Series 1, Episode 34: The River: Re-mastered and Uninterrupted

The River — A Musical Revelation, concept by Peter Link and William Spencer Reilly, Music and Lyrics by Yours Truly opened in New York at Off-Broadway’s Promenade Theater in January of 1988 to rave reviews by 23 of the 25 major critics who attended. Included in that was a rave from the New York Times, the all important hit maker, who stated, “The River is, in fact, a celebration, that is directly communicated from the performers to the audience. It is an abundant musical evening. It moves on to an even greater affirmation of the spirit of man. Join in the celebration! Join in the exaltation!” This is Part Three (of 3). Listen to the spectacular closing night of the Theatrical Concert in its entirety!

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Transcript

Scattershot Symphony #34

The River

Final Performance Concert

Re-mastered and Uninterrupted

Welcome to:

Scattershot Symphony

The Music of Peter Link

(That’s me.)

This week being the thirty forth episode of this podcast, I prefer to let the music do the talkin’.  However, if you need to know more about me, please visit Wikipedia.com – Peter Link.   

This episode is entitled

The River

Final Performance Concert

Re-mastered and Uninterrupted

Watchfire Music and Theater Of The Imagination present The River.

Welcome to the final performance of The River — A Musical Revelation, complete, uninterrupted, and re-mastered. Concept by Peter Link and William Spencer Reilly, Music and Lyrics by Peter Link. The show opened in New York at Off-Broadway’s Promenade Theater in January of 1988 to rave reviews by 23 of the 25 major critics who attended. Included in that was a rave from the all important hit maker, The New York Times.

I’ll let the critic from the NY Times tell you what the show is all about. I quote. “Peter Link’s, new musical “The River“ is a collage of rock, rap and pop, gospel, extolling water in spiritual and metaphorical terms. In Mr. Link’s lyrics, water falls, tumbles, rains and rushes in the streams, rivers to the oceans and is then drawn back into the heavens by the sun to begin the cycle again. Mr. Link parallels the cycle of water and the life cycle of man.” End quote. So, man falls from grace and travels in his or her lifetime across this material plain, Planet Earth, and hopefully, in the end, ascends back up into Heaven. The show, which has no spoken dialogue is entirely sung.

If you want to have an insider’s understanding of the history and the particulars of this production, please visit Peter Link’s podcast, Scattershot Symphony, Episode 27-29 for a detailed account of the life of this production. (Link to Podcast on WFM here)

It begins in the heavens, and its narrator, played most effectively by our tenor, John Danny Madden, sets the tone and leads us spiritually through the experience.  Omi, Omi, Omi Lenia an imagined Nigerian folk chant, translates to “Water is like man” followed by Oshun Oshun Awa Toro Alafia — “Goddess of the River, bring us peace.” This is followed by our opening number by the entire cast which sets the theme. So now, join Jenny Burton, Carol Dennis, Valerie K. Eley, Stehanie James, Lawrence Hamilton, Ray Stevens and Danny Madden in an evening of “spell-binding entertainment.” Let us begin.

The Concert — In Two Acts

Intermission

The River, for me, was certainly one of the highlights of my life.but don’t take my word for it. Here are the thoughts of the critics

From ~Don Thomas, Big Red News:

“Thank goodness for the newest musical production of Peter Link’s “The River.” The reason for the “thank goodness” is a simple one. For the first time a great Gospel revival has finally come and is not pushing God down your throat.”

Another from Mel Gussow, The New York Times:

Jenny Burton delivers! Her call to “Put the Fire Out” could marshal a bucket brigade.” Mel Gussow, The New York Times

Also from Deirdre DeLancey, The Black American, New York:

“Carol Dennis, not to be out done, strikes an equally felicitous note in a couple of solo turns, among which “ A Still Small Voice“ is particularly noticed.”

And now we take you to Act Two

*Some of the lyrics from the song “Carnival” were borrowed from a poem entitled, “Bagpipe Music” by Irish poet Louis MacNeice (1907-1963). His poem was definitely an inspiration for the song