''ACE'' is a
musical
Musical is the adjective of music.
Musical may also refer to:
* Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance
* Musical film
Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), charac ...
with a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and
Richard Oberacker
Richard Oberacker is an American composer, lyricist, conductor, and playwright best known for composing and co-writing the musical theatre, musical ''Bandstand (musical), Bandstand'' with writing partner Robert Taylor. He also conducts for Cirque ...
, and music by Oberacker. The story is about a boy, separated from his mother, who discovers his past and himself through a series of dreams about a
flying ace
A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviation, military aviator credited with shooting down a certain minimum number of enemy aircraft during aerial combat; the exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ...
. It was inspired by Robert Taylor's father training to be a pilot, and his mother having a near-fatal bout with depression.
The musical premiered
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Missouri, in 2006 and has played in several regional productions.
Background and productions
Taylor and Oberacker met and began to discuss the show while touring in 2003 with ''The Lion King''.
Parts of ''Ace'' were shown at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's (NAMT) Festival of New Musicals in New York in September 2005.
Cheyenne Jackson starred as Ace, with
Christiane Noll featured.
The musical debuted at
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Missouri, from September 6 through October 1, 2006. It was directed by
Stafford Arima and choreographed by Andrew Palermo. It then played at
Playhouse in the Park in
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...
, from October 17 through November 17, 2006. This production was also directed by Arima and choreographed by Palermo. Another production by the same team played at the
Old Globe Theatre
The Old Globe is a professional theatre company in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. It produces about 15 plays and musicals annually in summer and winter seasons. Plays are performed in three separate theatres in the complex, which is collec ...
in
San Diego, California
San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
from January 13 through February 18, 2007. The cast included
Michael Arden as John Robert and Darren Ritchie as Ace.
The
Signature Theatre in
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington County, or simply Arlington, is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of Virginia. The county is located in Northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from Washington, D.C., the nati ...
production ran from August 26 through September 28, 2008. Directed by
Eric D. Schaeffer and choreographed by Karma Camp, the cast featured
Jill Paice
Jill Paice is an American actress best known for her musical theatre roles. She originated the roles of Laura Fairlie in the musical ''The Woman in White'' in the West End (2004) and on Broadway (2005); Niki in ''Curtains'' on Broadway (2006); ...
,
Emily Skinner,
Jim Stanek
James Stanek (born August 5, 1971) is an American theatre, film, and television actor.
Early life
Stanek was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland and raised in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He attended the ...
, and
Christiane Noll. In the Signature production, the boy Billy is renamed Danny, and the past is revealed through diaries rather than through dreams.
Taylor and Oberacker spent the next several years further revising the script, story, and orchestrations. Oberacker reported in interviews that this heavily altered show was finally the script they wanted. Of particular note, the main character Danny's age was changed from 10 to 21. This revised musical premiered as a fully staged concert production at the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Paradise, Nevada, United States. The campus is about east of the Las Vegas Strip. It was formerly part of the ...
' Judy Bayley Theater for a two-performance special event on August 22 and 23, 2015. It was directed by David H. Bell.
Plot synopsis
;Act I
In
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an Independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Miss ...
, in 1952, ten-year-old Danny Lucas telephones for help because his mother won't wake up. His mother, Elizabeth Lucas, has swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills and is taken to the psychiatric ward. The caseworker from social services, Mrs. Crandall, places an angry Danny in foster care ("It's Better This Way"). Mrs. Crandall informs Elizabeth that contact with Danny will be limited to gifts and letters. Elizabeth returns home determined to correct her past mistakes and get Danny back ("Fill In The Blank"). She writes to Danny asking him to follow her clues to their conclusion ("Letter From Elizabeth").
Danny's foster family is the Milligans, a childless couple awaiting a baby. Mrs. Crandall delivers, from Danny's mother, a model plane and instructions to speak with the elderly Harold Bixby. Through Mr. Bixby's remembrances, we are introduced to John Robert Anderson - a World War I fighter pilot ("In These Skies") who meets ("In This Moment") and falls in love with Ruth Whitlow ("In These Skies" (Reprise)).
At school, the troubled and angry Danny meets Emily. He tells Emily about the 'clues' from his mother. Emily enthusiastically offers to help him solve the mystery ("Now I'm On Your Case"). Mrs. Milligan struggles with baking Toll House cookies. She equates her success as a mother with successfully baking the cookies ("Make It From Scratch").
Elizabeth sends Danny the diaries of Ruth Whitlow. Through the diaries, we see that Ruth's relationship with John Robert Anderson leads to marriage ("Be My Bride"). John Robert is stationed in France. Ruth writes of her longing for him and her pride in his service ("Ruth's Letters"). John Robert challenges a hostile airman to abet and teaches him a lesson ("Anique's Tavern Song"). Another letter from Ruth reveals that she is pregnant ("I'm Going To Have This Child"). John Robert continues his service in France ("The Dogfight") and his life ends there ("Act I Finale").
;Act II
Danny is learning to trust his foster parents, the Milligans ("Now I Know"). Another package arrives from his mother. Through Ruth's diaries, we meet her young son Charlie Anderson, nicknamed "Ace". She sings of her dream for her son to be the aviator and hero that his father was. Charlie dreams of becoming an aeronautical engineer ("Soaring Again"). Also in this package is a letter from Elizabeth and her yearbook from St. Louis University 1935, and a photo. Through these items, Elizabeth Lucas and Charlie "Ace" Anderson are shown as they meet ("It's Just A Matter Of Time"; "I Know It Can Be Done") and fall in love ("Missing Pieces"). The photo of Ace is the first time that Danny has seen his father; his mother has previously refused to speak about him ("So That's Him").
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Charlie, fueled by his mother's desires for him, joins the Air Force. Elizabeth opposes this but agrees to marry him before he leaves. While in training, Charlie feels the spirit of his father John Robert ("Father And Son"). Charlie is asked to join the "Flying Tigers" - a voluntary assignment. Elizabeth is furious that Charlie would put himself in danger for a voluntary mission. Charlie feels connected to the father he never knew and believes that he is making the best choice. Elizabeth, on the other hand, feels that the stories of John Robert's heroism have led Ace to make a bad choice. They argue and separate in anger.
Ace joins the Flying Tigers in China ("We're The Only Ones"). Ruth, Elizabeth, Ace, and Danny each consider the emotional changes they are experiencing. Elizabeth reveals that she is pregnant ("Seeing Thing In A Different Light"). Ace perishes in the skies over Siam. Elizabeth sings of her overwhelming shock, anger, and inability to forgive ("That's What It Should Say"). "Ace" speaks to Danny. He tells Danny that he can "Choose To Fly" in many ways, in his heart and mind, not necessarily or only in a plane.
Danny is reunited with his Mother. He understands his past and their relationship is healed ("Chose To Fly"; "Finale").
:''This summary is based on the 2008 Signature Theatre version of the musical.''
Characters and cast
Original Cast
* Billy -
Noah Galvin
Noah Egidi Galvin (born May 6, 1994) is an American actor and singer. He portrayed Kenny O'Neal in the ABC sitcom '' The Real O'Neals'' and was the second person to perform the title role in the Broadway musical ''Dear Evan Hansen''. He also pl ...
* Mrs. Crandall/Clara Whitlow - Traci Lyn Thomas
* Elizabeth -
Jessica Boevers
Jessica Boevers (born August 25, 1972) is an American actress who has appeared in a number of Broadway productions, Off-Broadway productions, films, and television.
Early life
Boevers attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservator ...
* Louise - Amy Bodnar
* Emily - Gabrielle Boyadjian
* Edward/Stampley - Duke Lafoon
* Ace - Matt Bogart
* John Robert - Chris Peluso
* Ruth - Heather Ayers
* Lt. Sanders/Tim Sullivan - Richard Barth
* Colonel Whitlow/Chennault - James Judy
* Tennaman/Stein - Kevin Reed
* Cooper/Myron - Danny Rothman
* Teacher/Ensemble - Susan Kokot Stokes
* Nurse/Ensemble - Kelli Barrett
* Anique/Ensemble - Gabrielle Stravelli
* School Bully/Young Charlie - Jimmy McEvoy
2008 Cast at the Signature Theatre
* Danny - Dalton Harrod
* Mrs. Crandall/Clara Whitlow - Florence Lacey
* Elizabeth -
Jill Paice
Jill Paice is an American actress best known for her musical theatre roles. She originated the roles of Laura Fairlie in the musical ''The Woman in White'' in the West End (2004) and on Broadway (2005); Niki in ''Curtains'' on Broadway (2006); ...
* Louise -
Emily Skinner
* Emily - Angelina Kelly
* Edward/Stampley - Duke Lafoon
* Ace - Matthew Scott
* John Robert -
Jim Stanek
James Stanek (born August 5, 1971) is an American theatre, film, and television actor.
Early life
Stanek was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland and raised in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He attended the ...
* Ruth -
Christiane Noll
* Lt. Sanders/Sullivan - Richard Barth
* Col.Whitlow/Chennault - George Dvorsky
* Tenneman - Jason Reiff
* Harold Bixby/Cooper/Myron - Danny Rothman
* Mrs.Gebert/Clara -
Tracy Lynn Olivera
Tracy Lynn Olivera is an American actress. It has been said that her "versatility as an actress makes her a DC theatre force of nature." As a jazz singer, she frequently performs with pianist Lenny Williams and her solo cd is entitled ''Becaus ...
* Nurse/Librarian - Elizabeth Share
* Anique - Gabrielle Stravelli
* Sidekick - Brooke Bloomquist
* Young Charlie - Ari Goldbloom-Helzner
* Bully - William Beech
2015 Cast at UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre
* Danny Lucas - Sam Cordes
* Ruth - Tina Walsh
* Ace - Devin Archer
* John Robert - Joey DeBenedetto
* Young Ruth - Niki Scalera
* Elizabeth - Nicole Kaplan
Supporting Cast:
* Bruce Ewing
* Jeff Leibow
* Nikka Wahl
* Lisa Louise Orchard
* Brian Miller
* Greg Kata
* Jesse Bourque
* Rochelle Collins
* Sydney Peca Story
* Gary Easton
Musical numbers (2006-07)
* In These Skies
* Life Can Be Cruel
* It Took This Moment
* Make It From Scratch
* Be My Bride
* Letter From The Front
* The Dogfight
* Soaring Again
* It's Just A Matter Of Time
* I Know It Can Be Done
* Missing Pieces
* Sooner Or Later
* In These Skies (reprise)
* We're The Only Ones
* Seeing Things In A Different Light
* That's That It Should Say
* Finale Sequence
Awards and nominations
''ACE'' was nominated for twelve 2006
Kevin Kline Awards
The Kevin Kline Awards were started in 2006, to recognize outstanding achievement in professional theatre in the Greater St. Louis area. The awards are sponsored by PTAC, the Professional Theatre Awards Council, and were named in honor of Kevin Kli ...
, winning six: Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor, Outstanding New Play or Musical;
Marie Anne Chimento, Outstanding Costume Design; Chris Akerlind, Outstanding Lighting Design; David Korins, Outstanding Set Design; John H. Shivers and David Patridge, Outstanding Sound Design; and
Noah Galvin
Noah Egidi Galvin (born May 6, 1994) is an American actor and singer. He portrayed Kenny O'Neal in the ABC sitcom '' The Real O'Neals'' and was the second person to perform the title role in the Broadway musical ''Dear Evan Hansen''. He also pl ...
, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical. It also won the Mickey Kaplan New American Play prize.
References
{{Reflist
External links
SynopsisReview from Broadway World
2006 musicals
Aviation musicals