A Real American Musical
Woody Guthrie’s American Song—an ensemble musical based on Guthrie's songs and writings—had its world premiere on July 20th, 1988. Twenty-four years later, the show opened in a concert staging at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, California, to coincide with Woody’s 100th birthday on July 14, 2012. The show exploded from the stage, and if anything, felt more urgent and more exciting than it had nearly a quarter century ago. Woody’s message hasn’t lost a drop of relevance, and his music still packs a wallop.
featured
songs and writings by
Woody Guthrie
conceived and adapted by
Peter Glazer
orchestrations and vocal arrangements by
Jeff Waxman
“A standing ovation is a foregone conclusion.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“An exuberant musical celebration of our nation, our history, and our shared humanity.”
“...manages to find both the high beauty and earthy humor of Guthrie's love affair with America.”
—Seattle Times
“...manages to find both the high beauty and earthy humor of Guthrie's love affair with America.”
—New York Times
“A dazzling, dizzying explosion of Guthrie's genius.”
“An inspirational portrait of a writer whose work reflected and finally transcended the voice of the common people in this land.”
—Boston Globe
“An inspirational portrait of a writer whose work reflected and finally transcended the voice of the common people in this land.”
—Chicago Tribune