Fugitive Songs
by Chris Miller, Nathan Tysen

Fugitive Songs Book Cover — Fugitive Songs Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

90 mins Present Day Ensemble Cast Bare Stage/Simple Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk Award

Nominee: 2008 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Revue

Synopsis

Award-winning songwriters Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen's Fugitive Songs is a 19-song journey across America, featuring a multi-ethnic ensemble (3 men, 3 women) between the ages of 20 and 40.

This innovative song cycle, conceived as half-musical/half-hootenanny, spotlights people on the run: a disgruntled Subway sandwich employee, a jilted ex-cheerleader, a pair of Patty Hearst fanatics, a stoner forced to rob a convenience store against his will, and many others.

Blending traditional folk music with contemporary pop and gospel, Fugitive Songs offers a new sound for a restless America.

This eclectic score provides exceptional material for a wide range of experienced singers, and delivers poignant and thought-provoking lyrics that capture each character's "reasons to run."

Press Reviews

"Fugitive Songs is a fluid song cycle that centers on the theme of flight: specifically, running away … from home, from lovers, from troubles, from whatever. The show, therefore, has a picaresque quality akin to a modern musical rendition of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road."
— Talkin' Broadway, The Siegel Column

"The show is an excellent showcase for the five golden-voiced actors who bring its songs to life. But the real stars of Fugitive Songs are Miller and Tysen, who have created a tuneful, genuinely evocative score. Miller’s music features soaring harmonies with elements of folk rock, bluegrass and old-fashioned theatre music, and is backed up by a piano and terrific four-piece band. Tysen’s lyrics have moments of real wit and walk the line between rock and theatre with ease."
— Curtain Up

"A powerful yearning weaves through the tunes that make up Fugitive Songs, a song cycle tailored to anyone who has ever thought of shucking his job, his mate or his life to start anew."
— Variety

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Matt (20s) Cynical young man coming to terms with adulthood. Hits the road by bike and car. Holds up a gas station against his will, eventually lands a minimum wage job at a fast food chain. Rock/pop Tenor, up to a G.	male	20s	(20s) Cynical young man coming to terms with adulthood. Hits the road by bike and car. Holds up a gas station against his will, eventually lands a minimum wage job at a fast food chain. Rock/pop Tenor, up to a G.
Joshua (20-40) Bar stool philosopher. Moves to NYC for a girl right before she dumps him. After stumbling across America, he vows to be a voice of positive change. Rock/Pop Bari-tenor, up to a G.	female	20-40	(20-40) Bar stool philosopher. Moves to NYC for a girl right before she dumps him. After stumbling across America, he vows to be a voice of positive change. Rock/Pop Bari-tenor, up to a G.
Alysha (30-40) Finds herself continually trapped in stagnant relationships, but fears growing old alone. Dreams of being kidnapped like Patty Hearst. Strong belt, up to a D, good mix above that.	—	30-40	(30-40) Finds herself continually trapped in stagnant relationships, but fears growing old alone. Dreams of being kidnapped like Patty Hearst. Strong belt, up to a D, good mix above that.
Karen (20s) Spurned young woman, sassy, beautiful, with the whole world ahead of her. Chases her boyfriend through the woods after he misses her birthday. Strong belt up to a D, good mix above that.	female	20s	(20s) Spurned young woman, sassy, beautiful, with the whole world ahead of her. Chases her boyfriend through the woods after he misses her birthday. Strong belt up to a D, good mix above that.
Barrett (20s) An old soul with a strong connection to nature. She ends up walking across the country eventually finding new love with Gavin. Strong belt, up to a D, good mix above that.	female	20s	(20s) An old soul with a strong connection to nature. She ends up walking across the country eventually finding new love with Gavin. Strong belt, up to a D, good mix above that.
Gavin (20-30) Lonely man suddenly inspired to travel cross country, capturing photographs of a world he never thought he’d see. Eventually finds new love with Barrett. Rock/pop Tenor, up to a G.	male	20-30	(20-30) Lonely man suddenly inspired to travel cross country, capturing photographs of a world he never thought he’d see. Eventually finds new love with Barrett. Rock/pop Tenor, up to a G.