U N I T Y – from idea to reality.
I remember well when the first fragment of U N I T Y came into my heart and my head, inspired by a crisis to one of my friends. This is so many years ago, but since then the idea has grown to write a musical about the story of mankind, more, about the meaning and purpose of life or at least the search for it. There’s still a long way to go; a musical is a big thing to put up, it is demanding much, and involving many. But with the help of many it will come true – and if you are willing to take a chance: come and join us!
PART 1
1.Ever since the beginning of time
It is dark on stage when the music starts to play. A single limelight reveals a young lady (soprano). “Let us see if we can find the thread of human mystery, it has been so deeply, it is very hard to see” she sings, and thereby leading us to
The spark of life
The singer continues to describe the creation of galaxies, stars and the earth, while it is getting lighter and lighter.” Multiplication of new constellations, elliptical orbits of earth have begun!”
2. Earthquake and fire
The elements are roaring and raging while the earth is getting shaped and created. Fire against water, stormy winds are howling, and volcanoes are erupting ashes and glowing lava. The choir performs this part, while the drama group is acting as elements.
4. Let there be light!
Two souls, a female and a male are gazing at the young and beautiful earth, and are getting attracted. “I made a decision, …., my spirit was grounded, bound to the earth, …” (baritone/soprano or tenor/mezzo-soprano).
PART 2
5. The story of man I / Spherical
This part is the connecting link between the different parts, and will appear several times (with different words and meanings). A couple of male and female singers are singing, in a monotone, telegraphic-like stile, while the choir performs “Spherical”, a kind of requiem without words. But this part can also be performed in other ways, with or without lyrics, as long it remains to be a connecting part.
6. (Hall of) Power
A dictator, a warlord or something like that tells us about his glorious deeds and his power. He is hailed and admired by his followers. “In halls of power I stand alone, nobody else can take my throne”. A baritone, accompanied by the choir, sings this part.
7. The slave song
A prisoner lies in a dark and moist hole, and complains about his fate. He starts to sing reserved and carefully, but gets more and more despaired and angry. “They beat me and treat me as bad as you see, they have stolen my health and my life”.Meanwhile, the music goes on just as calm as it started and is only slightly changing character or expression. (tenor and choir).
8. Where is Jesus?
When the slave song ends, a young lady (maybe dressed as a hippie from the Sixties) is entering the stage. She shouts (sings) out about all evil and unrighteousness done to people through the ages. ”Where is Jesus, where is Buddha, where is Allah now?” she accuses, pointing at the (still visible) prison.
9. The story of man II
10. Doomsday polka
A larger group of female singers/actors are appearing, in flattering robes and with a weird look in their eyes. “Everybody listen, doom is at the door” they are singing in a bit hysteric and anxious way, while they are moving around on stage.
11. The end is very near
When the choir is leaving the stage, a young lady stands alone. She wonders about the doomsday-preachers warning, and comes to the conclusion that she won’t join them. “But me, I do not trust your writings in the dust” Afterwards comes an instrument part, that goes over in
12. Somewhere out there
This part is a beautiful duet between a tenor and a soprano. Two souls are yearning for something out there: “… must be something to resolve the problems of good and evil in everyone”. (They may stand in front of a picture that shows the waste cosmos).
13. The story of man III
14. Money games
The choir is singing about money, “circling and floating around”, while a drama (without words) is performed on stage. (This drama may make fun about peoples love for money, it may give a critical view at business, or something else that is related with money.)
15. I conquered the world
Inventing and exploring are some of the abilities of man. 4 male/female singers have a kind of competition, and are telling about their adventures and glorious deeds. But the choir is asking “did nobody help you?”
16. We are the people
The choir is singing about the hardworking and poor people, which fate it is to support the welfare of others. But “anger is growing, patience is gone, just when you think your battle is won”. History tells us that it is neither right nor wise to forget those who suffer.
17. Revolution
Things have gone too far, and revolution is a fact. “We don’t want to be the mats outside your door!” The choir is singing this part. (A drama part at this place could be inspired by for ex. the French revolution)
18. We had a dream
But what happened after 1789, and 1918, or later, when kings had to abdicate and democracy won? Why are we still not happy, not satisfied? “ … there is a sense of something missing, and emptiness inside…” This song is a soprano/alt duet.
19. The story of man IV
20. Folks are different
Choir and solo singers are describing different people, as one may see them on the street, while some actors in different costumes are walking/acting on stage. “Some people whistle and sing all the time, some people meet you with riddle and rime”.
21. Metropolitan
About 50% of all humans are living in cities, but many of them are feeling lonely. Individualism is very common in our days, but who may help those who are getting lost between “the giant blocks of glass and steel”? (Performed by choir and soprano)
22. Prayer
“Father, dear father, where is my home, why I have to be all alone” A kind of evening prayer of a lonely human (soprano), while the night falls. But not so alone: with the next song is arriving a visitor…
23. I hope you will come today
A baritone sings this (happy!) song, and he invites the lonely soul to join him:” If you want to be free from your troubles and fears, just come to us , we’ll wipe out your tears”. He makes different kind of offers: “ love and compassion, therapy groups, yogis, crystals, and books, the very best…”
24. The story of man V
25. When the hunt begins
It`s something special when a crowd is gathering, it may be in war or at more peacefully occasions. It may be compared with a (fox) hunt: amazing and thrilling, but also frightening for those who stand aside.” We are moving like a tsunami…when the hunt begins the heart, the heart beats faster.” (Performed by choir).
26. Tundra
Through history, many have been slain, persuaded and also tortured. While this instrumental piece is performed, a row of victims will pass by, silently, wearing clothes or something else that will it show who they are.
27. Is there a heart in you
Young men/women are teasing/ mobbing an individual of those that just had passed, and the singer is asking them “ is there a heart in you”, accusing them for their cruelty.
28. PART 3
29. The story of man VI
30. In search for duty
A man (baritone or tenor) is singing this song. “…he must search inside (for the treasure that he has lost) .…(then) the goal of his life is to live like a song.”
31. Dharma
Dharma has different meanings, but one of its meanings is the right way of living, a way that benefits all and everyone. “We have strength and courage for the challenges we meet, but our weapons will be gentle, sweet and kind” …Let love and peace rule our ways, every word, every deed…” sings the choir. In its meaning this is the very essence of non-violence.
32. Unity (chaotic)
After a short dialog/drama the choir starts to sing this song. In the beginning harmonic and nice, then more and more chaotic, it will thereby show the desolate situation for mankind in world of today. The song stops as one or two singers are screaming out loud, and a discussion starts between several people:
“How can we make a better world”.
33. Row/Unity
One singer starts to sing this song, as he/she tries to give an answer/ a solution to the questions made in the former song/discussion. The song will involve more and more of the singers, and they are ending up with singing “Unity”, this time harmonic and complete.
34. Epilogue
The singer from the first song is alone on stage. She is using the same melody as in the first song, and comes to the conclusion that the very essence of life is love.
And love is also the last word in “Unity”.