A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Fugitive Songs

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Dramatic Comedy  /  3w, 3m

Music by Chris Miller
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen

Fugitive Songs is a 19-song journey across America that spotlights people on the run, offering a new sound for a restless America .

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: 2008 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Revue

Details

Summary
Award-winning songwriters Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen's Fugitive Songs is a 19-song journey across America, featuring a multi-ethnic ensemble (3 men, 3 women) between the ages of 20 and 40. This innovative song cycle, conceived as half-musical/half-hootenanny, spotlights people on the run: a disgruntled Subway sandwich employee, a jilted ex-cheerleader, a pair of Patty Hearst fanatics, a stoner forced to rob a convenience store against his will, and many others.

Blending traditional folk music with contemporary pop and gospel, Fugitive Songs offers a new sound for a restless America. This eclectic score provides exceptional material for a wide range of experienced singers, and delivers poignant and thought-provoking lyrics that capture each character's "reasons to run." 
History
Fugitive Songs was originally produced by Dreamlight Theatre Company in New York City. Fugitive Songs opened March 9, 2008 at the 45th St. Theater in NYC, under the direction of Joe Calarco, with musical direction by Justin Mendoza.
GAVIN – (20-30) Lonely man suddenly inspired to travel cross country, capturing photographs of a world he never thought he’d see. Eventually finds new love with Barrett. Rock/pop Tenor, up to a G.
MATT – (20s) Cynical young man coming to terms with adulthood. Hits the road by bike and car. Holds up a gas station against his will, eventually lands a minimum wage job at a fast food chain. Rock/pop Tenor, up to a G.
JOSHUA – (20-40) Bar stool philosopher. Moves to NYC for a girl right before she dumps him. After stumbling across America, he vows to be a voice of positive change. Rock/Pop Bari-tenor, up to a G.
ALYSHA – (30-40) Finds herself continually trapped in stagnant relationships, but fears growing old alone. Dreams of being kidnapped like Patty Hearst. Strong belt, up to a D, good mix above that.
KAREN – (20s) Spurned young woman, sassy, beautiful, with the whole world ahead of her. Chases her boyfriend through the woods after he misses her birthday. Strong belt up to a D, good mix above that.
BARRETT – (20s) An old soul with a strong connection to nature. She ends up walking across the country eventually finding new love with Gavin. Strong belt, up to a D, good mix above that.

Fugitive Songs can be staged as a cabaret, concert, dance piece, or traditional musical. Directors and choreographers are encouraged to make the piece their own: the more imaginative the storytelling, the better. Stage directions should be read merely as suggestions. Although the show was initially conceived for a cast of six, there are several ways of expanding the cast: each solo can be performed by a different actor, and vocal parts can be doubled/tripled in group numbers.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting

    A collection of confined spaces that eventually open up to the open road.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Intense Adult Themes
    • Strong Language

Media

“Powerful... a song cycle tailored to anyone who has ever thought of shucking his job, his mate or his life to start anew.” – Variety

Fugitive Songs is a fluid song cycle that centers on the theme of flight: specifically, running away … from home, from lovers, from troubles, from whatever. The show, therefore, has a picaresque quality akin to a modern musical rendition of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.” – Talkin' Broadway, The Siegel Column

“A powerful yearning weaves through the tunes that make up Fugitive Songs, a song cycle tailored to anyone who has ever thought of shucking his job, his mate or his life to start anew.” – Variety, Read More

“The show is an excellent showcase for the five golden-voiced actors who bring its songs to life. But the real stars of Fugitive Songs are Miller and Tysen, who have created a tuneful, genuinely evocative score. Miller’s music features soaring harmonies with elements of folk rock, bluegrass and old-fashioned theatre music, and is backed up by a piano and terrific four-piece band. Tysen’s lyrics have moments of real wit and walk the line between rock and theatre with ease.” – Curtain Up, Read More

“Some of the songs are upbeat and funny and some are melancholic. But what makes Fugitive Songs work is the beautiful marriage of well-crafted songs and the harmonious vocals of [the] actors.” – Broadway World, Read More

“During several of the songs I found myself thinking, ‘Wow, I could listen to this for days. DAYS!’” – Columbus Underground, Read More

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Songwriters Miller and Tysen win $50,000 Fred Ebb Award
by Courtney Kochuba
November 21, 2014

Videos

  • Jay Armstrong Johnson - "Town Goes Boom"  youtube thumbnail

    Jay Armstrong Johnson - "Town Goes Boom"

  • Album release - "Reasons to Run" youtube thumbnail

    Album release - "Reasons to Run"

  • Karen Olivo - "Annie's Party" youtube thumbnail

    Karen Olivo - "Annie's Party"

  • Album release - "Kansas Highway" youtube thumbnail

    Album release - "Kansas Highway"

  • Barrett Wilbert Weed - "Lost" youtube thumbnail

    Barrett Wilbert Weed - "Lost"

  • Andrew Keenan Bolger - "Growing Up" youtube thumbnail

    Andrew Keenan Bolger - "Growing Up"

  • Umphress & Wilbert Weed - "Poor Little Patty" youtube thumbnail

    Umphress & Wilbert Weed - "Poor Little Patty"

  • Chris Miller - "Getting There" youtube thumbnail

    Chris Miller - "Getting There"

  • Miller and Tysen discuss FUGITIVE SONGS youtube thumbnail

    Miller and Tysen discuss FUGITIVE SONGS

More videos +

Music

Song Samples

Reasons to Run
Getting There
Annie's Party
Don't Say Me
Subway Song
Break a Branch
Kansas Highway Sky
Passing Tracy
Lost
Poor Little Patty
Lullaby
Wilson
Spring Cleaning
Shine
Wildflowers
Growing Up
I Could Go Back
One of These Nights
1. “Reasons to Run” – Company
2. “Getting There” – Gavin
3. “Annie's Party” – Karen
4. “Growing Up” – Matt
5. “Don't Say Me” – Alysha w/ Karen & Barrett
6. “Town Goes Boom” – Joshua
7. “Lullaby” – Gavin w/ Karen & Alysha
8. “Wilson” – Matt w/ Alysha & Karen
9. “Break a Branch” – Barrett & Company
10. “Spring Cleaning” – Alysha
11. “Kansas Highway Sky” – Matt, Gavin, Joshua
12. “Passing Tracy” – Joshua
13. “Subway Song” – Matt w/ Gavin & Joshua
14. “Poor Little Patty” – Alysha, Barrett
15. “Shine” – Joshua & Company
16. “Lost” – Karen
17. “Wildflowers” – Gavin, Barrett
18. “I Could Go Back” – Alysha & Company
19. “One of These Nights” – Company
Piano
Violin
Cello
Bass
Electric Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Drums/Percussion
  • Musical Style Pop/Rock, Country/Western, Folk
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.
    This title may have restrictions in place for London based productions. Please submit a licence request to confirm specific availability.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
8 Piano-Conductor
1 Violin
1 Bass
1 Electric Guitar
1 Acoustic Guitar
1 Drums/Percussion
8 Piano-Conductor

Scripts

Available Formats:

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Chris Miller

Chris Miller (Composer): Tuck Everlasting (Broadway 2016); The Burnt Part Boys (Playwrights Horizons/Vineyard Theatre, Lucille Lortel Nominee for Best Musical 2011); Fugitive Songs (Drama Desk Award Nominee for Outstanding Revue 2008); all three of which have cast albums avai ...
View full profile

Nathan Tysen

Nathan Tysen (Lyricist) Broadway: Paradise Square (with Jason Howland & Masi Asare), Amélie (with composer and co-lyricist Dan Messé, Drama League nomination), Tuck Everlasting (with composer Chris Miller; Outer Critics & Drama League nominations). Off-Broadway: The Burnt Par ...
View full profile

Community

Now Playing

Community Experiences

Related