SKU: A0.739501

A great story about one of the 20th century’s greatest storytellers. Carefully researched, yet full of fun, this entertaining musical tells the story of the early part of CS Lewis' life from the time of his mother's death in 1908 until his arrival as a student at Oxford in 1916. (Throughout his life CS Lewis was always known as Jack) This new work was premiered at the end of 2019 at the annual CS Lewis Festival held in Ireland. (CS Lewis’ birthplace) It proved to be a great success and was very enthusiastically received. Synopsis Jack’s Journey is a whimsical re-imagining of the childhood journeys of CS Lewis - each of the seven songs representing a stop along the way to his eventual career as the writer of the Narnia Chronicles. The story is told through music relating his memories and significant episodes from his schooldays up to his entry into Oxford. Living almost entirely in his imagination as a small boy, the seeds of the world of Narnia are already beginning to grow in his writing and drawings. Little Lea, his childhood home, provides the setting for the early scenes. Following the death of his mother the young Jack has his first experience of school and England. He endures with fortitude the harsh regime of boarding school and begins to recognise the value of friendship, mutual support and the courage that children can show in adversity. He returns to Ireland and to Campbell College – a much more positive experience. Illness brings his attendance at Campbell to an end. Returning to Little Lea, Jack imagines the world of fairies and dwarves, a world beyond our own. He returns to school in England and comes under the influence of a variety of teachers. Expelled from Malvern, Jack next falls under the influence of his great mentor, Professor Kirkpatrick – the model for the Professor of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Jack’s Journey concludes with the anticipated arrival of a great hero, the hero of the first of the Narnian Chronicles, Aslan, the lion. ‘Jack’s Journey’ gives opportunity for young actors, (supported if desired by adults, taking the parts of the grown-ups.) There are short dramatic scenes, plenty of chorus work, opportunity for choreography and many solo spots for vocalists in the songs which are milestones in the story. List of Songs (the sample pages and mp3 file gives a chance to see and hear the first page of most of the songs) 1 Soft through the window 2 Kingdom of Mourne 3 Little Lea 4 Campbell Days - Boy to the left, Boy to the right 5 The Dandy's song 6 The Scholar's song 7 Strength and honour As will be evident from the above, there is plenty of flexibility regarding the scale of the performance. ‘Jack’s Journey’ may be staged using relatively modest outlay – for example, the premiere did not have a set because the venue for the performance was an actual railway station! The piece certainly allows for imaginative approaches to design and staging. In terms of the additional challenges presented by 2020 the length of the musical at 40 minutes helps in delivering a shorter theatrical experience. Also, the fully digital download of all performing materials allows for distribution via email Indeed the whole show could be effectively recorded and presented online as well as in person.

SKU: A0.572462

Written June 2, 2018, this an original piano composition in a romantic style journeying through the keys of C, A, E, F, and Dm. James Michael Stevens is a prolific composer residing in Nashville, TN and serves as the music department chairman of Welch College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd8XnCs9gps