Sorry this is late, but you know how December is…

Back in early 2015, I was the Composer in Residence for Opera Colorado’s Generation OC – Page to Stage program. As part of this program, I worked with the theater department at Elizabeth Middle School, under the direction of Jody Urbas. They took the play Everything’s Coming Up Rosies (inspired by Rosie the Riveter) by Christina Hamlett (which takes place during World War II), and turned it into a musical, with a libretto by Cherity Koepke. Here are the final two songs I wrote for their lyrics.

Faye tells Vivian (flute) that Frank’s parents just received a telegram, and Vivian assumes that it is because Frank is coming home early. When she finds out the truth, she realizes that she has to say one final “Goodbye” to him. She still sees his face and hears his voice, so it seems like this isn’t real, which is why she can’t say goodbye. She kept her promise and waited for him, but he promised to come back and now he will never will. How can she say goodbye to him? They were supposed to be together forever, but now she will be alone forever. She wishes that she could see him one last time so that she could say goodbye.

“Bringing Our Boys Home on a Wing and a Prayer” is the rousing finale about all of the strong women, with star-spangled hearts, who are sacrificing and doing their part. They are taking care of business, working in factories, and keeping the home fires burning, to support the men who are working hard off at war.