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ROOMS: A ROCK ROMANCE begins in late 1970's Glasgow where Monica, an ambitious singer/songwriter meets Ian, a reclusive rocker. The two quickly become entangled creatively and romantically. Their music takes them first to London and ultimately to New York City, where they discover the vibrant new music scene and create an intimate partnership, their love deepening while their personalities drive them apart. A five-piece rock band accompanies these two characters as they search for the balance between ambition and happiness.
NYC: Late night, September 1980. As Monica struggles to write lyrics to a new song, she is interrupted by a knock at the door. Her unexpected guest is Ian, who she hasn't seen in almost 3 years (ROOMS). NYC melts into Glasgow 1977 as Monica recalls their first encounter (STEPS 1). After Ian is hired by Monica to write music to her lyrics for a song commissioned for Hazel Katz's Bat Mitzvah, he gives her a glimpse into both his talent and his unusual view of life (THE MUSIC). Monica leaves their meeting impressed and energized by their creative partnership and where it might lead (BRING THE FUTURE FASTER). Ian journeys to Monica's upper-middle-class home (STEPS 2) to deliver the music for the Bat Mitzvah song. Thrilled with the results, Monica invites Ian to stay for Sabbath dinner (FRIDAY NIGHT DRESS). At the temple, Monica anxiously waits for Ian, who arrives late and inebriated (PACING IN A ROOM) for their Bat Mitzvah gig (SCOTTISH JEWISH PRINCESS). Their creative partnership is solidified when they write a new song together (I LOVE YOU FOR ALL TIME) which they perform at the Rum Room Talent Night, winning them a trip to London (LET'S GO TO LONDON). Immersed in the burgeoning punk scene of London, Monica lands a record contract and names their punk duo The Diabolicals. They record a single which climbs to Number One on the charts (ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING) and are then invited by their record company to perform at CBGB's in New York. Their relationship intensifies as they prepare to conquer the city (LET'S LEAVE LONDON) and they are enthralled by the excitement of New York and their new relationship (NYC FOREVER!). In New York, Ian's drinking starts to take its toll, culminating in his missing their all-important gig at CBGB. Monica is forced to perform on her own at the club (THE DIABOLICAL) where she is booed off the stage. Later that night, Monica informs Ian that she has decided to part ways with the LITTLE BIT OF LOVE that remains. When Ian protests and tries to persuade Monica to reconsider, she reveals to him that she's pregnant and has decided not to keep the baby. Ian decides to leave NYC and faces his FEAR OF FLYING as he makes his way back home to Glasgow. Monica has a shaky start to her solo career with a cabaret gig (HAPPINESS) as Ian struggles with his mother's death. Monica writes to Ian, but he doesn't respond. After hitting rock bottom, Ian builds up the courage to get CLEAN over the ensuing years and Glasgow melts back into NYC 1980. Monica wonders why Ian never responded to her attempts to communicate with him (ROOMS 2) and then reveals that there is someone else in her life (STEPS 3), Monica and Ian's 2-year-old son (MY CHOICE). After the initial shock of this news, Ian comes to terms with his feelings for Monica and being a father in their renewed relationship. He picks up his guitar and helps Monica complete the song that she was writing when he first knocked on the door (NEW SONG FOR SCOTLAND) as they pick up the pieces of their past and step into the future (FINALE).
Scene transitions and changes are continuous, without pause in music and with little or no blackout. The actors handle props, and clothing.
The band is visible on stage, and if possible the music director is the Rum Room announcer.
Paul was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. Rooms a rock romance was nominated for 5 Helen Hayes Awards and 3 Outer Critics Circle awards, including Best New Musical and Best Score (on or off Broadway) produced at New World Stages, NYC, directed by Scott Schwartz. Paul also wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Bright Lights Big City, which was presented at the New York Theater Workshop, directed by Michael Greif, The Guggenheim Museum (NYC), the Prince Music Theater (Philadelphia), and Harvard University. The CD of the show, starring Patrick Wilson, Sherie Renee Scott, Jesse L. Martin, and Christine Ebersole is available on Sh-K-Boom Records and the live rights are available through The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization. Goodman's other produced musicals include: Son of a Stand Up Comedian (MetroStage, 2010), Him & Her (Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia, New End Theatre in London, New York International Fringe Festival - Best Performance Award), Alive in the World (New York Musical Theater Festival, The Zipper Theatre, NYC), God Save the New Wave (The Bottom Line and The West Bank Theater, NYC), Metropolitan Music (Marymount Manhattan College, NYC), Just East of Broadway (The Duplex, NYC). Paul Scott Goodman was the first recipient of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame Best New Songwriter Award, first solo recipient of the Jonathan Larson Foundation Award, winner of the Backstage Bistro Award for Domestica (book, music and lyrics), and winner of the Gilman Gonzalez-Falla Theater Foundation Commendation Award. In London, Paul's musicals have been produced at the National Theater, the New End Theater, and twice on BBC TV. He has performed with John Cougar Mellancamp, Joan Armatrading, David Essex, and The Average White Band. He lives in Soho, Manhattan with his wife and three children. www.paulscottgoodman.com
Rooms a rock romance was nominated for 3 Outer Circle Critics Awards 2009, including Best Off Broadway Musical, and 5 Helen Hayes Awards 2009, including Best Musical and Best Play or Musical. ROOMS was presented at New World Stages (NYC 2009); MetroStage (Alexandria, VA 2008); Geva Theater (Rochester, NY 2008); Zipper Theater (NYC 2006); New York Musical Theater Festival (NYC 2005), can currently be seen around the country (roomsmusical.com) and the Off-Broadway Cast Album Recording is available from Time-Life. Miriam also wrote the book for Son of a Stand Up Comedian presented at MetroStage (April 2010). She wrote the book and directed the musical HIM & HER, which won a NYC International Fringe Festival 2002 award, and was also produced at the Prince Music Theater (Philadelphia 2007), the New End Theatre (London 2006), Theater One (NYC 2003), and Musical TheaterWorks (NYC). She also wrote the book for Easterhouse, presented at the Eugene O'Neill Cabaret Conference, 2009. Her other works have been performed at the New York Theater Workshop (I'VE GOT TO SEE YOU AGAIN by Grammy winner Jesse Harris, recorded by Norah Jones for her Grammy Award album), the Bottom Line, the Cherry Lane Theater, and Circle Rep East. She is the recipient of a Stella Adler Talent Scholarship, and the Allan S. Gordon Foundation Performing Arts Program Award for THE KID WHO RAN FOR PRESIDENT. Her training includes the London Academy of Dramatic Arts, Anthony Hopkins, Alfred Molina, Wynn Handman, Austin Pendleton, and has performed in the Yiddish Theater. Miriam is writer and lyricist with Wendy Federman for a new musical, NOT FOR BETTER.
ROOMS
a rock romance
Music and Lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman
Book by Paul Scott Goodman & Miriam Gordon
Arrangements & Orchestrations by Jesse Vargas
Off-Broadway Production produced by Van Hill Entertainment at New World Stages
World Premiere produced by MetroStage, Alexandria, VA (Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director) and Geva Theatre Center (Mark Cuddy, Artistic Director)
Originally presented in the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival
"Original Off-Broadway Cast Album Recording available from Time-Life."
MONICA: Early 20's. Monica is a force of nature. Her passion draws people towards her whims. She is not savvy, sophisticated or street-smart, but she is driven. Her boundless energy makes her fluid and quick in movement, not earthbound. She is very attractive but not necessarily beautiful, and neither too thin nor overweight. She has a true talent for singing and a way with words; whatever she lacks in talent, she makes-up for in personality. She is an entertainer. She dresses with fun and flair. Her favorite performers are Bette Midler, Anthony Newley, Elton John, and of course, Barbra Streisand.
IAN: Early 20's. Ian's outwardly confident and physically loose demeanor and swagger mask many insecurities. He may be cocky, sarcastic and cynical on the surface, but inside he is extremely vulnerable and frightened. Handsome, precocious, talented, witty, charming, he is also edgy, dark, troubled and brooding. He is serious about his music. He dresses daily in trademark black jeans. His favorite performers are Springsteen, Dylan, McCartney, and of course, Lennon.
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Drums
Keyboard
Bass
1
April 1 - 2, 2013
Jurick Design
Gainsville, FL 32607
April 23 - May 15, 2013
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London, UK SW10 9ED
May 2 - 12, 2013
Winnipeg Studio Theatre
Winnipeg, MB, CA, R3P 2N4
July 6 - August 11, 2013
Broken Nose Theatre
Chicago, IL 60657
August 10 - 25, 2013
Bad Habit Productions
Boston, MA 2127
