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Synopsis Script, Words, and Music © 2002 by Paul D. Race Act 1: Modern Day In the early 21st century, a family that has just left a funeral enters a strange old homestead that is cluttered with musical instruments, antique furniture and clothing. Ben, a washed-up musician, tells his estranged wife Rhonda that his Aunt Lois wanted him to sort out the family papers. Their children are 11-year-old Elly, college student Stephanie, and James, the married son, a guitar maker. James’ wife Roberta and Stephanie’s school friend Curtis are also along. Elly starts exploring, trying on old clothes, and reading old letters. 1820s Dressed like a pioneer boy, Elly reads a letter from an ancestor whose family ran a toll house and general store on the National Road. Elly nags Ben into singing his song National Road. James offers to build Ben a "good" guitar, but Ben declines, starting a brief argument. 1830s Stephanie finds the wedding dress of a Shawnee ancestor (You Can Change This Land). 1850s Ben learns about the family hiding an escaped slave. Roberta sings Small Kindnesses. 1860s During the Civil War, the family lost a son and turned the house into a hospital (A Mother’s Eyes). 1870s Pioneer traffic on the National Trail inspires the medley We’ll Know It When We See It. 1880s Ancestor Kathleen O’Brien’s family died on the Oregon trail (Yellow and Green are the Colors I Wear). 1890s Ben’s Jewish great-grandmother encountered anti-Semitism when she tried to start a business, but was aided by an unlikely source (Small Kindnesses reprise). 1900s Ben’s grandfather witnessed the Wright Brothers’ early attempts (What Are They Thinking?). 1913 Discussion of the 1913 Dayton flood lead into If the Creek Don’t Rise. As the song finishes, a "modern day" flash flood cuts off the house from the street. Act 2: 1910’s Kathleen’s daughter Erin shared a fishing spot with Henry, a German farm-boy (Fish in the Corn). Later Henry was injured in WWI, but he and Erin married and had three children. 1920s Henry built rental cabins to take advantage of the increased automobile traffic. But he died a few years later, leaving Erin and the children to run the store and campground. 1930s During the depression, Erin fed many hoboes (Long and Open Highway). One turned out to be a former circuit rider. He married Erin and reopened the cabins as a church camp. 1940s The 1941 camp meeting (I’ll Never Be the Same) closed with prayer for the nation (Kyrie). 1950s Erin’s daughter Lois married Harry (Ben’s uncle), and the two experienced some postwar prosperity (We’ll Know It When We See It reprise). 1960s Rhonda, Ben, and Curtis portray Lois, Harry, and son Lewis in a medley of 1960’s domestic dissatisfaction. (Who Taught You How/Invisible Son) 1970s Harry finally sent Lewis to Toronto, to pursue his theatrical ambitions without fear of the draft. 1980s Lewis became a success, but often lamented his exile (Heart of the Heartland). Modern Day Ben reveals that he has actually inherited the property, but he wants James and Roberta to have it. James and Ben reach an understanding. Curtis and Roberta challenge the family to do their part for each other and for the future (Carry the Flame). As the flood recedes, Ben asks Rhonda to take him back. But she questions his commitment, reprising If the Creek Don’t Rise. A medley ends with You Can Change This Land. All material, illustrations, and content of this web site are copyrighted © 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 by Paul D. Race. All rights reserved. For questions, comments, suggestions, trouble reports, etc. about this play or about this web page, please contact us. Return to the Home Page Please Visit Our Other Music Sites