EXCELSIUS
The group includes a former ballet dancer who bears an injury of the body and heart; an alluring woman from Brazil who carries the rhythm of samba in her soul; a Plain Jane about to blossom; an incessant percussionist; a music nerd who can only theorize; and a single mother demanding a better world for her child. In trying to save the Excelsius they have a rare chance to save themselves.
The show’s music is fresh and enticing: from an intimate Brazilian ballad, a man-to-man love song, a bitter dirge, a vaudevillian show stopper, high powered gospel-blues, ethereal dance for madman and basketball, Celtic clogging, to a celebratory samba.
Cast
Andras Molnar: (50’s - early 60’s) Danced ballet professionally before a devastating physical injury. Ballet dancer, singer RANGE C3 - G4 Nestor: (20’s - early 40’s) A homeless man and hypersensitive “Oracle” sensing the soul of “The Excelsius”. Skilled improvisational percussionist, singer, dancer RANGE E3 - A5 Ieda: (40’s) From Rio de Janeiro, she is sensuous, sexy and colorful. An untrained musician who lives and breathes music. Singer, dancer. RANGE F3 - G5 Constance: (30’s - early 40’s) A plain Jane who secretly yearns to blossom. Singer, dancer. B4 - G5 Bryce: (early 20’s) Aspiring dance student insistently confident of Andras’ ability to transform him into a great dancer. Ballet dancer, minimal singing. Alex: (late 20’s - late 30’s) A classical music nerd whose knowledge of music is in his head, not his body. Singer, dancer. RANGE D3 - A5 Jocelyn: (late 20’s - early 40’s) An Afro-American woman, this single mom is clear in her vision, assertive, and undaunted by circumstances. Singer, dancer RANGE A4 - G5 James: (5 - 9) Jocelyn’s son. Singer, percussion abilities a plus. Tad Tramore: (30’s - early 40’s) A star of musical theatre and concert stage with his career on the downslide. (Other than chorus numbers he appears only in one scene.) Singer, dancer. Phyllis Barnes Stokes: (50’s - 60’s) The affluent landlady and older sister of Gregory, Andras’ previous lover. Singer. RANGE A4 - D5
Authors
Book, music and lyrics by Mariénne Kreitlow