“The Pilgrim’s Progress” and Other Progressions

Looks like it’s time for one of those “News and Updates” things again….

“As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream….”

I have an unofficial rule that I don’t like to talk much about my composition projects until they’re well underway, not for any superstitious reasons but simply because I’ve found that, if I talk about what I’m going to write before I write it, somehow it never gets written. I have no idea why. Anyway, this particular project is now decidedly in the “well underway” stage of things– I’ve got deadlines and I’m meeting them– so it’s time to let you in on the excitement.

Earlier this year I was approached by a friend of mine from college, Rita Juanita Mock, who runs a ministry that uses professional musical theatre to present the Gospel. Her ministry, UnMasked Productions, is currently forming a troupe to embark on a tour of Australia in summer 2010. As their first production, I’ve been commissioned to compose the score (and help in the script development) of a full-length musical adaptation of John Bunyan’s classic allegorical adventure The Pilgrim’s Progress. In Rita’s words,

The show promises to be an exciting blend of challenging music and choreography, exciting action scenes and thoughtful dialogue, with a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

A few interesting facts about the production:

• The original script will be centered on the somewhat less familiar, but more action-oriented, “second” volume of Pilgrim’s Progress, recounting the adventures of Christian’s wife Christiana, their son Matthew, their friends Great-Heart and Mercy, and of course all the monsters and menaces you remember and love. (And not to worry; we’re still keeping all the iconic scenes you remember from the first part of book. How could we leave out Vanity Fair or Giant Despair?)

• The score is designed– it may be unique as far as I know– for the accompaniment of an all-acapella vocal chorus. Think the King’s Singers.

• I’m letting my creative instincts run wild and incorporating musical styles from Broadway to Bollywood, 14th-century plainchant to jazz. This is me in my eclectic mode.

Excited? Me too. I just finished a big dance number in Vanity Fair, with more on the way.

Here are a few things you can pray for:

• My composing– There’s a lot to write in not all that much time. I still have a full-time day job (copyediting) and commitments to church and stuff, not to mention wanting to spend time with my wife now and again. Add “my sanity” to the list as well… oops, too late!

• Script development– We’re trying for a professional-quality drama that presents the Gospel clearly and accessibly to an Australian audience.

• Team Building and Recruiting– We’re slowly but surely putting together a solid team of singers, actors, dancers, technicians, costume designers, administrators, you name it! If you’re interested, or if you know anyone else who might be, we may have an opening for you. Check out http://unmaskedproductions.com/ for details. And of course, pray for all the usual support-raising, spiritual unity, ministry focus, and the like that goes with this sort of endeavor.

Of course, I’ll be keeping you updated on the development, so stick around! And if by chance you can’t make it to Australia to catch this production live, I’m told that there will be some good recordings made available… I’ll let you know the details as soon as I have them myself!

In other news:

• Those praying for my CD project (have I mentioned lately how much I appreciate you?) should add Peter’s computer to their lists– some technical difficulties are delaying the mixing and mastering a bit. We’re still on schedule so far, but every prayer helps.

• I still don’t have a title for the CD yet, but a graphic designer I know was able to describe the CD and make a good guess of what should be on the cover just from reading the list of track titles. What about you– what ideas do you have? I’m quite open to suggestions.

• My brother’s blog on fantasy writing gets more hits and comments every time I mention it here, and it deserves them, so why not go check out http://mrpond47.wordpress.com/ ?

• There are only a-number-that’s-too-scary-to-mention shopping days till Christmas…. I think I want one of these t-shirts! (See, that’s why you should always read till the end; there may be a funny link with arcane takes on postmodern hermeneutics!)

Thanks, everybody. Leave any suggestions, remarks, or encouragement in the comments as usual.

Related posts:

1. “Mick McGuire” is finally here!
2. Changing a Church Service: I’ve Got a Little List
3. Bookshelf
4. CD Recording Session: The Photo Gallery
5. Friday Updates: The Sublime and the Ridiculous