and Cast List
In preparation for this project, the author met with numerous high school music directors who shared with her their frustrations and needs in trying to put on musical productions. The number one issue was that there were never enough girl parts! And even when there were girl parts, they often boxed girls into boring stereotypes.
Other directors expressed their fatigue with the same musicals done over and over again. As one put it, “I could be reincarnated and live through another three lifetimes, not see Sound of Music during those lifetimes, and it would be okay with me!”
Parents also have their concerns. Ruth Laker recently wrote about them for a newspaper story. Here’s one example:
In returning from a recording session in Europe, I was talking with a mom at the airport, sharing what we were doing as a way to help pass the time. She was very interested in the idea of a user-friendly high school musical and shared this: “I was shocked the other day when I learned that at my daughter’s middle school they were doing a ‘Junior’ version of Grease. She had been cast as Rizzo! I played that role in high school, and I wasn’t even comfortable with it then! And the words to those songs—have you ever really listened? ‘Tell me more, tell me more, did you get very far…Tell me more, tell me more, did she put up a fight?’ What kind of message is that?”
High school music directors have been trying their best over the years to cram student performance demand and interest into often ill-fitting shows, and for that they deserve credit. But they should have more choices—great choices that maintain a high standard of composition and entertainment AND are age appropriate for students. Ruth Laker and Peter Farnbauer are happy to offer the preview of Paradise Diner contained within this website. For a description of the story and excerpts from the play, read on. They also invite you to listen to samples of the fourteen songs contained within the show.
Ruth Laker, Ph.D, is a writer, jazz singer and licensed psychologist with over ten years experience working exclusively with adolescents. Musical arrangements are by Peter Farnbauer of the world-renowned European band Elan. The musical is published by Seven Stars Press which holds the performance rights for both the play and the music. A nation-wide premier is being planned for the year 2007-2008 with a limited number of performance rights being granted.