THE DEBUT (the stories):
by CLeonard
I've been researching the musicals Jackie selected for this album to gain an understanding of the plots, the characters and their stories. Below are scenarios for each of the songs on the album, providing background for the lyrics and some insight to Jackie's interpretations. Jackie said in her interview with Richard Ridge that these stories resonate with her. I would not assume any particular character is representative of Jackie's personal experience, however. But all together, the dreams, loves and betrayals, afflictions, challenges, hopes and triumphs portrayed in these vignettes likely evoke her compassion or empathy.
"Not only do I love the songs but I am able to tell a story and interpret them from my perspective. It was an incredible experience getting to know these characters and songs and I can't wait to perform them live."
-Jackie Evancho
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The Songs:
#1 BURN (from "Hamilton" -The Public Theater, off-Broadway 2015) Alexander Hamilton's wife, Eliza, is devastated and angered by the revelation that he had shared with the world his trangressions (an affair with Maria Reynolds that made him vulnerable to blackmail) in a public pamphlet hoping to salvage his legacy.
#2 A MILLION DREAMS (from the musical film, "The Greatest Showman" 2017) In this song, P.T. Barnum is reflecting upon his childhood in a flash-back when he and his tailor father Philo work for the Hallett family. He becomes infatuated with their daughter, Charity, after making her laugh. Though Charity will be sent to finishing school, Barnum reassures her that they will not be separated, as the two will keep in touch through letters until they meet again in adulthood. In the film, the song is performed by three characters, first young Barnum as a boy, then by the adult Barnum and Charity as they sing of the "million dreams" they shared.
#3 FALLING SLOWLY (from "Once" -Broadway 2011, from the film 2007) A young Czech flower seller is lured by the music of a street musician (singer/guitar player) and talks to him about his songs. They meet again later at a music store where she regularly plays piano and he teaches her one of his songs, "Falling Slowly".
#4 SOMEWHERE (from "Westside Story" -Broadway 1957, film 1961) Chino brings the news to Maria that Tony has killed her brother, Bernardo. She flees to her bedroom, praying that Chino is lying. Tony comes to Maria's room through the window to see her. She initially pounds on his chest with rage, but she still loves him. They plan to run away together. As the walls of Maria's bedroom disappear, they find themselves in a dreamlike world of peace. Tony begins to sing to her of the hope they will survivce "somehow, someday, somewhere". In the original stage play, "Somewhere" is sung by an off-stage soprano (not a character in the story). In some productions it is sung by Maria, or fashioned into a duet sung by both Maria and Tony (tenor) as in the film production. The musical is base on Shakespear's Romeo & Juliet>
#5 REQUIEM (from "Dear Evan Hansen" -Broadway 2016)) Evan is a teenager who has social anxiety and struggles to make friends, so he fabricates a story that he had befriended the brother of Zoe, the girl of his dreams. Evan had made her believe her brother Connor was nicer than she had believed him to be. But, Zoe refuses to mourn Connor's suicide death, remembering his violent and scary behavior, they having often fought with each other. "I will sing no requiem tonight"
#6 ONCE UPON A DECEMBER (from "Anastasia" -Broadway 2017, from the animated film 1997). Anya (Grand Duchess Anastasia) and Dmitry, the once young boy who had bowed to her at a parade, are re-united after 11 years when it had been assumed she died from a gunshot during the Bolshevik invasion of the palace, disrupting the imperial ball. Dmitry shows her a music box that he was unable to open, unaware it is the memento that was given to Anya by her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, as a parting gift upon moving to Paris. Anya had retrieved it from the palace while escaping the ivasion. She easily winds and opens the box and begins to vaguely remember her past, including the imperial ball many years earlier (Once Upon a December).
#7 I'M NOT THAT GIRL (from "Wicked" -Broadway 2003) Alone after sharing a tender moment with Fiyero, the Arjiki Prince from Vinkus, the lead character Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) reminds herself how pointless it is to wish for something to happen between her and Fiyero who loves another.
#8 SHE USED TO BE MINE (from "Waitress" -American Repertory Theater 2015, from the film 2007) The protagonist Jenna, in an abusive relationship with her husband, sings about losing one's sense of self and struggling with changes in circumstances, lamenting her long-lost control of her own life. The "she" to whom she refers in the lyrics is her self.
#9 WHISPERING (from "Spring Awakening" based on the 1891 play, Broadway production 2006) Set in late 19th-century Germany, the musical tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of teenage sexuality. Wendla, finding herself pregnant, realizes that her mother lied to her about how babies are made. She berates her mother (who refuses to acknowledge her shortcoming) for leaving her ignorant. She reluctantly surrenders to her mother a passionate note sent to her by the young father after they had consummated their relationship. In this song, she reflects somberly on her current condition and the circumstances that precipitated it, but resolves with optimism about her future child.
#10 ANOTHER DAY/NO DAY BUT TODAY (from "Rent" -Broadway 1996, film 2005) This musical is based on Puccini's La Bohème, in which the luscious splendor of Puccini's world is replaced with the coarseness and noise of modern New York. "No Day But Today" is a chant made by the HIV+ characters living in a low rent district -Live each day as if it were your last. Most of the characters that come across this song do not have much time to live, so the only thing they can do is live each day one at a time, and never look back.
Note: Trying to quote information I incorporated from various sources was too tedious, so just assume it's all plagiarized.