a work in progress

little BIG me: a parable

In order to tell a story that is disturbing, especially when it is about family disfunction, a story we'd rather not know about, a story that should be kept in the closet, we must tell it in a way that helps an audience experience it viscerally – so that they may experience both joy and pain. My work in progress is being developed as a solo performance musical theater piece. I am actively searching for a composer to help me fully realize its potential. It is told with magical realism, music and love.

Artistic Narrative

This is a short video explaining the crux of the story. In the end, it's not about abuse or pain at all.

It's about love waiting to be remembered..

JULIE

When somebody is born, most times we’re filled with joy because here is this new little person we have an opportunity to love, because this little person is pure love. Right? But when somebody we love dies, it’s like a piece of us is ripped out of our gut, like our life can never be completed the way it was meant to because their love is no longer physically present. When I think of who I was before the crap hit the fan, I see this kid, this baby girl, looking up at something on the ceiling, touching her big brother’s heart or reaching up to touch her mother’s cheek. Always reaching out for love. Looking up, out for something I’m pretty sure I forgot when I was born. Did I forget love? Did I forget God? Did I forget who I was or why I was here? See, because then we start growing up and learning all these rules. And to be honest, I’ve never held much respect for rules. Like heaven and hell rules and school rules and boy rules, girl rules. I mean, the rules we’re taught about nothingness, every-thing-ness, love, hate, life and death don’t always make a whole lot of sense when you think about them too hard. But I plain can’t help myself. (Beat) Of course, that might be because I was born in Texas. I mean, Texas? Hell, yeah!

(MUSIC begins up tempo. The scrim turns into Texas dance hall. Lights up, revealing a band with piano, guitar, bass, drums and fiddle. JULIE raises the skirt of her robe to resemble a hoe-down square dance, wraps a cowboy hat around the back of her neck smiles broadly, grabs a mike in front of the band and sings..)

TEXAS RULE NUMBER ONE

WHISKY HELPS WITH BIBLE VERSES

SINNING DARES THE DEVIL’S CURSES

LOVE’S A BIG BEAR HUG.

IT’S A TEMPTING DRUG.

AND JUST FOR FUN?

....

PINK RHINESTONE PURSES

FOR PINK RHINESTONE GUNS. ........

Sample