musicals
Public domain illustration by J.J. Grandville for Le Magasin Pitoresque Vol 8, 1840
Ian August has written the lyrics to two musicals for young audiences: TREASURE ISLAND, an adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, with music by composer Mark Baron and a book by Paul Whelihan, and COW AND THE BEANSTALK, an adaptation of “Jack and the Beanstalk” from the perspective of the cow, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, with music by composer Mark Baron.
Treasure Island was originally produced May 7 to June 11, 2005, by A Kid’s Forum at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen, NJ. The musical was the first original musical to be performed with spoken word, song and American Sign Language, for both hearing impaired and hearing audiences. The production was directed by Paul Whelihan, who also performed alongside Brian Townes, Christopher Jones, Steve Graham, Ted Wrigley, R. Liam Jennings and an ensemble of deaf and hearing actors. (Photos by Paul Whelihan below.) CAST REQUIREMENTS: 8-12 with doubling. RUN TIME: 90 Minutes, no intermission.
Cow and the Beanstalk was originally produced by Running Rabbit Family Theatre at Luna Stage in Montclair, NJ. The musical was directed by Paul Whelihan and featured Cassie Balint, Michael Stanton Murphy, Rose Pedone Maloney, and Paul Murphy. (Photos by Charlotte McKim below.) CAST REQUIREMENTS: 2W / 2M. RUN TIME: 75 Minutes with intermission.
Cassie Balint as Cow and Michael Stanton Murphy as Jack in Cow and the Beanstalk.
The ensemble of the A Kid’s Forum production of Treasure Island.
The cast of the original production of Cow and the Beanstalk. From left to right: Paul Murphy, Cassie Balint, Michael Stanton Murphy, Rose Pedone Maloney
A scene from Treasure Island: Steve Graham and Christopher Jones
A scene from Treasure Island. From left to right: R. Liam Jennings, Christopher Jones, Paul Whelihan
Members of the cast of Treasure Island. Clockwise from top left: Paul Whelihan, Christopher Jones, Brian Townes