Debra Shea wrote: As always, I look forward to
whatever Joni comes up with
next. She's such a good storyteller, I
wonder if she's ever thought to
do a musical...
NPIMH: Pirates of Penzance... very theatrical
Gee, it's funny you should mention this, Debra! I've
been toying with how to incorporate some of Joni's
songs into a musical. Here's the very rough outline.
I'm interested in hearing what others think of the
general idea.
Blue: The Musical
with songs by Joni Mitchell
Characters:
Penance Crane - a young woman who works as a deckhand
on a fishing boat
Billy Blue - a pirate
Dawn (need a last name?) - a dancer
the fishing boat owner
the police chief
fishermen and sailors (Billy's friends)
Act I Scene I - Penance arrives on the dock, ready to
head out for a fishing trip. She's the first one there.
The boat owner admits that's she's the best crew member
who brings in the most fish, but worries aloud to her
about her prospects for settling down. She says she
loves the freedom of the sea and sings Song to a
Seagull.
Act I Scene II - Billy Blue sits with friends in a bar.
They talk about women. Someone asks him about Penance.
He says she's too headstrong and says she wants to be
"like a man," like he is actually, free and with a man
in every port. He sings Cactus Tree about her.
Acti I Scene III - Dawn, the dancer, enters and
performs a dance routine. (maybe she could dance to a
Joni song done instrumentally?) After she finishes, she
goes over to Billy. They flirt. Eventually, though,
Billy leaves because it's closing time, but promises
"see you around." The dancer sits alone, sipping a
drink. She sings Tin Angel with no small amount of
irony and boredom.
Act II Scene I - It's the following week. Penance is
sitting with the owner of the fishing boat in the bar
after coming in from a rough week on the water. They've
both had too much to drink. They talk about the week
and how disappointing the fishing was. The boat owner
says again she should think about settling down and
leave the fishing business behind. He reminds her of
Billy, then leaves. Penance sings A Case of You.
Act II Scene II The Pirate enters the bar with Dawn.
They seem to be very affectionate and playful. He
convinces Dawn to meet him after closing time and go
out on the town since he'll be leaving to go out to sea
tomorrow. They sing Night in the City as a duet.
Act II Scene III
Billy is getting ready to go to sea. He realizes how
much he'll miss Dawn, and that, in fact, he loves her.
He goes to the bar to tell her how he feels. He sings
Down to You. Dawn says she doesn't feel the same,. She
says that's he's just like all the other sailors she
entertains. She sings Off Night Back Street. Dejected,
Billy leaves.
Act III Scene I
It's time for Billy to board his boat, but he's nowhere
to be found. His buddies wonder about his whereabouts
as Penance, who is also on the dock, overhears them.
She realizes how much she loves him. She sings Blue and
watches as his boat leaves without him.
Act III Scene II The police chief launces an
investigation. He questions Dawn and Penance. They sing
The Pirate of Penance. Both assume Billy is dead and
each suspect the other. Penance announces she's heading
back out to sea. Dawn returns to her job at the bar.
Act III Scene III
It's a few years later. Penance is on the dock. She
owns her own fishing boat now. One of the sailors is
late. He hurries down the dock with Dawn in tow. She
whines about him leaving. In a room overlooking the
dock, a figure appears. It's Billy. He sings Two Grey
Rooms.
Please be kind. I've only begun to think this through,
but Debra's comment made me want to share it.
lots of love
Anne
