A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

35mm: A Musical Exhibition

Full-Length Musical  /  2w, 3m plus ensemble

Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
Based on photographs by Matthew Murphy

A picture is worth 1,000 words — what about a song? This intricately woven collection of stories told through song reimagines what the modern American musical can be.

35mm: A Musical Exhibition

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 3m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
35mm: A Musical Exhibition

Details

Summary
A picture is worth 1,000 words — what about a song? Can a picture inspire a song or fifteen? In 35mm, each photo creates an unique song, moments frozen in time; a glimmer of a life unfolding, a glimpse of something happening. A stunning new multimedia musical which explores a groundbreaking new concept in musical theatre... This intricately woven collection of stories told through song reimagines what the modern American musical can be.
History
35mm: A Musical Exhibition made its world premiere at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn, New York on March 12, 2012. Directed by Jeremy Bloom, the production featured Alex Brightman, Ben Crawford, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Lindsay Mendez and Betsy Wolfe. The original cast recording, from Ghostlight Records, was released on August 14, 2012.

WOMAN 1 – plays Woman 1, Image 1, Nightmare, the Lover, Cantus, Watcher, Soprano, Betsy, Nightwalker, Lonely, Jessy, and Chorus

WOMAN 2– plays Woman 2, Photographer, Nightmare, the Broad, Altus, She, Watcher, Les Voix en Dessous, Alto, Lindsay, and the Balladeer

MAN 1– plays Man 1, Image, the Idle Boy, Tenor, His Savior, Watcher, Les Voix en Dessous, Alex, A Friend of Jules and Jessy, and Chorus

MAN 2– plays Man 2, Image, Nightmare, the Manny, Bassus, the Sinner, Watcher, the Cajun, Bass, Jay, Her Mister, Jules, and Chorus

MAN 3– plays Man 3, Image, Nightmare, the Long-Tethered Knight, He, Watcher, Ben, Radio and Chorus

There is a simplified version intended for High Schoolers and teenagers. It includes simplified vocal arrangements, changed lyrics and lowered keys. There is a digital perusal available so your organization can decide if this show will be a good fit.

35mm is meant to be performed by 5 actors, but it may be performed by more. The composer has put together the following notes on adding or subtracting performers:

Ensembles may be omitted entirely (presumably with soloists or accompaniment covering any important missed moments).

Ensembles may also be expanded, in the following ways:

In ensemble singing:
Betsy, sopranos
Lindsay, altos
Alex and Jay, tenors – and when both are singing, Alex is Tenor 1 and Jay is Tenor 2
Ben, baritones and basses.

Transitions may also be skipped.

STOP TIME
This could be a solo where the accompaniment plays the intro section and the solo singer sings “Stop time…” to the end, singing the scattered vocal lines as needed.

CARALEE
An actual “Caralee” may be added at the discretion of the director.

GOOD LADY
Ensemble vocals are optional.

THE SERAPH
“He/she” coming in at the end may omitted.

IMMACULATE DECEPTION
This song may be cut entirely, or divided amongst a much larger ensemble.

LEAVE LUANNE
This song could be divided amongst many solos in keeping with the director’s narrative desires (“Luanne” sings Luanne’s lines; the “Bastard” sings the bastard’s lines, and many narrators could fill in the rest). The two back-up singers can be omitted.

WHY MUST WE TELL THEM WHY
Can be entirely divided amongst a larger company.

HEMMING & HAWING
“Radio” (Betsy) may be cut entirely.

CUT YOU A PIECE
Productions are encouraged to play with gender in this piece, especially with Jules and Jessy (who could be a same-sex couple of any gender)

THE BALLAD OF SARA BERRY
If desired, the balladeer’s narration could be divided amongst many soloists.

35mm is meant to be performed by 5 actors, but it may be performed by more.

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“A thought-provoking, soul-searching exploration of two mediums fused together as one.” – DC Metro Theatre Arts

“The songs are not related except that they are all vibrant expressions of a rainbow of emotions. When pieced together... this musical is a thought-provoking, soul-searching exploration of two mediums fused together as one... There are intense group numbers featuring the powerful ensemble that really move the audience.” – DC Metro Theatre Arts, Read More

“The genius of this show is how Ryan Scott Oliver's music convey's the message of Matthew Murphy's photographs. I was constantly amazed at how the songs really spoke to each picture individually. Ryan's music is a fresh sound that was very enjoyable to listen to.” – Call Me Adam, Read More

“When theater pundits talk about the future of Broadway and the new generation of composers, they're talking about artists like Ryan Scott Oliver... a major new voice in musical theater.” – Entertainment Weekly, Read More

ON BREAKING CHARACTER 

Our Picks for The 2019/20 Season: K-12 Edition
Felicia Lucas
April 23, 2019

Art Begat Art: The Story of Ryan Scott Oliver’s 35MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION
by Stephen Hawthorne
August 19, 2016

A Couple's Collaboration: Ryan Scott Oliver & Matthew Murphy on 35MM
by Ben Coleman
February 12, 2015

Moments Frozen in Time: 35MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION
by Ben Coleman
November 11, 2014

Videos

  • Jay Armstrong Johnson - "Leave Luanne" youtube thumbnail

    Jay Armstrong Johnson - "Leave Luanne"

  • Ryan Scott Oliver discusses "Leave, Luanne" youtube thumbnail

    Ryan Scott Oliver discusses "Leave, Luanne"

  • 35MM: "On Monday" - Britney Coleman youtube thumbnail

    35MM: "On Monday" - Britney Coleman

  • 35MM: "Leave Luanne" - Katie Thompson youtube thumbnail

    35MM: "Leave Luanne" - Katie Thompson

  • 35MM: "The Ballad of Sara Berry" - Lindsay Mendez youtube thumbnail

    35MM: "The Ballad of Sara Berry" - Lindsay Mendez

  • 35MM: "Cut You A Piece" - Alex Brightman youtube thumbnail

    35MM: "Cut You A Piece" - Alex Brightman

  • 35MM: "The Seraph" - Jay Armstrong Johnson youtube thumbnail

    35MM: "The Seraph" - Jay Armstrong Johnson

Show more +

Music

Music Samples

“Stop Time” – Photographer, 4 Images
“Crazytown” – Idle Boy, 4 Nightmares
“Transition 1” – Voice 2, Voice 3
“On Monday” – The Lover
“Caralee” – The Manny
“The Party Goes With You” – The Broad
“Good Lady” – The Long-Tethered Knight, 4 Voices
“Transition 2” – Voice 2
“Make Me Happy” – She
“The Seraph” – The Sinner, His Savior, She, He
“Immaculate Deception” – 5 Observers
“Transition 3” – 5 Voices
“Leave, Luanne” – The Cajun, Les Voix en Dessous
“Mama, Let Me In” – 4 Voices
“Why Must We Tell Them Why? ” – Company
“Twisted Teeth” – Nightwalker, Her Mister
“Hemming & Hawing” – Lonely, Radio
“Transition 4” – 5 Voices
“Cut You A Piece” – Jules, Jessy, A Friend of Jules & Jessy
“Transition 5” – Voice 1, Voice 3, Voice 4, Voice 5
“The Ballad of Sara Berry” – Balladeer, Chorus
“Finale” – Photographer, 4 Images

Keyboard-Conductor
Violin/Viola
Cello
Bass
Drums
Guitar

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Pop/Rock, Country/Western
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo, Medium
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!

1 Keyboard-Conductor
1 Piano-Vocal
6 Vocal Books
1 Violin/Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass
1 Drums
1 Guitar

Digital materials - Images will be vended through a digital download link

6 Vocal Books
1 Keyboard-Conductor
1 Piano-Vocal

Digital materials - Images will be vended through a digital download link

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Ryan Scott Oliver

Ryan Scott Oliver is a Lortel Award-nominated and Kleban Prize, Rodgers, and Larson Award-winning composer and lyricist. He was called “the future of Broadway… a major new voice in musical theatre” (Entertainment Weekly) and is “shaking up musical theater with his dark, twist ...

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Matthew Murphy

Matthew Murphy is an internationally recognized photographer specializing in theater and dance.  He regularly photographs Broadway's biggest hits, including Kinky Boots, Les Miserables, Rocky, After Midnight, and The Phantom of the Opera, among others.  Additional credits inc ...
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