Spring Musical: WHIRLD!
This page includes information about the setting, story, and characters to be cast in WHIRLD!
Optional: Want to audition with a song from the show? Scroll down to the bottom for materials to learn a few song selections.
Click here to sign up for an audition slot.
Optional: Want to audition with a song from the show? Scroll down to the bottom for materials to learn a few song selections.
Click here to sign up for an audition slot.
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We wrote and produced the world premiere of WHIRLD! in Spring 2017, loosely inspired by the Jules Vernon classic, "Around the World in 80 Days."
Script and songs for this adventurous story are 100% complete, though we may make some revisions based on the needs of our new cast. THE SETTING: Whirld! takes place in 1893, the height of the steam era and the expansion of inventions and technological advances. In a steampunk setting blending the Victorian Era with advancing technology, the story begins in London, and characters travel to other parts of the world, including the World's Fair in Chicago. THE STORY: The theme of the show explores "the impossible" through different perspectives. An eccentric wealthy Englishman makes a wager that he can prove that nothing is impossible, if the stakes are high enough. He uses state-of-the-art technology to search London for people saying the words “it’s impossible. He then invites them all to participate in a game – they have 80 days to achieve that which they labeled “impossible” and if they are successful, they will receive riches beyond their dreams. Thropp believes that this experiment will prove that, given a great enough incentive, people will begin to stretch their visions of what is possible and what can be accomplished with their lives. The individuals he has gathered quickly realize that they can increase their chances if they work together rather than individually. They attempt to collaborate, even though there inherent tensions and misunderstandings between them. Their quest takes them on adventures through several countries while experiencing many trials and tribulations. Along the way, they learn about teamwork, sacrifice, hope and adversity. But will Thropp win his wager and will they navigate the challenges and reach their goals and the untold riches? |
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THE INSPIRATION:
Our story receives inspiration from Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days. The character of Philean Thropp is based on the "80 Days" protagonist, Phileas Fogg, in terms of character details and mannerism. The similar premise of achieving the impossible in the timeframe of 80 day anchors the plot of our story, though in a very different way from the original novel. Our script visits Asia and India - both locations included in the original book. In fact, the fears the characters experience about India stay true to the book, but in our version, one of the characters helps the others see that they need to open their minds beyond their fears and stereotypes.
While the connections to the original novel are loose, children who read the book to accompany their experience in the musical will recognize many direct quotes from the book inserted in the dialogue of our show...like “Easter eggs” for their reading experience.
Our story receives inspiration from Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days. The character of Philean Thropp is based on the "80 Days" protagonist, Phileas Fogg, in terms of character details and mannerism. The similar premise of achieving the impossible in the timeframe of 80 day anchors the plot of our story, though in a very different way from the original novel. Our script visits Asia and India - both locations included in the original book. In fact, the fears the characters experience about India stay true to the book, but in our version, one of the characters helps the others see that they need to open their minds beyond their fears and stereotypes.
While the connections to the original novel are loose, children who read the book to accompany their experience in the musical will recognize many direct quotes from the book inserted in the dialogue of our show...like “Easter eggs” for their reading experience.
THE CHARACTERS
As this is an original musical, some characters and components may change based on casting and choices necessary for the show’s development.
THE TRAVELERS:
MARGARETTE: a feisty suffragette with larger-than-life dreams
MARC: a painter with a curious secret
HENRI: a brilliant female inventor who hides under a man’s name
JULES: a charming pseudo-inventor primarily driven by fame and fortune
CELINE: a nurturing but timid and over-cautious mother whose husband is overseas in the war
ANNA: Celine’s older daughter, quiet but with a large imagination
MARIE: Celine’s younger daughter, bold and outspoken
Optional: Those interested in one of the roles of "The Travelers" have the option of learning a verse from the song, "Impossible" for their audition. This is completely optional.
IN LONDON:
PHILEAN THROPP, an eccentric gentleman obsessed with routines and precision
MARIAN, a spunky and clever hostess at a Victorian English Pub
DAWSON, a Victorian Gentlemen, uptight & orderly
DRAGAN, Dawson’s brother, messy and free-spirited
CLAUDE, a wealthy aristocrat with an air of arrogance
ARCHIBALD, Thropp’s responsible Butler
BARTHOLOMEW, Thropp’s forgetful Butler
THE MUSE TROUPE:
The Muses are Street Performers in London who orchestrate the “game” and then become our storytellers throughout the show, through song, dance and spoken word. They have both featured solos and perform as a group. Their personalities are inspired by the Greek Muses and the arts each one represents.
IN CHINA:
MASTER LU: A purveyor of curious goods and Kung Fu Master
KUNG FU WARRIORS: The group of young men that Master Lu organizes to play a trick on the traveler
IN INDIA:
ANOUDA: A strong-minded young Indian woman with talent in Medical Arts; later appears on the Magic Island
KALI: The middle of the three Indian sisters; fearless and clever
RIYA: The youngest of the Indian sisters, wild and mischievous
THE SPICE GIRLS: Young girls who are sellers and visitors to the Indian marketplace
ON THE MAGICAL ISLAND
THE ISLAND ENCHANTRESSES: Fairies who entice CELINE'S daughters into their magic world
THE BLUE ISLAND FAIRIES: The youngest fairies who spread their magic
IN THE US:
JAMES: Celine’s husband, a soldier overseas; strong yet sensitive
MAUREEN, an army nurse
KATE, a Victorian writer
DIRECTOR DAVIS, the director of the Chicago World’s Fair
As this is an original musical, some characters and components may change based on casting and choices necessary for the show’s development.
THE TRAVELERS:
MARGARETTE: a feisty suffragette with larger-than-life dreams
MARC: a painter with a curious secret
HENRI: a brilliant female inventor who hides under a man’s name
JULES: a charming pseudo-inventor primarily driven by fame and fortune
CELINE: a nurturing but timid and over-cautious mother whose husband is overseas in the war
ANNA: Celine’s older daughter, quiet but with a large imagination
MARIE: Celine’s younger daughter, bold and outspoken
Optional: Those interested in one of the roles of "The Travelers" have the option of learning a verse from the song, "Impossible" for their audition. This is completely optional.
IN LONDON:
PHILEAN THROPP, an eccentric gentleman obsessed with routines and precision
MARIAN, a spunky and clever hostess at a Victorian English Pub
DAWSON, a Victorian Gentlemen, uptight & orderly
DRAGAN, Dawson’s brother, messy and free-spirited
CLAUDE, a wealthy aristocrat with an air of arrogance
ARCHIBALD, Thropp’s responsible Butler
BARTHOLOMEW, Thropp’s forgetful Butler
THE MUSE TROUPE:
The Muses are Street Performers in London who orchestrate the “game” and then become our storytellers throughout the show, through song, dance and spoken word. They have both featured solos and perform as a group. Their personalities are inspired by the Greek Muses and the arts each one represents.
IN CHINA:
MASTER LU: A purveyor of curious goods and Kung Fu Master
KUNG FU WARRIORS: The group of young men that Master Lu organizes to play a trick on the traveler
IN INDIA:
ANOUDA: A strong-minded young Indian woman with talent in Medical Arts; later appears on the Magic Island
KALI: The middle of the three Indian sisters; fearless and clever
RIYA: The youngest of the Indian sisters, wild and mischievous
THE SPICE GIRLS: Young girls who are sellers and visitors to the Indian marketplace
ON THE MAGICAL ISLAND
THE ISLAND ENCHANTRESSES: Fairies who entice CELINE'S daughters into their magic world
THE BLUE ISLAND FAIRIES: The youngest fairies who spread their magic
IN THE US:
JAMES: Celine’s husband, a soldier overseas; strong yet sensitive
MAUREEN, an army nurse
KATE, a Victorian writer
DIRECTOR DAVIS, the director of the Chicago World’s Fair
Want to Audition with a Song from the Show?
This is completely optional, but we offer it as a possibility for children who may be motivated to learn something new.
If your child is interested in one of the six "traveler" characters, it is especially helpful to learn one of the verses from "Impossible" - but this is by no means required. Children are welcome to sing absolutely any song during their audition.
During the audition, children can sing with or without the backtrack. Once cast, we transpose the songs (make the musical key higher or lower) to best showcase each singer's voice.
1. "Rise" - the show's finale, sung by the full company
(it is not necessary to learn the whole song; a portion is fine)
2. "Impossible" - The six "travelers" each have a verse to declare their impossible goal.
JULES: a charming pseudo-inventor primarily driven by fame and fortune
MARGARETTE: a feisty suffragette with larger-than-life dreams
HENRI: a brilliant female inventor who hides under a man’s name
CELINE: a nurturing but timid and over-cautious mother, traveling with two children while her husband is in the army overseas
MARC (or MARCIA - this role can be either male or female) - a painter with a curious secret - that he (or she) is actually blind
If your child is interested in one of the six "traveler" characters, it is especially helpful to learn one of the verses from "Impossible" - but this is by no means required. Children are welcome to sing absolutely any song during their audition.
During the audition, children can sing with or without the backtrack. Once cast, we transpose the songs (make the musical key higher or lower) to best showcase each singer's voice.
1. "Rise" - the show's finale, sung by the full company
(it is not necessary to learn the whole song; a portion is fine)
2. "Impossible" - The six "travelers" each have a verse to declare their impossible goal.
JULES: a charming pseudo-inventor primarily driven by fame and fortune
- Vocal demo here
- Lyrics here
- Backtrack here (same for Jules, Henri, and Marc/Marcia)
MARGARETTE: a feisty suffragette with larger-than-life dreams
- Vocal demo here
- Lyrics here
- Backtrack here (same for Margarette and Celine)
HENRI: a brilliant female inventor who hides under a man’s name
- Vocal demo here
- Lyrics here
CELINE: a nurturing but timid and over-cautious mother, traveling with two children while her husband is in the army overseas
- Vocal demo here
- Lyrics here
- Backtrack here (same for Margarette and Celine)
MARC (or MARCIA - this role can be either male or female) - a painter with a curious secret - that he (or she) is actually blind
- Vocal demo here
- Lyrics here
- Backtrack here (same for Jules, Henri, and Marc/Marcia)