
PINETREE PRODUCTIONS
Presents…
THE MUSICAL TELEPHONE: A Romantic Narrative
Based on passages from
Edward Bellamy's utopian novel, Looking Backward
Dramatized and Directed
by Roger Hall
This one-act play, dramatized by Roger Hall, is based on passages from Edward Bellamy's famous 19th century utopian novel, Looking Backward, 2000-1887, which has sold millions of copies and has been translated into over twenty languages. Reportedly, it was one of the most influential books of the late 19th century.
The play premiered at the Bellamy Centennial Conference at Emerson College in Boston in 1988. It is now available for the first time on a DVD.
Originally titled, Bellamy's Musical Telephone, it was later changed to reflect a broader view of this ingenious device described by Bellamy in Chapter 11 of his novel.
About the Actors
Greg Bazaz ( Julian West) has been involved with both professional and community theaters in the Boston area as well as Off-Off Broadway in New York. He appeared in the world premiere production of the musical Cyrano in Michigan, with Jose Ferrer. Greg has been both an actor and a director in theater productions and has been a host for a cable television program.
Dorothy Yanish ( Edith Leete) received a M.M. degree from Catholic University in Washington, and a B.S. degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has also studied privately in Italy and Austria. In addition to giving voice recitals throughout New England, she has been a soloist with the John Oliver Chorale and has sung with the Cantata Singers.
Music featured in the play

“Prelude in G minor” - music by Edwin Arthur Jones (1878)
"Waltz in Eb Major” - music by Edwin Arthur Jones (1874)
“Peace” – words by Esther Talbot (1814)/ music by Roger Hall --
sung by Dorothy Yanish (1988)
“Simple Gifts”(Shaker song) – words and melody
by Elder Joseph Brackett (1848),
arranged by Roger Hall --
sung by Dorothy Yanish (1988)
“The Dark Night is Ending” – words by John Greenleaf Whittier (1874)/
Chant melody arranged by Roger Hall --
sung by Dorothy Yanish (1988)
Bonus Features
In addition to the complete play taped at its premiere performance in Boston in 1988, there are these bonus features on the DVD:
-
Information about the Looking Backward novel.
-
A picture gallery of telephones from the era of Edward Bellamy and later.
- Audio files with the music and audio dialogue from the play.
Now available together for a limited time only!
FILM MUSIC MASTER - ATribute To Bernard Herrmann
THE MUSICAL TELEPHONE: A Romantic Narrative
To receive both these two titles on one DVD-R,
make a donation of $25 or more,
through safe and secure PayPal,
payable to PineTree Productions,
and it includes Free Shipping.
Click on this button to
After you have made your donation,
to insure proper delivery,
please send your mailing address to
Film Music Master/ The Musical Telephone DVD-R
Read the interview with Roger Hall about his play at
The Thunder Child
See other CDs and DVDs available at
Other pages about music from the play

New England Composer: Edwin Arthur Jones

Come, Gentle Peace CD

THE STORY OF 'SIMPLE GIFTS':
Joseph Brackett's Shaker Dance Song
return to top of page
|