Caddie Woodlawn (musical)

Caddie Woodlawn a Musical Drama is a musical based on the novel Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. The book, music and lyrics are by Tom Shelton and Susan C. Hunter.

Caddie Woodlawn a Musical Drama
AuthorTom Shelton; Susan C. Hunter; Carol Ryrie Brink
Cover artistBill Shackford
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreLibretto
PublisherSamuel French Inc.
Publication date
2011
Media typePrint (paperback)
Pages112
ISBN978-0-573-69857-6

In 1935 Carol Ryrie Brink wrote the Newbery Medal —winning novel,Caddie Woodlawn, based on the childhood of her grandmother, Caroline Woodhouse. She had collected the stories that her grandmother had often recounted of her adventures as a pioneer child settling the wilderness of western Wisconsin in the mid-1800s. It won the Newbery Medal in 1936.[1]

In the musical, as in the original novel, Caddie, a high-spirited Wisconsin pioneer girl beloved by generations of readers, leads her willing siblings in a series of adventures, not always with the approval of her traditional Bostonian mother. Her father, however, encourages her antics, that she might thrive in the new, tougher ways of the west. In a climax, Caddie single-handedly diffuses a potentially deadly clash between the terrified settlers and the local Dakota tribe through a daring and dangerous act. But her action only deepens her conflict with her mother. Ultimately, Caddie learns invaluable lessons about reconciling the head-strong child she's been, and the responsible adult she is soon to be. Through it all, the sacredness of tradition—passed from one generation to the next—is powerfully dramatized. As one wise friend tells Caddie: "families -- they're our link to forever, lass."

Background

Tom and Susan wrote the book, music and lyrics to Caddie Woodlawn, which won the Landers Theatre national playwriting award.[2] Susan is the granddaughter of Carol Ryrie Brink, who in turn was granddaughter of the real-life Caddie. The authors use authentic Dakota language for the Native Americans in the story.[3]

Performances
  • An article in the Los Angeles Times indicates a workshop production was performed at the Whittier, California Junior Theater in August 1986.[4]
  • According to Playwrights Database, the musical as it exists today was first performed March 22, 1992 at the Landers Theater, in Springfield, Missouri after winning a Springfield Little Theatre's national playwriting competition for new musicals, with support by the Missouri Arts council.[5] It was directed by Mick Denniston and starred Danna Weddle as Caddie.
  • The musical got its first professional (Actors' Equity Association) production at First Stage Milwaukee in 1996.
  • The musical was produced in 2009 by the Red Cedar Youth Stage in Menomonie, Wisconsin. RCYS is part of the Menomonie Theater Guild (MTG), which performs in the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts (Mabel Tainter Memorial Building). Menomonie is located just 12 miles from the real life location of the novel.
  • The musical has been performed by a number of other community theaters around the country. (For information on various productions, see the musical's Facebook page )

Cast
  • CADDIE WOODLAWN – Redheaded scamp, reckless and brave, refuses to be "a lady," 13 years old, High-belt Alto
  • ROBERT IRETON – A cheery Irishman, taken to singing, dancing, and handing out good advice, Bari-Tenor
  • ANNABELLE 'ἃ – Cousin to the Woodlawns, a graduate of finishing school, finds Wisconsin “quaint and rustic," Soprano
  • JOHN WOODLAWN – Caddie's father, handsome and gentle, with quiet strength, Baritone
  • HARRIET WOODLAWN – Caddie's mother, refined, wants the same for her children, Alto
  • TOM WOODLAWN – Caddie's mischievous older brother, full of fun and pranks, about 14 years old, Boy Tenor
  • WARREN WOODLAWN – Caddie's younger brother, about 10, always trying to keep up with the other two, full of energy, Strong child singer
  • REVEREND TANNER – The Circuit Rider, hails from Boston, High Baritone
  • JOHN – Caddie's friend, a Native American from the Dakota tribe.

Alex-A girl with a mind of her own just like Caddie

Musical numbers

Act One

  • Wisconsin Welcome - Company
  • Wisconsin Anthem - Reverend and Company
  • Graveside Hymn - Reverend, Mr. Woodlawn, Mrs Woodlawn and Company
  • We Are We - Caddie, Tom, Warren
  • Toms Tall Tale - Tom, Warren
  • The Oath - Caddie, Tom, Warren
  • Quaint and Rustic - Annabelle, Caddie, Tom, Warren

Act Two

  • The City of Boston - Caddie, Mrs. Woodlawn
  • Breeches and Clogs - Mr. Woodlawn
  • Waiting - Company
  • O'Grady's Fiddle - Paddy, Company
  • A Change in the Wind - Paddy, Caddie
  • Paddy's Lament - Paddy
  • Epilogue - The Company

There is a Theatre for Young Audiences version that cuts several of the songs for an hour-long production.

Synopsis

ACT I A lonely hillside in Wisconsin. The stage comes alive with a barn raising. (Wisconsin Welcome) The WOODLAWNS, appear, freshly arrived from Boston. In the midst of the excitement, young CADDIE is scolded by her mother for her unladylike behavior. When a group of Dakotas, led by INDIAN JOHN, enter, the family is afraid, but MR WOODLAND, father, welcomes them and agrees to repair their rifles. CADDIE and INDIAN JOHN become friends, bonding over her flaming red hair. Tragedy strikes the family when baby MARY dies. (Graveyard Hymn) Overcome with grief MRS WOODLAWN agrees to allow CADDIE to live an outdoor tomboy existence in an attempt to make her healthy enough to survive the rigors of pioneer life. As the years pass CADDIE and her brothers TOM and WARREN become inseparable chums and fellow tricksters. (We Are We) They even manage to torment their refined cousin ANNABELLE, (Quaint and Rustic) Until ANNABELLE turns the table on them with a few tricks of her own.

ACT II

An important letter arrives informing MR WOODLAWN that he is heir to an estate, with one caveat: he has to renounce his American citizenship and move to England (Breeches and Clogs). As the family ponders whether to leave Wisconsin, a new crisis arrives with the news that the Dakota Natives are planning to massacre the local settlers. MR WOODLAWN, even though he thinks it is a, ”tavern rumor” agrees to allow all the settlers under his roof until the scare is over. (Waiting) CADDIE overhears one of the settlers plotting to kill the Dakotas. She saddles her horse to warn the tribe. Indian John returns with her and assures MR WOODLAWN that there is no danger. One of the settler threatens to kill the chief until MRS WOODLAWN bravely intervenes. The scare is over but MRS WOODLAWN scolds CADDIE furiously for taking matters into her own hands at peril of her life. The argument escalates and CADDIE runs away from home. A stop at MARY’S grave provides CADDIE with time to think and understand her mothers position. (A Change in the Wind) The family votes to stay in Wisconsin and brave the wilderness. MRS WOODLAWN and CADDIE reconcile. The family looks forward to becoming part of the tapestry that is Wisconsin (Epilogue/Wisconsin Welcome reprise for bows)

References
  1. Carol Ryrie Brink
  2. "Tom Shelton (1955 - )". Doollee. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  3. Corrales, Sue (August 21, 1986). "A descendant of 'Caddie Woodlawn' has pioneered a stage adaptation of the children's story". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  4. Corrales, Sue (August 21, 1986). "A descendant of 'Caddie Woodlawn' has pioneered a stage adaptation of the children's story". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  5. "Tom Shelton (1955 - )". Doollee. Retrieved May 6, 2012.

Hunter, Susan C.;Shelton, Tom Caddie Woodlawn a Musical Drama (2011), Samuel French, Inc, ISBN 978-0-573-69857-6.

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