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Four high school friends reunite one year after graduation to discover how dramatically their lives have grown apart. While they attempt to reconnect and understand each other’s differences, nothing can compare to the glory days of high school when life was simpler and all appeared right with the world. A poignant, coming-of-age story, Glory Days features music styles from pop and folk to contemporary rock.
GLORY, GLORY: ERIC’S NOTES ON GLORY DAYS They did. And Richard had the same reaction as I did. Those two young men, Nick Blaemire and James Gardiner, both at the ripe old age of 23, are premiering their very first musical Glory Days here at Signature. In Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, Charlie says "just don't write what you know, write what you know." And indeed they have — four friends from high school moving into a new generation, each on a separate path. Over the years, Signature has provided a home for local writers to premiere their work. Now, Nick and James can add their name to the list. Not only as “local boys make good” (both hailing from the Rockville area) but also as the youngest writers to grace our stage. Not many people are writing musicals at this age, let alone getting them produced. The idea of a brand new musical not based on pre-existing material is a rarity these days. Broadway is overcrowded with movie and book adaptations, with barely an original musical in sight. I am proud of Signature's commitment and support of new works and young writers. Too often in today's world of theater, few are given the chance — or the encouragement — to find their own voices. I am proud to have encouraged and inspired the talent you will be witnessing. So tonight, enjoy these fresh, new voices as we keep original theater alive. I could not be more proud of the exciting work that has been produced on the Signature stages this season. . Experience these new, original voices. Click here to buy tickets to Glory Days.
Get inside the sound of Glory Days. Hear a sample of the music featured in the upcoming world premiere production. We’ll post links on the Signature Speaks blog as we get closer to the show. But now, here’s your chance to catch one of the tunes: Good Old Glory Type Days, a poignant look back at childhood in the 90s. (please be patient, as the player may take some time to load) Come hear more of this rock-inspired musical. Click here to buy tickets.
A GLORIOUS DAY
Q: What made you want to write an original musical? James: I think one of the things Nick and I want to do with our work is express what it's like to be a part of our generation. And the only way to really capture that is to write from our own personal experiences. They always tell you to write what you know, I think we took that idea and really embraced it. There's a lot of Nick and myself in this show. Nick: And plus, writing a show with source material is just plain annoying because you have to go through all the bureaucracy of getting the rights. And while it does give you a structure to hang your songs on, it doesn't give you the opportunity to really try something new. When we came up with the idea for Glory Days, it seemed like the perfect first musical for us. Q: How do you guys work together? Nick: I'll write a song, record it, and send it to James. And then he'll tell me how much he hates it, and I'll go cry and write another one. Or more often he tells me I'm brilliant and my ego grows as we try to figure out a way to integrate it into the book. We've been writing this show for a while, so for us it’s been about trying to improve the parts of the score and story we know can be better, without sacrificing the heart of these guys that make us love writing. James: I also think one of the reasons we work so well together is because it really is a collaboration. It's easy to create divisions and say that I wrote the book and Nick wrote the music and lyrics, but collaborating on a musical isn't that simple. I know two of the songs that are now in the show were originally monologues — Other Human Beings and Right Here. At one point in time, those moments were solely supported by the book but have since been musicalized because Nick thought he could make those moments “sing.” To me, that was one of the most thrilling things about writing this book — giving Nick an idea and watching him turn it into something I never imagined it could be.
Q: How did you get teamed up as writing partners? James: Nick and I have been buddies since high school. We have a very similar sense of humor; we both really know how to kill a joke. And I think because of that we became close friends almost immediately. The summer after our freshmen year of college, Nick approached me with an idea for a new musical. He played me a song that he had written called Open Road (surprisingly one of only a handful of songs that still remains from the original draft) and after hearing that song I immediately jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the project. Nick: When I asked him to work on this show with me, it changed our relationship from a friendship to some non-sensual version of dating, where we bicker and fight like we're married. But if anything I would say our friendship has quintupled in strength due to the things we've learned about each other as writers. Q: What has been the best and worst part of developing Glory Days? Nick: I think the best and worst part about this process has been the fact that this is our first musical, together or apart. I mean, we've simply been learning how to write a musical, at ALL. It's extremely hard but it's also extremely exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding. So I wouldn't change a thing. It's also been hard to try to write this long distance, but in a way I think it’s been beneficial ‘cause its given us space and time to really figure out what we each want to say with no pressure.
Q: What's the feeling or emotion as you are about to begin rehearsals on this world premiere show? Nick: Words like euphoria. Excitement. Fear. Excitement. James: Ditto. Nick: We are the luckiest 23-year-olds in the world to be getting to put our show up with such amazingly talented people. Everywhere I look at Signature, from the cast to the creative team to the people behind the scenes and in the office, I am constantly bowled over at what they're capable of, and what they're bringing to this. It’s a dream come true. Click here to buy tickets to hear the freshest voices in American Musical theatre. To learn more about Nick and James, visit their website. photos by Carmelita Watkinson
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GLORY DAYS 
4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington, Virginia 22206 |
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