Conceived by Deirdre Kelly Lavrakas
Book & Lyrics by Calleen Sinnette Jennings, Mary Hall Surface, and Eric Wilson
Music & Lyrics by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Synopsis
Walking the Winds: American Tales tells seven American folk stories from varied cultures: Native American, Cajun American, Chinese-American, Mexican-American and African-American. The pieces range from the comic to the inspirational in this unusual blend of traditional storytelling and musical theatre.
History
Walking the Winds: American Tales was commissioned and premiered in 1996 by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, under the direction of Deirdre Kelly Lavrakas, and toured around the DC area for two seasons. In 2000 it was performed at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage to celebrate the CD release. The recording won a 2002 Parents’ Choice Award , and the show has since enjoyed numerous productions throughout the country.
Musical Numbers
Listen to the cast album on Apple Music or Spotify.
Featuring Scott Leonard Fortune, Klaude Krannebitter, Debra Tidwell Peters, Stevie Peters, Andrew W. Smith, Lynn Sharp Spears, Lynne Streeter, Steven Tipton, Bonnie Waggoner, Gordon Waggoner, Tamarin K Ythier, and the composer.
Production Elements
Cast: An ensemble plays multiple roles. Minimum: 8 actors
Music: Wide range of musical styles – from Cajun to Jarocho to Gospel – to fit within the cultural context of each story. Accompaniment tracks available.
Musical Difficulty: Moderate
Technical Requirements: Minimal (ideal for touring)
Suggested Audience: All Ages
Authors
Purchase
Listen to the cast album on Apple Music or Spotify.
Buy the CD from Amazon.com
2002 Parents’ Choice Award Winner
Featuring Scott Leonard Fortune, Klaude Krannebitter, Debra Tidwell Peters, Stevie Peters, Andrew W. Smith, Lynn Sharp Spears, Lynne Streeter, Steven Tipton, Bonnie Waggoner, Gordon Waggoner, Tamarin K Ythier, and the composer.