Deadly1893 – A time of hope and optimism as the World’s Fair turns the globe’s eyes toward Chicago. But within this cultural explosion of art and technology, a demon lurks beneath. Taking advantage of the modern woman’s adventuresome spirit, H.H. Holmes builds a hotel, a “murder castle,” to entrap and kill unsuspecting ladies new to the big city. On its face, the show centers around the most prolific serial killer in America’s history, HH Holmes and a few of his victims. But the show is really about women in 1880s Chicago just starting to find their independence- and what can happen in a time before detectives had forensics and women knew the power of their voices. The musical focuses on the stories of some these brave women who ventured into the city on their own searching for adventure, only for their lives to be cut off before realizing their potential. Through haunting music, we follow these victims in the afterlife as they seek to take back the false narrative that Holmes created of them in his many famous well-published “confessions.” The women, led by forgotten victim Lizzie Sommers, find each other and band together to finally be heard by Detective Frank Geyer. As they take back their narrative and lead the detective to vital clues, they finally find the voices that they were never able to have in life. And together, the victims finally find their revenge: Holmes is convicted and executed …and the women’s names and legacies are rightfully remembered. |
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Roles
7F, 3M + Ensemble
Musicians
4
Acts
2
Duration
2 hours |
Creators
Ryan Thomas Johnson
Music by Ryan Thomas Johnson is a Los Angeles-based composer. Cutting his teeth as a rock keyboardist, he has toured four countries, made numerous recordings, and played in countless venues, primarily as the leader of...
Vanessa Claire Stewart
Book and Lyrics By In 2008, Vanessa Claire Stewart co-wrote and starred as Keely Smith in Louis and Keely: Live at the Sahara for Sacred Fools Theater Company (Ovation Award for best actress and best
Reviews
"Deadly is so clearly written by a woman. The entire production is littered with empathy - it can be found in the smallest of nooks and crannies. The production did not just tell the story of a serial killer and why he did what he did and how he did what he did, it told the story of the first cries of feminism, sisterhood, motherhood."
The SoCal Review
"With Deadly, Vanessa Claire Stewart remains a force to be reckoned with in the L.A. stage and Sacred Fools is kicking its 23rd season off with a wild ride... adventurous, serious theatergoers are likely to be entranced by this vision of a serial killer - and the women who resisted him."
Hollywood Progressive
Orchestration
4 Musicians
PIANO/VOCAL
VIOLIN
CELLO
DRUMS
Casting
Casting Note
Any character can be played by any race.
LIzzie Sommers
Female - mid 30s
Strong, wistful, and an empath to all victims, especially children. Mezzo-soprano
Evelyn
Female - 20s
Raised on a farm, she’s not polished, but sweet. Mezzo- soprano.
Emiline
Female - 20s
Raised on a farm, she’s not polished, but sweet. Mezzo- soprano.
Julia
Female - 20s
A secret feminist trapped into marriage after getting pregnant at a young age. Mezzo-Soprano
Pearl
Female - 12
Julia’s precocious, psychic daughter. Mezzo-Soprano
Minnie
Female - 20s
An overly hopeful and ambitious Southern woman. Alto, able to sing gospel-style.
Anna
Female - 20s
Minnie’s very practical younger sister from Texas. Alto, gospel style.
Holmes
Male - 28
A complete sociopath. Handsome and charming AF until the moment he kills you. Does not sing.
Pitezel
Male
Genius. Holmes' minion. Drunk. On the spectrum and extremely lonely. Baritone.
Geyer
Male
A dogged, haunted detective- the ally that the ladies need. Baritone or Tenor.
Chorus of Women
Females
4 (or more) spirits that live in the walls of the "murder castle".
Production Materials
The required production package will include the materials listed below. These materials will be shipped upon receipt of payment if your license request is approved.
16 Cast Script/Vocal Books
A combination of the show’s full script and the full vocal book. All dialogue within each song is printed in the score to prevent flipping back and forth during rehearsals. All books are spiral-bound and double-sided.
2 Director’s Scripts
A single-sided, spiral-bound script designed with plenty of space for the director to take notes and add blocking during the rehearsal process.
1 Stage Manager’s Script
A single-sided, three-hole punched script that can be inserted into your three-ring binder.
2 Piano/Vocal Scores
This piano score includes all vocal parts. It can be used during the rehearsal process and during performance.
Orchestration Set
Violin, Cello, Drums
Production Resources
Additional Printed Books
Additional books (Cast Script/Vocal, Piano/Conductor, etc.) are available.
$25 each
Full Conductor Score
An ideal solution for those who choose to conduct their show from the podium, as opposed to the piano. Each detailed instrument staff is always right in front of you--giving you the most comprehensive layout for full control of your orchestra.
$125/Print, $100/Digital, $175/both
Digital Orchestration PDFs
Prefer playing or rehearsing from your tablet? All of our orchestration scores (including PC and PV) are available in digital copies.
Digital PC or PV $50
Full Digital Orchestration Set $150
Broadway Plus
A workshop experience in which a Broadway artist speaks and works with students in an educational setting through our partnership with Broadway Plus.
Prices Vary by Product
TurnKey Transpositions
Our catalogue is full of iconic music, and we can customize many of our titles to your performers' unique voices with our TurnKey Transpositions. Get the perfect key for the perfect actor! Our team will transpose any songs at your request during any point in your license period. All files will be delivered digitally and priced for your specific needs.
$50 per song for PV or PC
$150 per song for all orchestral parts (including PC/PV)
