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"Sir John A. Macdonald" The Musical

by Gord Carruth

 Canadian ACTRA award-winning playwright & composer

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  • The story of a man who overcame deep personal tragedy, his own devils, and political challenges to bring together men of vision and forge a new nation.

  • The story of political scandal, of treason, of the trial of Louis Riel.

  • The story of how Canada was saved from annexation by the United States.

"Carruth is a very talented composer, especially for musical theatre"

                                                   

- Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio Critic

 

“Much to admire in the book, the music and Andrew Galligan’s fine performance in the title role.”

 

- Iris Winston, Capital Critics Circle

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Cast

MALES:

N.B. Unless otherwise indicated the males should have a baritone range

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  • Sir John A. Macdonald: Prime Minister (High baritone)

  • George-Étienne Cartier: Politician (Slight French accent required)

  • Thomas D’Arcy McGee: Poet & Politician (Must have an Irish accent, tenor)

  • Robert Baldwin: Politician

  • Louis Lafontaine: Politician (French accent required)

  • George Brown: Politician and publisher

  • Alexander Galt: Politician

  • Edward Blake: Politician

  • Joseph Howe: Politician

  • Alexander Campbell: John A.’s law partner and later Politician

  • Hewitt Bernard: John A.’s brother-in law and Chief of Staff

  • Wilfrid Laurier: Politician

  • Judge Hugh Richardson: The Louis Riel Trial

  • Louis Riel: Leader of the Métis (Should be bilingual)

  • Charles: The steward

  • Sandy Laird: Member of the St Andrew’s Society (Scottish accent preferable)

 

N.B. some of the above roles will double as

  • Members of the Kingston St. Andrews Society

  • Liberal Caucus Members

  • Reporters

  • Doctor

  • Constable

 

FEMALES:

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  • Eliza Grimason (the innkeeper) (Alto)

  • Margaret Greene (John A.’s sister-in-law) (Soprano or Alto)

  • Agnes Bernard Macdonald (John A.’s wife) (Soprano)

 

P.S. Margaret & Agnes will double as “Idle No More” demonstrators

 

All roles are singing roles either as solos, duets, or group

SOME OF THE SONGS

Songs

You’ve Got To Be a Scot...

Is It Really Worth The While, This Politics?

The Perfect Team....

He’s a Flash in the Pan...

Confederation Crusade

The Mighty Métis Voice...

Ribbon of Steel

He’s On The Take...

The Little Man’s Man Riel !

John A.! .....One More MountainTo Climb

VIDEO SAMPLES

Will it all be worth the while

The Mighty Métis Voice

The Perfect Team

Ribbon of Steel

The Little's Man Man

Materials

MATERIALS

1. One copy of the script.

2. A DVD of excerpts from the musical.

Fees

PERFORMANCE FEES

NON-EQUITY (Amateur) THEATRE GROUPS

The fee is negotiable depending on the theatre size and number of performances and shall be paid by the theatre to Maple Leaf Theatre Productions for the rights to perform, and for all materials listed above:  cf Production Contract for other terms.

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EQUITY THEATRE GROUPS

Royalties shall be paid by the Theatre to Maple Leaf Theatre Productions at a rate of 10% of the certified gross box office receipts, not including credit card charges, group sales commissions, and all sales tax, goods and services or similar government taxes. :  cf Production Contract for other terms​.

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ONCE A STANDARD CONTRACT TO PERFORM HAS BEEN SIGNED

1. Permission to copy as many scripts as required

2. Orchestrations on CD (recorded by professional musicians at Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton, Ontario). CDs may be copied for cast and production staff for rehearsal purposes There is no need to hire an orchestra.

3. A CD of the songs with orchestration to assist  non-readers

4. Vocal charts

5. A DVD of the complete musical for reference  (not to be duplicated)

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