Song of Survival
By Eleanor Harder and Ray Harder. Based on the book by Helen Coljin. Camp score written/arranged/edited by Margaret Dryburgh and Norah Chambers.
Product Code: SE4000
Musical
Drama
Cast size: 14w. (plus flexible female ensemble and chorus.)
Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.
* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.
Synopsis
Based on the autobiographical work of Helen Colijn, who survived three-and-a-half years of internment in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, Song of Survival is "a stunning drama about women interned during World War II in Japanese prisoner of war camps and the music they created to sustain themselves...A powerful and well-scripted depiction of an extraordinary story." (Monterey County Register) Present-day Helen, as narrator, faces herself as a younger Helen in the group of imprisoned women. Conflict results. Today's Helen urges forgiveness, young Helen insists that the daily horrors be remembered. Among the prisoners there's humor, extraordinary courage and compassion, as well as acts of selfishness. But above all, there's glorious music to unite them and give them hope. "Great theatre that touches the heart with its story and music." (Daily Californian) "Thrilling." (Los Angeles Times)
Details
- Status In stock
- Type of Show Musical
- Product Code SE4000
- Minimum Cast Size 14
- Pages of Dialogue 86
- Min. Royalty Rate $90.00/perf
- Approx. Run Time 100 min
- Staging Simple staging.
Categories
- Target Audience High School | College and Adult
- Performing Group High School | College Theatre | Community Theatre | Professional Theatre
- Genre Drama
- ISBN(13) 9780871299642
Customer Reviews
This play was an excellent teaching tool as well as a very touching and memorable play. My students learned much more than they ever anticipated. Our audience did nothing but rave. Thanks for providing top-notch plays!
I really enjoyed Song of Survival. It is very moving and strong, I particularly liked the fact that its staging can be so simple and flexible.
A fine piece of work … we're sold out for the entire run and we're adding more performances.
I knew the play would be good but I just didn't realize the enormous impact it would have on the whole community.
Four years after our production of Song of Survival, people are still asking when we're going to do it again.
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
It is a memory piece so think less is more. A few simple pieces allow the audience to focus on the actors and are symbolic of what these women had to live with as wellÑnext to nothing.
Go on line and have students research. Also, have each character keep a journal as if they were in camp.
Media Reviews
"Song of Survival is a gem of a stage show. The best. Not a dry eye in the house. Those of us who served in WWII as young men had no idea that prison camps existed for captured woman. The standing ovation was for them, too." -Daily Californian"Song of Survival strikes powerful chords." -The Des Moines Register
"A masterful symphony of hope. Great theatre that touches the heart with its story and music." -Daily Californian
"A stunning drama … This is not a pretty play, it is a beautiful one. The Western Stage has earned it's reputation for fine theater over the years, and this is not its first premiere. It may be, however, its most impressive." -Register Monterey
"An incredible theatre experience … An extraordinary and vital story brought to life in a powerful and moving play. The play reaffirmed my belief that the arts can make us whole, sustain us, empower us to do the unimaginable." -Peter Troxell, KUSP-FM, National Public Radio
Also By These Authors
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