The conference, which developed the new musicals Tales of the City and Picnic at Hanging Rock last summer, will run June 26-July 16. Paulette Haupt serves as artistic director.
Buddy's Tavern, penned by Raymond De Felitta (libretto), Alison Hubbard (lyrics) and Kim Oler (score), was recently named a winner of the 2010 Richard Rodgers Award. According to the O'Neill, "Buddy’s Tavern tells the story of an Italian-American factory worker on Staten Island, and his quest to run his own business – a bar where he can sing his heart out to his customers. Family pressures, race relations, unexpected love, and the struggle to achieve one’s dreams, come alive in this new romantic comedy." The musical is based on the film "Two Family House." The work will be presented June 26, 27, 30 and July 2.
Clear is penned by Tony Award winner Stew and Paul Oakley Stovall (score), with additional music by Irv Johnson and Stephen Goers. "Clear sings a tale of destiny, luck, and the commonality of the human experience. From the slave castles of Ghana to a rooftop in Sweden; from the shores of Lake Michigan to the streets of Seoul, our storytellers continue to find that change is inevitable... and (r)evolutionary. A spiritual quest in our decidedly computerized times, Clear fuses music, memory and pure love to remind us how best to live life." Presentations will take place July 3, 4, 7 and 9.
The final presentation will be Eden, by Mel Marvin (score) and Jonathan Levi (libretto/lyrics). "Eden is a musical of chaos in two acts, a story of natural and unnatural disaster. Ranging between the Scylla of Hurricane Katrina and the Charybdis of the War in Iraq, Eden follows the story of six characters in search of survival, who bump up against one another and come away with varying degrees of triumphs and bruises." Public presentations will be held July 10, 11, 14 and 16.
Single tickets to the Music Theatre Conference performances go on sale to the general public June 9. Member tickets begin sale May 17. Phone (860) 443-1238 or visit www.theoneill.org. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center was founded in 1964 and is based in Waterford, CT. Programs at the Center include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home, is also owned and operated by the group.
