Second Chance (musical)

Second Chance
Original Quebec City Production
Music Frédérick Desroches
Lyrics Stéphane Prémont
Alexandre Martel (French adaptation)
Book Stéphane Prémont
Jean-Pierre Cloutier
Joëlle Bourdon
Productions March 2009 Quebec City February 2010 Quebec City

Second Chance is a rock opera conceived by Stéphane Prémont and Frédérick Desroches about high schoolers not-so-easy life. The central character, Johnny, sees his life turn sour because of rumors, betrayal and bad communication. The story deals with suicide, anorexia, drugs and teen pregnancy. It is based on his first play entitled Holding Out for Hero, presented in 1994. He started composing the musical version of the show in 2008, and the finished product was ready later that year, in August. The original run started on March 15, 2009. A French production opened in February 2010 at the Quebec City Salle Dina-Belanger. It was the first professional production of the show.[1]

Stéphane Prémont recently received the "Personnel Engagé" Prize at the "Forces Avenir" gala presented June 14, 2008 at the Capitole's Cabaret in Quebec City.[2][3][4]

Productions

The original run of the musical played at the 400-seats Externat Saint-Jean-Eudes' Auditorium under the name Second Chance. The show was performed nine times between March 15, 2009 and March 21, 2009. Stephane Prémont and Émilie Desgagnés directed the production, François Ouellet designed the lighting and Jean-François "Frisco" Roy was the sound engineer. Roxanne Rondeau, Justine Bilodeau, Sarah Morin and Valerie Goulet-Marceau were choreographer, while Genevieve Brousseau was the vocal arranger.

A new production opened in February 2010 in Quebec City. There were several major changes in the plot, including the translation of the show in French by Alexandre Martel and the show's name changed to Au Pied du Mur. It was a two-week run at the Salle Dina-Bélanger. Jean-Pierre Cloutier, "Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Québec" alumni, directed the new production.[5]

Synopsis

Waiting for the authors' approbation

Musical numbers

Act I
  • Prologue - Company
  • Ouverture - Johnny, Jennylee, Company
  • Sacrés Coeurs - Jennylee, Ethan, Company, Johnny
  • Un tango nommé désir - Ana, Shawn
  • My destiny - Johnny, Randy, Patrick, Melissande
  • Me verra-t-il un jour? - Melissande, Mary Jane
  • It's not that easy - Johnny, Jennylee, Mr. O'hara
  • Broken glass - Johnny
  • Sunnier Days - Heather, Mary Jane
  • Out of his shadow - Randy, Melissande, Company
  • You’ve been kissed a lot - Randy, Ana, Mary Jane, Ed, Patrick, Ethan, Jennylee
  • Light at the end of the tunnel - Randy, Jennylee, Company
  • Time to grow up - Ana, Randy

Act II
  • Read all about it/Johnny's down - Randy, Patrick, Ed, Ethan, Jennylee, Company
  • No more - Ed, Ana
  • Something new - Ethan, Jennylee, Mr.Webson
  • Broken glass (reprise) - Johnny, Patrick
  • No one ever has it easy - Heather, Ed
  • Don't you know - Randy, Ana
  • Don't you know (reprise) - Randy, Ana
  • A way out? - Melissande, Johnny
  • Pick up - Johnny, Jennylee, Randy, Patrick, Ana,
  • Second Chance - Ana, Randy, Patrick, Company
  • Sunnier days (reprise) - Jennylee, Company
  • Pick up (reprise) - Randy, Patrick, Ana, Jennylee, Johnny
  • United we stand (reprise) - Johnny, Heather, Randy, Ana, Company

Roles description and original cast members[6]

English Name French Name Voice 2009 Original QC Cast 2010 French Cast
Johnny O'hara David Baritenor Yannick Vezina Hugo Lapierre
Jennylee Harrison Marie-Lee Alto Marie-Michèle Lamoureux Marilyn Grenier
Randy Harrison Félix Tenor Pierre-Luc Dionne Hugo Charland
Ana Lopez Anna Mezzo-soprano Marie-Chantale Dallaire Marie-Ève Lepage
Patrick Thompson Patrick Baritone Anthony Julien Hubert Bolduc
Melissande Lafleur Mélissa Contralto Laurie Morin Marisol Forest
Heather Cross Esther Soprano Marilou Ferland-Daigle Julie Langlais
Ed Lafitte Édouard Tenor Louis-David Faucher Simon Dufresne
Mr. O'hara M. O'hara Baritone Christopher Auger Stéphane Prémont
Mr. Webson Mme. Champagne Soprano Philippe-Olivier Giguère Mary-Hélène Gagnon
Ethan Vinson Victor Baritenor Raphael Désilets Alexandre Martel
Mary Jane Smith Joëlle Mezzo-Soprano Laurie Drolet Sarah Mceniry-Potvin
Character Last Production Performer Reason
Shawn Crowley 09 Original QC Cast Louis Morin Mixed into Randy
Lester Jackson 09 Original QC Cast Nickolas Munger-Bernier Mixed into Patrick
Kristen Johnson 09 Original QC Cast Audrey Dion Cut
Sue Ellen Polanski 09 Original QC Cast Martine Chamberland Cut

On-Stage Band

Name Instrument
Frédérick Desroches Conductor, Keyboard
Billy Chabot Electric Guitar
Olivier Bibeau Electric Guitar
Louis-André Labadie Bass Guitar
Alexandre Bibeau Drums, Percussion
Frédérique Beaulieu-Asselin Cello

Official website

Au Pied du Mur

References

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