Liberty Jail • a musical

Liberty Jail • a musical

Book and Lyrics by Orson Scott Card

Music by C. Michael Perry

(For production by Professional Groups, College/University Groups, Community Groups, LDS Church Groups)

At the end of the persecutions of the Mormons in Missouri, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon and three others were imprisoned in a jail at Liberty, Missouri. The conflicts that arose there and the friendships that were formed shaped the future history of the Mormon Church — and also brought to Latter-day Saint Scripture the beautiful and poetic Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants. This musical drama will have your audience totally involved with beautiful music, a deeply moving story and a variety of characters.

There is some mild profanity that can be edited.

This musical would make the perfect “In Repertory” evening with the play, “Letter From A Prophet” as the same cast could do both shows on alternating nights.


PLAY DETAILS:

  • 11M 4W (doubling included)
  • Space setting
  • About 2 hours
  • Order #2005

Available for ALL producing groups.


REVIEWS

“Absorbing, moving … a powerful drama … powerful music.” PROVO DAILY HERALD.

“A Mormon classic! The score is lyrical and sometimes thrilling.” UTAH HOLIDAY MAGAZINE.


PERUSAL MATERIALS

  • The PERUSAL PAGES file is in PDF format and contains the first act of this 2-act musical.

  • Liberty Jail Original Cast Album is available for $14.99 (plus shipping and handling)  Order #2005f: HERE.

SONG LIST

  • Overture  •  Orchestra (3:51)
  • One of the Smith Boys / He’s Your Friend  •  Macrae & Company (1:02)
  • I Ain’t A Snake  •  Caleb (:46)
  • Time  •  Lyman (1:04)
  • I Thank Thee / A Place Without Sun  •  Sidney / Alex (2:41)
  • Simple Men  •  Hyrum (1:16)
  • When Did The Man Become A Prophet  •  Joseph, Hyrum (2:50)
  • Unremarkable They Grow  •  Hyrum (2:10)
  • Jailbreaker Jed  •  Prisoners (1:56)
  • God Is Near / Liberty Jail Sextet  •  Joseph / Prisoners (2:51)
  • Overture to Act 2  •  Orchestra (2:17)
  • Letters  •  Joseph, Hyrum, Emma, Mary (3:50)
  • Deeper Than You Know  •  Sidney (2:06)
  • Joseph’s Prayer  •  Joseph (2:16)
  • Brother Joseph / Only  •  Visitors / Hyrum (5:32)
  • Only (reprise)  •  Joseph, Hyrum  (2:08)
  • Pavilions / He’s Your Friend / Liberty Jail  •  Macrae & Company (4:15)
  • Curtain Call  •  Orchestra (:53)

SONG SAMPLES (from the Original Cast Recording)

SELECTED ORCHESTRAL DEMOS with the melody being played (made from the Finale Music Notation Files)


REHEARSAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE

  • Performance License Application: No production rights can be granted until this application is filled out and sent to us. This is a filler form that after you click “SUBMIT” will send directly to our email address. Response averages 2-3 business days.
  • Script in PDF format — Order #2005a : $25.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)



  • Vocal Book in PDF format — Order #2005b : $15.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)



  • Piano-Vocal Score in PDF format — Order #2005c : $25.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)



  • First Performance Ward/Stake/Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #2005d : Royalty terms quoted on application
  • Second Performance Ward/Stake/Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #2005e : Royalty terms quoted on application
  • Orchestration in PDF format — Order#2005h : $90.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production) Orchestrations available: Piano OR piano, bass, 1or2 flutes, 1or2 violins, banjo, electric guitar, vibes/electric piano(DX7 type)

    PerformanceTraks CD/DOWNLOAD — Order 2005 j : $75.00 rental fee (digital files need to be destroyed following your production)

  • Professional Performance License can be granted by filling out the Performance License Application: No production rights can be granted until this application is filled out and sent to us. This is a filler form that after you click “SUBMIT” will send directly to our email address. Response averages 2-3 business days.

NOTE ON SHEET MUSIC OF INDIVIDUAL SONGS: If you are looking for sheet music for a particular song from the show, we can make that available to you for a small fee. We have had a lot of demand for this and, while we love to make the big bucks, we would prefer to just meet you needs and get you the song you want at a more nominal price, which in the end is better for you and easier for us. 


Photos of the real Liberty Jail


PRODUCTIONS:

  • Greenbriar Theatre, West Jordan, Utah — 1979
  • Premiered at The Valley Center Theatre, Provo, Utah — 1978

This title is available exclusively from