THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO A musical: music by Mike Reid; Libretto by Sarah Schlesinger; based on the film by Maggi Greenwald. Presented as part of the City of London Festival - Bridewell Theatre, London 1 - 26 July, 2003. Director: Carol Metcalfe: Decor: Kate Bannister, Karl Swinyard: Costumes: Martin Robinson: Lighting: Hansjörg Schmidt: Sound: Tony Gayle: Choreography: Sam Spencer Lane: Musical Director: Michael England: Fights: Cameron Kendrick: Assistant director: Paul Griffiths The cast - Kieran Brown, Mark Carroll, Karen Evans, Anna Francolini, Gavin James, Abigail Langham, Jason Lee Scot, Ellen O'Grady, Audrey Palmer, Craig Pinder, Daniel Reeves, Phong Truong, William Wolfe Hogan The American premiere at Steppenwoolf Theatre was nominated for eight Jefferson awards, including Best New Work and Best Musical Production. Grammy winner Mike Reid has written 21 number one songs – including Bonnie Raitt’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’. Sarah Schlesinger is the Chair of Music Theatre at the Tisch School in New York and won the coveted Edward Kleban Award for Most Promising Lyricist for her early work on The Ballad of Little Jo ORIGINAL LONDON CAST • Daniel Reeves - Lawrence Monaghan • Craig Pinder - Judge James Monaghan • Anna Francolini - Josephine Monaghan • Abigail Langham - Kate Monaghan • Jason Lee Scott - Kate's Fiance • William Wolfe Hogan - Photographer • Audrey Palmer - Photographer's Wife • Craig Pinder - Thomas Harrison • Gavin James - Homer Burns • William Wolfe Hogan - Lee Gibbs • Ellen O'Grady - Marian Cummings • Audrey Palmer - Caroline Williams • Karen Evans - Sara Stewart • Samuel Manisty/Monty Tang - Young Tien Mein Wong • Kieran Brown - Jordan Ellis • Mark Carroll - Daniel Leary • Jason Lee Scott - Ernie Stratton • Gavin James - Ethan McClellan • Daniel Reeves - Tommy Kelly • Craig Pinder - Percy Corcoran • William Wolfe Hogan - Clem Byrne • Ellen O'Grady - Elvira • Abigail Langham - Another Whore • Jason Lee Scott - Walter Travers • Phong Troung - Tien Mein Wong • Audrey Palmer - Cora Reilly • Ellen O'Grady - Arla Stratton • Abigail Langham - Jeannie McClellan SYNOPSIS The astonishing true story of Jo Monaghan - a young woman who lived as a man in the silver mines of Idaho in the 1890s. After a disastrous love affair and the birth of son, Josephine Monaghan heads west from Boston with nothing but hope in her pockets. In a desperate act of self-protection she transforms herself into Little Jo, living and working as a man in Silver City. When the mines close, Jo risks losing the community’s grudging acceptance of her and finds her self-belief put to the test when she offers a home to a Chinese orphan. This accessible and appealing new musical weaves a landscape of passion, grit and beauty with an emotional impact that deftly probes the complexities of the human heart. The music ranges from beautiful and lyrical ballads to true toe-tappers, all rooted in the ballads, hymns and drinking songs that form the palette of American folk music.
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