“Your Name On My Lips” is an original story, with a contemporary, classically-infused score, about a young artist fighting to hold on to the love of his life, as the materialistic world tugs at her. Suzanna, a cellist in high school, is college bound. Without the benefit of art education in high school, Sam struggles to get into an art institute, while fighting to hold on to Suzanna, the love of his life, as the materialist world tugs at her. It’s story about love and passion, obsession and commitment. Sam, an artist, learned to love by loving Suzanna. Their childhood friendship turned to romance. Their bond has strong roots, but for Sam it goes even deeper. As they get older, Suzanna and Sam’s image of her, evolve along different paths. It is that “idée fixe”, Sam’s image of Suzanna, which inspires him as an artist, and as a person, and allows him to achieve what he desires. But to actually get it, he must give up believing in the truth he holds most dear.
Unique community opportunity: One of the main characters is an artist (painter) and there is opportunity to incorporate artwork into the set design as a collaboration with the local fine art community,
Minimum cast of 7 with doubling etc
Sam (male) bari-tenor
Suzanna (female) mezzo
Fantasy-Suzanna / guest / girl / nurse (female) soprano (or mezzo)
Phil / Officer / boy (male) tenor (or bari-tenor )
George / Joe /Art Dealer / Doctor (male) tenor
Mother / Beth / Kate (female) mezzo
Father / Jack / Lawyer (male) bari-tenor
CAST DETAILS
Sam - Male, high-school/college-age (younger in one scene). Passionate, intense, emotional.Idealistic artist with a deep-rooted love for Suzanna; Orphaned as a young child. Sam is 14 in the birthday party scene (13 in the hospital prologue).He is 19 in Scene 3; having just finished high school the previous Spring; The show ends almost 3 years later, where he is 21-22.
Suzanna - Female, high-school/college-age (younger in one scene)Sam’s girlfriend, two years younger. High achieving student. Suzanna is 12 in the birthday party scene (11 in the hospital prologue). She turning 17 in Scene 3; at the beginning of her Senior year of high school. The show ends almost 3 years later, where she is about 19 1/2. (Sam and Suzanna are one grade apart, but almost 2 years age difference.)
Fantasy-Suzanna Female, college-age. Conjured by Sam in Suzanna’s absence; His “idée fixe”. Played by another actress; (looks similar to Suzanna). Her age is that of Suzanna, when she went to college.Sam’s thinking about Suzanna; not someone different or better than her. Her presence acts to keep Sam true to Suzanna when they are apart.
Phil - Male, college-age (age 18 when we meet him; 20 at end)A college student from a well-to-do family in New York.
Kate - Female high-school/college age, nursing student, in Westburgh. Sexy and not afraid to show it to get Sam’s attention (but not “slutty”) Suzanna’s grade; but almost a year older. (ranges 17-20)
Mother - Female, adultSuzanna’s mother; Values education, wealth and security.Mid 30’s when Suzanna is young; about 40 by the end. They had Suzanna young.
Father - Male, adult. Suzanna’s father; A warm-hearted hard worker. He works at the bank.Mid 30’s when Suzanna is young; about 40 by the end. They had Suzanna young.
Beth - Female, college-age. Suzanna’s college roommate and friend.Sweet, cute.Jack Male, college ageSam’s friend; Works at a family owned hardware store. Jack is Sam’s age. 19-22.
George - Male, college-age (younger in one scene)Arrogant and spoiled son of a banker, in Westburgh.George is almost 13 in the birthday party scene; Then ages 17-19.
Joe - Male, college-age (ages 18-20)A college student from California. Sings in rock band. + assorted minor roles
piano (+optional cello and percussion)
