Children's Letters to God

*Children's Letters to God*
Children's Letters to God
Music	David Evans
Lyrics	Douglas J. Cohen
Book	Stoo Hample
Basis	1991 book by Stoo Hample and Eric Marshall
Productions	2004 Off-Broadway

Children's Letters to God was a Drama Desk Award nominated Off-Broadway musical that was based on the best selling book by Stoo Hample, music by David Evans, and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen.^[1]

Summary

The musical is about five young children who are friends that discuss their beliefs, ambitions, uncertainties, and questions common but paralyzing coming from children. Issues brought up in the musical are holidays, loss of a pet, divorces, sibling rivalry, the struggle of being unathletic, and first love. As in concurrence with the book, the show does not directly address religion, but just asks questions about life.^[2]

Production

The show was put on at Lamb's Theatre. The production was directed was Stafford Arima, musical staging by Patricia Wilcox, set design by Anna Louizos, light design by Kirk Bookman, sound by Peter Hylenski, costume design by Gail Brassard, and produced by Carolyn Rossi Copeland. The cast consisted of Gerard Canonico, Sara Kapner, Jimmy Dieffenbach, Andrew Zutty, and Libby Jacobson. Allison Fischer was an understudy in the production.^[3]

Song List

Prologue (Company)
Questions, Questions (Company)
Thirteen (Brett)
Arnold (Iris and Company)
Like Everybody Else (Theo and Company)
Questions for the Rain (Iris and Company)
Ants (Kicker)
A Simple Holiday Song (Company)
Six Hours As A Princess (Joanna)
An Only Child (Kicker and Joanna)
When I Am In Charge (Company)
Daydreams (Company)
Kicker Brown (Theo)
Silly Old Hat (Brett)
How Come? (Company)
Star Letters (Iris, Joanna, Theo)
I Know (Company)
I Know (reprise) (Company)
Joanna's Lament (Joanna) (cut from the original performance, but featured on the soundtrack)

Reception

BroadwayWorld praised the cast's performances, calling the show "clever, funny and musically hip".^[4]

Awards

The show was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ "Creators". childrensletterstogod.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
^ "Samuel French, Inc. The House of Plays & Musical Plays for Over 175 Years". Samuel French, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
^ Jones, Kenneth (30 June 2004). "Children's Letters to God, the Musical, Opens in NYC June 30, Asking the Big Questions". Playbill. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013.
^ Dale, Michael (16 November 2004). "Children's Letters to God: An Answer to a Musical Theatre Lover's Prayer". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-08.

[1] "Creators". childrensletterstogod.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2023-05-08.

[2] "Samuel French, Inc. The House of Plays & Musical Plays for Over 175 Years". Samuel French, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2023-05-08.

[3] Jones, Kenneth (30 June 2004). "Children's Letters to God, the Musical, Opens in NYC June 30, Asking the Big Questions". Playbill. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013.

[4] Dale, Michael (16 November 2004). "Children's Letters to God: An Answer to a Musical Theatre Lover's Prayer". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-08.

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