SILVER DOLLAR
Music by Jack Murphy, Book and Lyrics by Mary Bracken Phillips
show details
Cast Size: 6 (2M, 4W) - May be expanded as needed.
"Silver Dollar" was first read at The New Harmony Project in New Harmony, Indiana, received additional readings at Musical Theatre Works and staged readings at The York Players, and The Directors Company in NYC. It premiered at Goodspeed at Chester and went on to a second production at Stage One in Wichita, Kansas under the direction of Scott Schwartz.
synopsis
SILVER DOLLAR is the true story of an infamous triangle of love and scandal on the American frontier. In a cabin above a deserted mine, the ghost of Augusta Tabor and eighty three year old Baby Doe Tabor, are bound together by their sins, courage and passion for silver king Horace Tabor, whose first wife's brain was his fortune and who's second wife's beauty was his downfall.
As Baby Doe's death is imminent, the women realize they must settle their "unfinished business" or be stuck on a mountaintop forever. They decide to compare diaries and their story enfolds in a series of flashs.
A story of the Colorado gold rush, a time when a fortune could be found with the turn of a shovel, and greed and dreams were all. The story of how Baby Doe stole Augusta's husband and Augusta lost the man she believed could not survive without her. The story of Horace Tabor's rise to power and fall from grace. The story of a second Civil War; fought not in the battlefield over slavery, but in Washington over power. East versus West, gold versus silver, banker against farmer. Fortunes lost and dreams that died.
The Tabors epitomized the best and worst of human nature, just as the Colorado gold rush epitomized the best and worst of the American dream. And in this age of greed, political betrayal and disillusionment, their story has a particular message. Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Just as in SILVER DOLLAR, two women in a lone cabin will either redeem each other or be condemned to relive their mistakes forever.
quotes & reviews
At Surflight Theatre (NJ)
Quotes from Peter Filichia's review for the Star-Ledger
'Silver Dollar' has the golden touch
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
“Bookwriter and lyricist Mary Bracken Phillips has worked hard -- and succeeded -- in delivering a pair of mesmerizing, fully realized characters. Augusta Pierce Tabor is a fascinating creation, as is Elizabeth "Baby Doe" Bonduell McCourt Tabor. When they're together onstage, matters ignite with the intensity of a steel forge.”
“Maggie Anderson and Evie Hutton, respectively, bring Augusta and Elizabeth to life…..These two are riveting for 2 1/2 hours, mostly because Phillips won't succumb to the "first wife, good; second wife, bad" platform. She knows that a romantic triangle is more complicated.”
“It's Phillips' dialogue and lyrics that are truly the stars. Adding a religious twist deepens a crackling good story.”
“Jack Murphy's music…is never less than pleasant, with "Love Turns," a final song for both women, downright beautiful.”
“Chris Kahler stages it with the efficiency and style found in the best Broadway productions. Choreographer Paula Hammons Sloan offers a spirited, round-shouldered hoe-down. The other participants, headed by the hardworking Andrew Foote, Jason Collins and Matthew Hardy, are up to the romp. Or are they dancing with such glee because they feel as though they're headed for Broadway?”
At Goodspeed At Chester
"The women were both sides of the same coin...extraordinarily courageous, but also extraordinarily misguided. The best and worst of human-and female-nature." - TheatreWeek
"...a mother lode of story material" - New Haven Register
At Stage One
"What a thoroughly engaging musical Stage One has in its inaugural production... filled with lovely melodies... however, it is the broader themes of redemption and forgiveness that elevate SILVER DOLLAR theatrically... especially in the stunning finale which brought a standing ovation." Diane Lewis, The Wichita Eagle
"...the story of love lost and found, a story of redemption and the healing power of forgiveness told with great humor and pathos." - The Wichita Eagle
"...musical theatre that will catch your imagination and tug at your heartstrings. It’s a keeper!" James Miller, The Wichita Eagle
music clips
America Calls
Silver Dollar
The Carriage Race