Chicago Sun Times: "Inspired by J. M. Synge's landmark drama of the Irish theatre – in which a young man becomes a temporary hero after committing patricide – this show deserves a thriving future. Along with its ready-made tragicomic story and marvelous characters, it comes with a lovely lyrical score that very skillfully blends traditional Irish melodies and a Broadway sound."  PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, The New Irish Musical – a spectacular musical version of the classic 1907 Irish comedy by John Millington Synge. An Irish country girl who longs for adventure falls in love with a shy handsome stranger who confesses that he’s killed his father. Thinking him "courageous", the villagers make him a hero and the local celebrity . . . until his father turns up quite alive! Irish comedy, Irish dancing and Irish music meet Broadway! Lyrics by Kate Hancock, Music by Richard B. Evans, and Book by Hancock & Evans. John Millington Synge, author of the Irish comedy on which this musical is based. The Abbey Theatre's opening night performance erupted in riots, which had to be quelled by police. William Butler Yeats mounted the stage to give a speech in defense of Synge.

PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD had its first reading at the Manhattan Theatre Club in August 2003. Staged readings were also presented in New York City at the Irish Arts Center in February 2004, and the York Theatre in March 2004. Cast & crew from the staged reading of PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD at the York Theatre, NYC. Left to right, seated: Paul Castree, Joe Kolinski, Maggie Harrer (Director), Kate Hancock (Lyricist, Co-Bookwriter); standing: Sarah Nadeau, Erin Davie, Jeff Cyronek, Max Von Essen, Felicity LaFortune, Richard B. Evans (Composer, Co-Bookwriter), P. J. Benjamin, Stacie Morgain Lewis, Bob Goldstone (Assoc. Music Director), Michael Flanigan, Kathleen Early, Robert Mikulski (Music Director).

PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, The New Irish Musical, was selected in a national competition to be given a fully staged reading at the Chicago Stages Festival of New Musicals 2005.  Directed by Ilesa Duncan; Jon Steinhagen, Music Director. Cast: Anne Acker, Nancy Kolton, Andrew Lambertson, Aaron Minnick, Andrew Nadon, Jim Sherman, Scott J. Sumerak, Amy Steele, Lance D. Taylor, Jeny Wasilewski, Sarah Weis, Bill Zorn.

SONG LIST:      ACT 1   1. Overture (Pegeen & Cast, Offstage) 2. Dreams (Pegeen, Sarah, Honor) 3. You're English, Aren't You? (Jimmy) 4. The Road to Hell (Sean, Michael, Jimmy) 5. Grand Altogether in Balyduff  (Widow Quin, Pegeen, Father Aloysius, Jimmy, Michael, Philly, Villagers) 6. The Ballad of Christy Mahon (Michael, Jimmy, Christy) 7. There's a Great Temptation in a Hero (Widow, Pegeen) 8A. The Lad She Sees (Christy, Pegeen) 8B. Night Music Interlude  (Orchestra & Offstage Chorus) 9. The Old Christy Mahon's No More  (Christy) 10. Do Ya Fancy? (Sara, Honor, Nellie, Widow) 11. Strike a Little Bargain (Widow, Sean)     ACT 2   12A. A Pitiful Stuttering Lout  (Old Mahon)        12B. Christy's Rejoinder   (Christy, Widow) 13. What's a Man Without a Woman?   (Widow, Christy) 14. Festival Music   (Cast, Orchestra) 15A. A Young Irish Woman (Pegeen, Philly, Jimmy, Michael) 15B. Dancing Competition Music (Cast, Orchestra) 16. Playboy of the Western World  (Cast) 17A. The Ballad of Old Mahon  (Old Mahon) 17B. Playboy of the Western World, Offstage Reprise  (Cast) 18A. The Light of Seven Heavens   (Christy, Pegeen) 18B. Connemara   (Christy, Pegeen) 19. Christy's Farewell  (Christy) 20. In the Morning  (Pegeen & Offstage Chorus)

© 2008, Richard B. Evans   |  All contents of this website © (p) Richard B. Evans and Seacastle Music Company   |   email: Richard@RichardBEvans.com