Evangeline The Musical

THE HISTORY OF "EVANGELINE THE MUSICAL"

The idea for a musical based on the story of Evangeline was the brainchild of composer/co-lyricist Paul Taranto.

In 1995, Taranto, a music teacher and band leader, saw a travelling children's theater performance that told the story of the Acadien expulsion. That idea brought Taranto back to the story of Evangeline, which he recalled hearing as a child, but which is best known as a poem by Henry W. Longfellow. In his spare time, over the next few years, Taranto wrote a few songs, on his own, that he hoped would become the basis for Evangeline: The Musical.

In early 1998, Taranto brought the idea for the show to his aquaintance Jamie Wax, a professional actor, playwright and lyricist, and the husband of one of Taranto's teaching associates. At the time, Wax was unable to make a committment to the project, and he suggested Paul collaborate with their mutual friend Danny Tiberghein. Tiberghein taught at the same school with Taranto and Wax's wife, Paige, in addition to achieving a celebrated career as a performer, choreographer and director.

Then, in April of 1998, just as he was completing his outline for Evangeline: The Musical, Danny Tiberghein lost his life, the victim of a senseless crime. At Tiberghein's memorial service, Wax and Taranto agreed that they would complete Evangeline: The Musical in memory of Danny.

Wax created a new outline for the show, and in September of 1998, he and Taranto went to Wax's cousin's camp on Lake Rosemount in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to begin their collaboration. That weekend was the beginning of a vigorous three-month campaign to complete the music, lyrics and book for Evangeline: The Musical. Then in November of 1998, the musical had its first public performance in a concert at the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge. Largely featuring a cast of students and local theatre professionals including Andre' Chapoy as Father Felician, the performance was an overwhelming success.

Encouraged by the response that night, plans were put in motion to follow in the footsteps of many Broadway musicals (such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Jekyll and Hyde) and record a "concept album" to help promote the show. Find out all about the recording by clicking here.

In January 1999, a workshop staging of the show was directed by Paige Parsons-Wax, and featured a cast of students and professionals, including many of the performers who appeared in that first concert performance.

The first full-scale production of the show was a collegiate mounting of the show in June 1999 at Louisiana State University. Ellen Lindsay (seen at left) played the title role, with Chapoy again as Felician. Co-creator Wax played the Act II comic role of "Matt from Ville Platte". Paige Parsons-Wax directed with Molly Buchmann as choreographer. Taranto conducted, Nels Anderson designed the set and Louis Gagliano the lights.

At left, a wide view of the stage of the Louisiana State University production (June 1999)

In August of 1999, there were two concert performances, one in Lafayette, Louisiana, and the other at the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The Strand Theatre performance (seen at left) featured Andre' Chapoy again, as well as Broadway veterans Ana Maria Andricain (seen at left with Chapoy) and Rod Weber. It was videotaped for broadcast by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and was later seen by millions on PBS stations throughout the United States and Canada.