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:: STORM! - A 21st Century Musical
This contemporary, new musical rides on the rollercoaster of our modern world in a direct and most entertaining way - playing in
a downtown bar during a raging storm, while the story evolves around the interaction of the varied characters that are
trapped in the location.
STORM ! celebrated its debut in front of 850 guests in a theater near Zurich on May 1st, 2009.
The Story
It's late evening, and somewhere on this planet, a coastal city is being battered by a rampaging storm. Roofs are being
ripped apart, and trees torn from their roots; in the midst of this, anxious citizens and visitors alike are seeking
refuge from nature's fury.
Act 1 - Unperturbed by the obvious danger, AJ, a tough down town barman, has
decided to keep his bar open, and watch the cyclones progress on the TV. Fate, in the guise of the storm, decides to
blow fugitives from the tempest through his door. The individuals bring with them their different characteristics,
their dreams, worries, loves and hopes; which unfold and entwine into each other as the storm makes its way overhead.
For instance, the war correspondent Lance drinking whisky to block out the nightmares in
his head, while Lou -a local madam- keeps him company; talking shop with Lance's old comrade in arms, ex-marine AJ. A
group of bored youngsters verbally mock Lou, who more than defends herself; from this outburst transpires a dialogue
with the lonely, single mother, Maria.
The usually immaculately dressed, and arrogant, investment banker, Eve, enters weather
beaten into the bar; she is soon identified as the corpus delicti of Gianni's unemployment. News commentaries
concerning the storm flash over the screen. The bar is thrown into darkness, and the bar's effects crash to the floor,
as the storm makes its presence felt.
Act 2 - The lights are back, and most of the guests are helping to bring the bar
into some kind of order. AJ advises Sascha to finally find the courage to show Maria his long hidden feelings to her. A
cell phone, a glass of coke, and a stained jacket cause a generation gap-rap; while three ladies withdraw to the rest
room for a female-only conversation.
The storm's rage has subsided, and emotions have softened; Gianni gets an unexpected job
offer from Eve. Sascha and Maria have found each other. The peace after the storm brings with it hope - hope for a
brighter life, and the strength in spirit to live it.
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The Creators, Crew & Cast
For Switzerland, Director and Choreographer Markus Buehlmann (Heidi, Deep, et al) created a dynamic stage play where
music, acting and dance are of equal significance. Co-Choreographers were Sean Stephens and Evelyn Bähler, Assistant
to the Director was Anne Maria Schmid. Renowned musical actors such as David Moore, Eveline Suter, Ulrike J. Nieding,
Gunvor Guggisberg and others, as well as a grooving live band, brought this storm fifteen times to a blast.
Credentials Swiss Production 2009
Book, Lyrics: Alex Johnson . Music: Andy Winkler, Alex Johnson; Sarah Huber ("Broken Toy")
Artistic Director: Markus Buehlmann. Music Director: Urs Wiesendanger
Songs in English, Dialogues in English and German, Translation: Gabriele Ruttloff
Musical: © 2009+ Seven Beland Ltd, Switzerland
Music: (p) 2009 Bar-Song Productions, Switzerland
Contact Seven Beland Publishing for new productions of STORM !
www.stormthemusical.com discontinued. (May 2010).
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