Was


“A striking work of sophistication, achievement and serious purpose”
    Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times



“Sensitively adapted for the stage by composer Joseph Thalken and Librettist Barry Kleinbort”
    Albert Williams, The Chicago Reader



“With its mix of Victorian sentimentality and snappy urbanity, Thalken’s score bridges the century’s worth of time spanned by the show.”
    Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

 

AMTP's first production was an adaptation of Geoff Ryman's novel "Was." Performances at the Ethel M. Barber Theatre took place October 28 - November 13, 2005. With book and lyrics by Barry Kleinbort and music by Joseph Thalken, This new musical weaves together the adventures of two characters who live a century apart. The first story concerns Dorothy Gael, an orphan sent to live in Kansas in the 1870's, who ultimately becomes the inspiration for Dorothy of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The second story follows Jonathan Wood, an actor, whose lifelong obsession with The Wizard of Oz, leads him to Kansas 100 years later hoping to find proof of Dorothy's existence. Was takes its audience on a complex and tuneful journey that is, by turns, heartwarming and heartbreaking, tragic and triumphant. Steppenwolf Ensemble Member Tina Landau directed.

"Was" has been the beneficiary of a developmental workshop at Lincoln Center Theatre in New York and an earlier version at the Human Race Theatre in Dayton, Ohio. The Shen Family Foundation, and Barbara Whitman and David Carlyon, were the honorary producers of this production.

Barry Kleinbort has received the Edward Kleban and two Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla commendations for his lyrics. Composer Joseph Thalken recently premiered his new musical "Harold and Maude" (book and lyrics by Tom Jones) at the Papermill Playhouse. Tina Landau is a Steppenwolf ensemble member and most recently directed the acclaimed revivals of "The Time of Your Life" and "The Diary of Anne Frank."