collaboration with lyricist Michael Aman. It tells the story of a young Tennessee Williams and his first trip to New Orleans in 1939. Michael and I have written the piece over the last 18 months and were thrilled to be included in this year's Eugene O'Neill theater conference where "Becoming Tennessee" was presented as the culmination of a day long celebration of Tennessee Williams. The show was directed by Michael Bush and starred Brian Charles Rooney as Tom Williams, Gretha Boston (1995 Tony Award winner for "Showboat") as Laila Brown, and Dathan Williams as the Auctioneer. A plot synopsis, rehearsal photos, and audio clips are available below. Check back for updates as we ready the show for another performance this fall.
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Synopsis
A jazz funeral recessional. The music is upbeat and ironic celebrating death. This is the music which greets twenty-eight year old Tom Williams when he moves to New Orleans in 1938, leaving the protection of his family for the first time. In the plush overstuffed room which he rents from Laila Brown, a former madam in the legendary Storyville, Tom embraces the life and the sound of his new home glorying in the city at night and working as a dishwasher during the day. The jazz music, indeed the musicians themselves seem to be everywhere – in the air, in the nightlife, even in his room. It´s the sound of his poetry, his dreams. Tom meets a kindred spirit in Mr. Hannon, a mentor of sorts for the young poet and the two of them see themselves reflected in each other. However Hannon succumbed to the lure of the city and left his artistry behind and he encourages Tom to do likewise.
Tom dives into the decadence of the city–always conflicted about his passions and his need to express himself in his writing. The music haunts him–seduces him–as does the presence of a street auctioneer. He finds adventure and love in one wonderful night and realizes that maybe Hannon is right and he should relinquish his dreams in favor of the sensuality of the city.
When he wakes up in a cemetery after a night of indulgence, he tries to ward off his Blue Devils–his vices–with little success. As the city readies itself for Mardi Gras, Tom becomes more disillusioned. He wonders where his dreams went. His indulgence has led him to betray not only Laila, but Hannon as well. When he hears that Hannon has been injured, Tom makes amends. Hannon makes Tom promise to move on and become the artist that Hannon abandoned. Tom mourns the passing of his friend, but with the drive that he will pursue what he meant to become. When one of his stories is accepted for publication under the pen name Tennessee, the young writer adopts the new persona and moves on to the rest of his life leaving his dreamlike city behind.
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“Take What You Want”
Music composed, orchestrated, and recorded byClint EdwardsLyrics by Michael Aman
Performed by Reginald Bennett Jr., Karen Mack, and Steven Watkins
This song takes place about 25 minutes into the first act. The Auctioneer is convincing the young Tom (Tennessee) Williams that all he needs to find his voice as a writer is lying right before him in the gloriously decadent city of New Orleans. If you can’t get what you want, then take it. He is joined by all the inhabitants of the city in his attempt to persuade.
Single Blank Sheet
Tom steps out onto the balcony to take in the sights of New Orleans on his first night in the city.
I Like It
Tom is in a rowdy bar where he meets many colorful denizens of the Latin Quarter and engages in the fun of New Orleans.
At Least For Tonight
Laila observes Tom as he slips off into the night and is reminded of her past.