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AMERICAN OPERA CLASSICS ROBERT ALDRIDGE Elmer Gantry Libretto by Herschel Garfein Phares • Risley • Rideout • Kelley • Buck Florentine Opera Chorus • Florentine Opera Company Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra • William Boggs

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Robert Livingston ALDRIDGE (b. 1954) Elmer Gantry (2007) An Opera in Two Acts Libretto by Herschel Garfein based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis Elmer Gantry ...... Keith Phares Sharon Falconer ...... Patricia Risley Frank Shallard ...... Vale Rideout Eddie Fislinger ...... Frank Kelley Lulu Baines ...... Heather Buck Reverend Arthur Baines ...... Matthew Lau T.J. Rigg ...... Jamie Offenbach Mrs. Baines ...... Julia Elise Hardin Revival Singer ...... William Johnson Binch/Bully/Worker #1 ...... Aaron Blankfield Keely Family Singers ...... Sarah Lewis Jones / Linda S. Ehlers / Paul Helm / Nathan Krueger Reporter ...... Peter C. Voigt Revival Worker/Worker #2 ...... Scott Johnson Ice Cream Vendor ...... Matthew Richardson Child ...... Katie Koester Man #1 ...... James Barany Woman #1 ...... Tracy Wildt Woman #2 ...... Kristin Ngchee Tour Guide ...... Margaret Wendt Women’s Chorus Leader ...... Julie Alonzo-Calteaux Florentine Opera Chorus Chorus-master: Scott Stewart Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra • William Boggs

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Director: John Hoomes • Producer/General Director: William Florescu Musical Preparation: Jamie Johns • Off-Stage Piano: Anne Van Deusen Producer and editor: Blanton Alspaugh (Soundmirror.com) Recording engineers: John Newton and Byeong-Joon Hwang Mixing/mastering engineer: Jesse Lewis Production Sponsors: Donald and Donna Baumgartner Keith Phares’s performance generously sponsored by the Marie Z. Uihlein Artist Fund With additional support from: Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts Milwaukee County Arts Fund The United Performing Arts Fund Support for the recording provided by: The National Endowment for the Arts Richard and Suzanne Pieper Frieda and William Hunt Memorial Trust Aaron Copland Fund for Music Blan and Katharine Aldridge Members of the Florentine Opera Board of Directors

ELMER GANTRY was premièred by Nashville Opera in November, 2007 and by Peak Performances at Montclair State University in January, 2008. Published by C.F. Peters Corporation, © 2005, all rights reserved. www.editionpeters.com The creators dedicate this opera to their children: Micaela Stark Aldridge, Hadi Roz Garfein, Lev Joseph Garfein.

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Qt. 2: There’s no escape now! There’s no escape now! 9 Epilogue CD I 69:24 Gehenna beckons! (Repeat) (Elmer and Dr. Evans Binch enter separately Elmer: I’m begging you, please come with me. downstage, shake hands. The final tableau of the Sharon: My people… previous scene remains in place upstage, lit in a way Act I Elmer: I’m begging you! that suggests the devastated opera house. The chorus Sharon: My people need me. I have to stay. and Sharon are turned upstage or visible through a Elmer: Please let me save you, Sharon… scrim.) 1 Scene 1: The Old Home Sample Room, Cato, Missouri, 1905. Sharon: My place is here, forever. Elmer: Dr. Binch. Great pleasure. Sharon: My place is here with the Lord forever. Binch: New Thought welcomes you. We greet... all [Elmer, Men’s Chorus, Frank, Bully] 5:20 Elmer: Just take my hand and we’ll fly together. parts... of the being. The sadness you 2 Scene 2: The President’s Office, Terwillinger College and Sharon: I have to stay with the Lord forever. carry. (Every phrase that passes Binch’s lips appears to Elmer (Gently): Take my hand. Take my hand. Come originate deep in his soul.) Seminary, Cato, Missouri, the next day. with me. Elmer: Thank you, sir. [Men’s Chorus, Rev. Baines, Elmer, Frank, Eddie, Lulu] 15:07 (He lunges and tries to grab her hand.) Binch (Correcting him): Hajji. Elmer: Take my hand! Take my hand! Elmer: You know, Hajji, Sister Sharon was reading 3 Scene 3: A field on the outskirts of Grauten, Missouri, 1906. (She fights him off furiously.) your book in her last days. I bet she’d [Elmer, Frank, Lulu] 10:44 Sharon: NEVER TOUCH ME! be getting a kick out of us working together and all. (He leaves.) Binch: She surrounds you. 4 Scene 4: Outside Sharon Falconer’s Revival Tent, Let God be true, and every man a liar Elmer: Well, I’m ready to start anytime. What do you say? Sautersville, Kansas, later that evening. Qt. 2, Chorus, Sharon (to herself): Binch (Leading Elmer off): I say “The oyster opens, There’s no escape now. There’s no escape now. showing a new pearl every day.” [Chorus, Ice Cream Vendor, Revival Worker, Revival Singer, Let God be true, and every man a liar. Elmer (As they leave): Gosh! You know, I really like that. Child, Sharon, Elmer, Keely Family Singers, Lulu, Frank] 23:02 Gehenna beckons. Gehenna beckons. Let God be true, Chorus: And flashing eyes and singing and liquid fire and every man a liar. and angels all around in the fire and calling to one 5 Scene 5: The Elks Lodge Meeting Room, Zenith, Let God be true. another. Missouri, 1911. (Controlling her panic, Sharon musters the last of her strength and sings out to the crowd): THE END [Sharon, T.J. Rigg, Men’s Chorus, Rev. Baines, Elmer] 7:04 Sharon: No! Friends! Hear my voice. Hear me. I don’t 6 Scene 6: The Pastor’s Study in the home of Eddie and see Hell. I see flashing eyes and singing and liquid fire and Lulu Fislinger, Cato, Missouri, 1912. angels all around in the fire and calling to one another. Sharon and All: And flashing eyes and singing and [Lulu, Eddie] 8:07 liquid fire and angels all around in the fire and calling to one another. I see flashing eyes and singing and liquid fire and angels all around in the fire and calling to one another. Sharon (over): Hear my voice. Hear me. Very slow crossfade to:

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Tell it all! She’ll never forgive me. there is an explosion and all lights — including house (All the following are sung simultaneously): and orchestra pit — go out. In the darkness, there is a CD 2 72:14 Eddie, Qt. 2: With tears in my/his eyes, I/he observed moment of confusion, then pandemonium breaks out. their filthy acts. People scream. After a few seconds, the lights come But imagine my/the surprise when he turned to face up on a radically different scene. Elements of the Act II my/the hiding place scenery are in tatters, smoke courses through, chairs And I/you realized who he was. are overturned, several people lie inert on the floor and Sharon: There are tears in my eyes. Oh God, You many others have fled. From now until the end of the 1 Introduction 0:51 wouldn’t. Oh, God. scene, time moves in a way that is more dreamlike than Elmer: There are tears in her eyes. Oh God, I’ll be realistic.) 2 Scene 1: Sharon’s suite, The Antlers Hotel, Lincoln, good from now on. Chorus: Fire! Fire! Nebraska, 1912. T.J.: There are tears in her eyes. Oh Hell, what’s going on? Smoke streams on crests of fire. Revival worker, singer: Tell it all to Jesus, tell of hope Cinders whirl in quickening spirals. [Elmer, Sharon] 14:36 and sadness, too. If you long for solace, He will listen Crimson flames vault to the rafters. 3 Scene 2: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, construction site, to you. Tell it all to Jesus, He will listen to you. Fire! Chorus (under): The tears in their eyes are proof Sharon: God won’t harm us! Go calmly! He’s with us! Zenith, Missouri, 1913. against lies. Elmer: One at a time! One at a time! [Tour Guide, Women’s Chorus, Elmer, Sharon, Frank, They must bring sin to light and say who he was. Quartet 2: Stay, people, stay. Crowd, Sharon: Bring sin to light and say who he was! Lulu: I’m frightened. T.J. Rigg, Eddie, Lulu, Rev. Baines, Mrs. Baines] 9:44 Eddie, Qt. 2: Imagine my/the surprise when I/you Eddie (To her): This is the end God wants for us. 4 Scene 3: Same setting, later that night. realized who he was. Chorus, Qt. 2, Sharon, Elmer: Elmer, T.J.: Oh, God I’ll be good from now on. / Oh, Smoke streams. [Frank] 7:02 Hell! What’s going on? Cinders whirl. 5 Scene 4: A hotel room in Zenith, Missouri, a few months later. Crowd, Sharon: Say who he was! Say who he was! Flames vault. Eddie, Qt. 2: I/You realized who he was. The Lord will come with fire, and [Elmer, Lulu, Eddie] 7:40 Elmer, T.J.: I’ll be good from now on. / What’s going on? He rebukes with flames of fire. 6 Scene 5: Sharon’s private sanctuary in the Tabernacle, All: Say who he was! Go calmly! Elmer (After a very brief silence) It was me. It was me, One at a time. One at a time. the same day. Elmer Gantry. Elmer: Sharon, come with me. There’s a back way out. [Sharon, Elmer] 5:06 Dear God in Heaven, You know it was me. T.J. (Overhearing): A back way out! That’s for me. Lord, You picked me up once, now I’ve fallen again. That’s for me. That’s for me. (He runs off.) 7 Scene 6: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, very late that night. (Tearfully) I’m a lyin’ adulterer, a prideful beast. Sharon: Don’t talk to me! Look, sweet Jesus. Look, I’m on my knees. Elmer: Sharon, don’t be crazy! [T.J. Rigg, Worker 1, Worker 2] 1:31 At the feet of Your saint. Before all Your people. Sharon: Stay away from me. (To crowd, nearly 8 Scene 7: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, Opening Night, 1913. Let Thy cross shine tenderly on me. (This is both a frantic): Please! If you love me, go calmly! If you love heartfelt plea and an instruction to a boy whose job it is me, go calmly. [Chorus, Revival Singer, Sharon, Elmer, Revival Worker, to throw the switch that controls the electric cross.) Chorus: Smoke streams! Cinders whirl! Flames vault! Eddie, Lulu, Mrs. Baines, Rev. Baines, T.J. Rigg] 19:25 Sister, can there be forgiveness for me? Elmer: Sharon, come with me! Sharon: In Heaven, or on earth? (Pause) Chorus: Now the doors are ringed with flame. 9 Epilogue: Another place, a few weeks later. Elmer: Sharon...? (To the boy): Light it up, son. (Brief Now the halls are caves of flame. [Elmer, Dr. Binch, Chorus] 6:19 pause) Sharon...? Those who fled are bursts of flame. (The boy throws the switch. The cross lights. Instantly, Their screams are flame. (Repeat)

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Elmer Gantry sing, joined by Elmer. Meanwhile, Eddie, Baines and Sharon: I know her... Music by Robert Livingston Aldridge (b. 1954) • Libretto by Herschel Garfein (b. 1958) Lulu make their way to the front of the house. Eddie: She was helpless to resist. The three, Elmer, Chorus: Lulu: He was expert in vile fornication. Elmer Gantry is an all-American opera. It presents us that things have not changed much in the subsequent Oh that first day Elmer: Aw, hell! with a particular moment in American history, the century. We also experience characters, and the Oh that day I’m singing of Eddie: They began a weekly tryst. period early in the twentieth century just before World evolution of characters – unprincipled people Oh that first day (Repeat) Sharon: Elmer’s old girlfriend... War I, when popular religion set out to appropriate unexpectedly do principled things, and vice versa; (1): That day he promised me. Elmer: She’ll spill it all... contemporary business models and when best-selling Elmer and Sharon learn something from each other, (2): Day folks open up Chorus (an outburst): Here’s a tale of sin coming to books argued that if Jesus were to come back today, he although neither one of them learns enough. Dance down here! light. would be president of the Rotary Club. But the real The source of the story is a section of Sinclair Oh that first day. (Then, under the following): Poor... dear... sad... dark. subject of the opera is one that runs through all of Lewis’s once-controversial, now-classic, American (Eddie leaps onto stage.) Eddie, Qt. 2: Suspecting the worst, I/he followed her American history, the pervasive and easily corrupted novel, Elmer Gantry (1927). Both the composer, Robert Elmer: Eddie...! one day power of religion. Livingston Aldridge, and the librettist, Herschel Garfein, Eddie: Gantry... To their place of assignation, where I/he hid from view. Elmer Gantry begins with sexual boasting and a are Americans, Aldridge from Presbyterian stock, Garfein Elmer: You know folks, the time ain’t right with the Sharon, Elmer: I/She’ll suspect the worst. I fear what bar-room brawl; it closes in an apocalyptic revival of Jewish heritage. They wrote their opera for American Lord for healin’. they’ll say. meeting. The title character is a former football player singers, more specifically for American singing-actors, Chorus: No sir. I fear it all rings true. who has become a huckstering evangelist who serves as who know how to internalize, then deliver, their own Elmer: Let’s get this man some counselin’ in the Elmer (Great show of sadness): God love ya! the business manager for an even more successful yeasty language, and how to sing many different kinds of “Ninety-nine Room.” Chorus: POOR SINNERS! evangelist, Sister Sharon Falconer. In one stirring and American music. When there is a discussion a class in Elmer, Chorus: “Ninety-nine sheep are in the fold...” Elmer (Aside): If they don’t shut up, I’m through. amusing scene, Elmer stages a mock football game Old Testament Hebrew that Elmer has been skipping, (Revival workers, moving in time to the music, Sharon (To Qt. 2): Keep going. during a service and scores a touchdown for Jesus Aldridge gives us some klezmer clarinet, making a little begin to steer Eddie off-stage.) Elmer (To all): Now I feel we could pray in silence. despite interference from some pitchfork-wielding little bow to his friend and librettist (CD 1 3). Eddie (desperately): Jesus will listen to me if the Sharon: No. Ignore him! Keep going. devils. One of the things that makes it particularly Like most serious artists in America – or anywhere Reverend won’t. Revival worker, singer, T.J., Elmer, Sharon: amusing is that we remember that Elmer had used the else – Aldridge and Garfein had to overcome major Sharon: In my temple, everyone is heard. Tell your story. “Tell it all to Jesus. same metaphor in the opening scene of the opera, but obstacles to bring their colorful, powerful and thought- (Meanwhile, Eddie’s companions have joined him Tell of hope and sadness, too. that time the score was sexual. Sex and sports and provoking opera to the stage. Nothing worthwhile is onstage. He and Lulu alternately address the This is gettin’ ugly. religion – a volatile compound. ever easy to achieve. congregation; What’s the big to-do? We also learn, early on, that Elmer Gantry is a The process all began at Christmas dinner in 1990, Rev. Baines and Mrs. Baines add their support.) If they don’t shut up I’m through. hypocrite, a prototype for such much-publicized when Aldridge and Garfein were still in their early Eddie: I neglected a husband’s duties. Keep going. contemporary American figures as Jimmy Swaggart, thirties. After the table was cleared they decided to Lulu: I was tempted by lust. He acts like a guilty man. Jim Bakker, and Ted Haggard. The difference is that watch a videocassette of the 1960 movie version of Eddie: I allowed my wife to wander. Chorus: Elmer is a well-meaning hypocrite who simply wants Elmer Gantry which featured Burt Lancaster as Elmer Lulu: I betrayed my husband’s trust. “Tell it all to Jesus. mutually exclusive things and enjoys all of them; he and Jean Simmons as Sharon. Aldridge said, “That’s a Lulu, Qt. 2: Adrift and confused, I/she fell prey to an He will listen to you.” does whatever he wishes without going through internal great subject for an opera, and I could write the music evil man. Oh God, You wouldn’t let him betray me. struggles over choosing the right thing. for it”; he is, after all, the son of a minister, a preacher’s A Christian man, in whose goodness I/she set store. Elmer (To all): How ’bout we light up that ole rugged In addition to the world of evangelism, we explore kid. Garfein added, “And I could write the libretto.” Elmer: Praise JESUS! You’re forgiven! cross? other aspects of period Americana – a Bible College (Garfein, a composer of quality himself, comes from a Chorus: Hallelujah! T.J.: Attaboy! faculty meeting (CD 1 2), the hustle of traveling theatrical family – his father is a stage and film director, Qt. 2: Wait, there’s more. Sharon: No! salesmen, and a meeting of the Elks Lodge (CD 1 5). his mother and sister are actors.) And the late mezzo- Sharon (Aside): What’s the matter with him? Elmer (To her): Or... let’s open our Bibles. The opera helps us realize that all of these groups, and soprano Lorraine Hunt, not yet the legendary Lorraine Chorus (under all the following): Here are poor, dear Sharon: No! If sin is here, let’s bring it to light. the individuals within them, are using comparable Hunt Lieberson, said she would like to tackle the role of people in a sad, dark plight. Chorus, Sharon, Elmer: methods to achieve the same secular economic goal, and the fervent female evangelist Sharon Falconer. Lulu: I succumbed to that devil’s advances. If sin is here, let’s bring it to light.

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Elmer, Sharon: “People will fall with Holy Ghost fire Elmer, Chorus: What is Love? Aldridge and Garfein had met at New England score sounds authentic – even though Garfein wrote the when you speak.” It is the air and light of every heart. Conservatory; Aldridge was a founding member of the words for all the hymns and Aldridge composed the People fall with Holy Ghost fire when she speaks. (To encourage the giving, the Revival Singer and the popular new-music collective Composers in Red music, which is not pastiche. Instead, the music is Chorus: Fall with Holy Ghost fire. Revival Worker join Elmer downstage. They sing over Sneakers, which Garfein subsequently joined. Both had something denser and richer, something that probes Sharon (over): And they fall, they do fall. the crowd.) already won their spurs as composers, but neither one of deeper because of the sophisticated musical mind and Elmer (ironically, to crowd): She’s crazy, alright. She’s The three men: Send it in. Send your love in. Send it them knew anything much about the opera world and experienced ear that Aldridge brings to the raw crazy alright. on down the line. how it operates. They found out the hard way – it was a materials from the vernacular; Garfein charted a parallel (He then takes over from Sharon.) Eddie: He stole that. He stole all of it. seventeen-year journey from that Christmas dinner to course in finding the poetry in colloquial American Elmer: I fell with the fire. I was the greatest of sinners Lulu, Rev. and Mrs. Baines: the world première at the Nashville Opera on 16th English, even the slang, of the period. ’til I heard her voice. Patience, sweetheart. Patience, Edward. November, 2007. American opera companies are not Aldridge’s musical imagination makes the choral Chorus (under): They fall with fire. They fall. They fall. All: For Love is the builder of every home; geared to further the ambitions of young composers, and music, in particular, quite exceptionally difficult to sing They fall. The kindler of fire on every hearth. commissioners are more interested in works by people – although it is catchy and easy to remember. Among Sharon: Our friend, Elmer Gantry. Our good friend in Elmer: And tonight, folks, we’re gonna have some who are already famous – even if their fame comes from other things, Aldridge has notated the kind of Christ... beautiful illustrated sermons, we’re gonna kindle that their accomplishments in areas far removed from opera. improvisational jubilation that marks choral and Elmer: Then my frozen heart thawed; majestic cross of electric lights, and Sister Sharon’s Everything began promisingly. First came the congregational singing of this kind. Sin became grace; gonna bring you a special message of healing. painstaking but exciting job of roughing out a scenario, Aldridge’s use of “What a Friend We Have in And grace turned to Love. (As the three men turn to take up new positions onstage, which evolved into a more labor-intensive job of cutting Jesus” also points to the major shift in direction away Chorus: Grace turns to Love. (Repeat) Eddie and his companions — and adding, shaping and revising. Ultimately Elmer from the novel that he and Garfein made as they Sharon: Divine Love of God. “Quartet 2” — are again heard from the house.) Gantry emerged as an opera in two acts, with thirteen experienced church services and revival meetings in Elmer God’s Love by grace. Qt. 2: Now. Now’s our chance. scenes and an epilogue. North Carolina. Lewis’s novel is almost exhaustingly Revival Singer, Revival Worker: Oh, that first day. Mrs. Baines: Brother Gantry, can you help me? In 1991 and 1992, Aldridge and Garfein travelled to satirical, a brilliant cartoon, really, and Elmer is a one- Elmer: Yes, that first day. Elmer: Someone... (turning back to the crowd): ... Is North Carolina to experience the old-time religion first- dimensional and profoundly unpleasant character. Chorus: Grace turns to Love on that first day. (Repeat) someone in need? hand – and to hear and assimilate the music of the old- Aldridge and Garfein may not have become converts to Elmer, Sharon: Grace turns to Love. Mrs. Baines: Yes, Brother. (She moves toward the stage.) time religion. They had a prestigious predecessor in this populist religion, but they recognized and felt its power Elmer (prompting crowd): AND…? Elmer (Locating her amidst the crowd): Ma’am... there endeavor. In the summer of 1934 George Gershwin for good as well as understanding how easily that power Elmer, Chorus: WHAT IS LOVE? you are. headed to South Carolina to study some of the regional can be diverted and exploited for personal and political It is the Evening and the Morning Star. Mrs. Baines (Half to Elmer, half to the crowd): It’s not African-American music he needed to know before he gain. They rounded out Elmer’s character – Gantry may (This is the cue for the collection. Above the heads of me, brother. It’s my son-in-law. He and my daughter could compose Porgy and Bess. There are echoes of not examine himself, or even understand himself, but he the crowd, a network of clotheslines runs from the rear have sinned horribly. Horribly. Gershwin in Gantry, and in fact the marimba-limned is at least an honest hypocrite whose enthusiasms are of the house to the stage. People wishing to donate Elmer: Is he present? opening of the opera pays tribute to the opening of real, even if they do not run deep. stand and attach dollar bills to these lines, which are Mrs. Baines: Yes. Porgy. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is sung by then pulled slowly to the front by revival workers on the Elmer: I feel he’s present. They’re both here. Elmer Gantry is full of hymns, gospel songs, Elmer’s college pal Frank Shallard, who has become a stage. As the lines fill and travel slowly forward, the (Becoming theatrical): Oh, I feel a great sadness is on marches, dances and all kinds of other period genre clergyman too, but one whose religious beliefs are effect created is of a graceful ballet over the heads of them... (out to the crowd): Will you come down? Will music that reflects the religious and popular music of constantly being tested by the realities of his world – the audience.) you let Jesus heal you? the period of the story. One can hear other influences as including the success of Elmer. To a silent Elmer, who (Eddie and his companions are heard from the house): Chorus, Elmer: well, notably Copland and Kurt Weill. But there is only hears but does not understand, Frank asks “Is belief a Eddie: Hey! that’s my sermon! Let Him heal you. (Repeat) Come down and pray with one bit of pre-existing music in the opera, a familiar gift? / How is conviction earned? / Fresh, boundless and Lulu: Quiet, sweetheart. Mom! hymn Aldridge must have sung countless times as a unwavering faith, / Can that be learned?” (CD 2 4) Rev. Baines, Mrs. Baines: Not yet, Edward. Not yet. Elmer (Peering into the house) And... and I see two dutiful young churchgoer – “What a Friend We Have in Something similar happens to the music that Eddie: But he stole my sermon! people... and there’s a third. And Hallelujah, they’re Jesus,” composed in 1868 on a poem written in Canada delivers Eddie Fislinger’s sermon, “What is Love? It is Lulu, Rev. and Mrs. Baines: I know. Be patient. Be coming down! in 1855. the morning and the evening star.” This becomes one of patient. (The revival singer and the revival worker begin to All of the other “period” music which illumines the the score’s leitmotifs, and a source of mirth when Elmer

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passes these words off as his own in various contexts, tribute to the coloratura skills Kelley has honed over For Jesus poured out his blood on Calvary Revival Singer: For Jesus has won from Death a victory, appropriate and not. Eddie himself loses control over his decades of early-music performance. Similarly Sharon’s That a wondrous love may arise in me. And to all mankind He says, “Arise in me.” own words as he prepares his sermon in the entrance aria 4 lay in the most lustrous part of Lorraine Arise in me! oh arise in me! Chorus: “Arise in me, oh arise in me,” extraordinary aria that closes Act I. He starts to sing “It Hunt’s range and called for all of the womanly and He poured out His blood on Calvary. To all mankind He says “Arise in me.” shines upon the cradle of the babe” but the words spiritual radiance she later became internationally Arise in me! oh arise in me! “Arise in me, oh arise in me,” “swindler bully” emerge unbidden from his lips; “it famous for. And is it going too far to hear in the sinuous To let a wondrous love arise in me. To all mankind He says, “Arise in me.” casts its radiance,” he continues, “on the quiet vermin vocal line of that aria, “The sun embraces the stony Oh! that the stormy gust would cease to be, Revival Singer and Chorus: lickspittle rutting lecherous ape.” Eddie becomes a earth” with its rippling accompaniment and solo flute an So the sweet breath of calm may arise in me. “Arise in me, oh arise. Arise in me, oh arise. Arise. figure both comic and tragic as he forsakes his own echo of Norma’s entrance aria Casta diva in Bellini’s And oh! that my sinning heart would cease to be, Arise. Arise.” beliefs and becomes as hypocritical in his own way as opera? Aldridge and Garfein even provide a comparable So an unblemished heart may arise in me. (The lights have been dimmed. A spotlight finds Elmer is in his (CD 1 6). cabaletta with chorus, “Jesus could be comin’ tonight” For Jesus has paid the debt and set us free, Sharon, who makes a grand entrance.) As the opera developed, Aldridge and Garfein (CD 1 4). That an unblemished heart may arise in me. Sharon: Behold... worked together in Aldridge’s home – or burnt up the Aldridge and Garfein raised $75,000 for a second Arise in me! oh arise in me! Chorus: BEHOLD! phone lines between Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. workshop of what they thought was the complete opera Jesus paid the debt and set us free. (Pause) They also made a pact to listen to an opera every day. It two years later. But at that point the Boston opera Arise in me! oh arise in me! Sharon: Behold the city is Thine. was a pact frequently broken, but they did study several company that had funneled the money for those Let that unblemished heart arise in me. Chorus: Thine, Thine alone operas like Boris Godunov, Die Meistersinger, and workshops decided not to produce the work. Pantomime Behold, the city is Thine. Peter Grimes in which the chorus becomes the voice of Aldridge and Garfein then began to shop their opera (As the orchestra plays, Elmer runs onto stage wearing Sharon: This beautiful old opera house is Thine. the community, as well as the operas of Verdi that around to more than a dozen other American companies an all-white football uniform with a golden cross on the Chorus: Thine, Thine alone. provide examples of complex musical characterization. – at their own expense. Many companies expressed no back. He carries a Bible bound in the shape of a Sharon: And this wonderful symphony orchestra... As their work progressed, Aldridge and Garfein interest; an occasional glimmer of promise would end in football, which he opens and displays for the crowd. A Chorus: Thine alone. made a studio recording of two extended scenes from defeat. Meanwhile, Aldridge worked at orchestrating the revival worker brings an older minister (in clerical Sharon: This choir, so mighty in His praises... the opera in order to apply for support from the Lila whole score, and collaborated with Garfein on making collar) up from the audience. The crowd chants): Chorus, Revival Singer: Thine only, thine alone. Wallace-Reader’s Digest “Opera for a New America” many cuts in the hope of creating a more effective opera Chorus: HAL, HAL, HALLELUJAH! Behold, the city is Thine. program. They received a $13,000 grant that they used – and a more performable one, not to mention a more (Elmer gives the minister the football, indicates that he (In what follows, Sharon addresses the crowd in a for a piano-accompanied workshop production in budgetable one. The collaborators slimmed a 4 1/2 hour is to snap it to him. Three attractive female dancers in profoundly personal way.) Boston in 1992. The laughter and applause you can hear piece down to one that now lasts about 2 hours and 25 devil costumes appear onstage. Each has the number 6 Sharon: I say some crazy things sometimes. I’ve said I’m on this recording from Florentine Opera in Milwaukee minutes, according to the printed score, although most on her back. They stand in a row, backs to the a priestess; I’ve said Jesus talks to me. I’m Joan of Arc. was present even on that earlier, incomplete opening productions to date have made additional minor trims. audience, and wiggle their bottoms suggestively. Then (Elmer picks up her intimate tone, translating it.) night – only half the opera was performed, because The chorus appears as Bible College faculty, they turn and take up football positions in opposition to Elmer: She’s crazy alright. She said she’d take over the that’s how much of it had been completed. Garfein was farmers, members of the Elks Lodge, and various other Elmer and the minister. At the moment of the snap, the biggest opera house in the state and fill it full of the stage director, and the “original cast” included congregations; Aldridge ensures variety not only by chorus shouts): worshipful Christians! Lorraine Hunt as Sharon, Metropolitan Opera baritone writing for full mixed chorus, but also for men’s chorus, Chorus: HIKE! Chorus: Thine, Sharon, thine alone. Vernon Hartman as Elmer, and Frank Kelley as Eddie – women’s chorus, and even a “family” gospel quartet led Pantomime of Elmer receiving the snap, breaking Sharon: And I say angels came to my room. Kelley is the only singer who has consistently appeared by a solo gospel singer. Collectively the chorus violently through the line of devils, making a I was twelve years old when they took me up. in Gantry since the beginning, but it is fair to say that all represents the voice of the people, a vox Americana. touchdown, dancing in celebration. The devils, inert, Chorus: Thine, Sharon, thine alone. (Repeat) of that first group of singers provided significant Aldridge and Garfein have also given solo arias to are dragged off-stage. Sharon: Took me West over prairies and canyons. inspiration for Aldridge and Garfein to develop their six of the principal singers, Sharon and Elmer of course, Everyone resumes the hymn.) Below me, I saw grainfields falling in fiery sheaves. roles. Eddie Fislinger’s aria that now ends the first act is Frank Shallard and Eddie Fislinger, Lulu Baines and her Oh! that life’s brackish stream would cease to be, An angel said, “People will fall with Holy Ghost fire quite specifically tailored to Kelley’s gift for father, Rev. Arthur Baines. Most of them do not achieve So the living waters may arise in me. when you speak.” communicating uncensored emotion and the ironic closure and court applause in the nineteenth-century And oh! that all earthly things would cease to be, Elmer, Sharon: “People will fall when you speak.” laughter Aldridge composed into this bitter scherzo is a manner, but instead evolve into other things. Lulu is a So eternal life may arise in me. Chorus: Fall with Holy Ghost fire. (Repeat)

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in. (She hands him back the book. He starts to go.) the lights fade. In the darkness, it is again the only little minx, the daughter of the president of the Bible (CD 2 8). This has celebratory choruses, the football “New Thought” Simple… “New Thought”… Beautiful! thing visible. After a moment, it is turned off.) College, one of Elmer’s girlfriends, and ultimately the ballet, moments of prayer, an offering (“What is Love?” (He is gone.) wife of Eddie Fislinger; her arietta evolves into a for the last time). Revengeful figures from Elmer’s past Sharon: Sometimes he can be so convincing. 8 Act II, Scene 7 delicious double entendre trio. The words and music at file forward to confess, repent and be forgiven; the But God, look into my heart. The next evening. The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle. first sound as innocent as something from Hansel und influence of the finale of Mozart’s Don Giovanni is Know that I have loved You, Your falconer. (The stage of the opera house has been transformed Gretel, but before long the trio is at once sexy, perverse, inescapable. Elmer is exposed, tries to repent, this time If this man can really love me, what should I do? into a huge altar which rises up from the stage to dreamlike, funny and sad (CD 2 7). for real, but he cannot even do that; to distract attention, (The same lighting change, and Elmer appears again, disappear above the proscenium. It is a grand modern These arias develop remarkably vivid he directs a boy to throw the switch to illuminate the rather bashfully holding out a ring box to her.) day retable, an intricate affair of carved scrollwork, all characterizations. Sister Sharon is always off in her own electric cross. It explodes and the tabernacle goes up in No, Elmer. white with gilt overlays. A few feet above floor level, to world; she seems to be in a state of perpetual trance. flames. Sister Sharon refuses to let Elmer rescue her; Elmer: Please, Shara, Marry me, my darling. Let me serve as a backdrop to the baptismal font, it holds a Elmer, on the other hand, is always out in the world. He this is her Immolation Scene (CD 2 9). take care of you. Even boss you around a little. (He huge panoramic trompe l’oeil painting of the River doesn’t have much of an inner life to expose, so most of The libretto has set all of this forth with clarity, starts to go.) Will you? Will you? Will you? Jordan. Set above that, there is a small stage on which his arias are public performances like his patter-song ingenuity and theatrical daring, and the music rises to (She is alone again. Long pause.) are displayed the many crutches, braces, wheelchairs, shilling for Pequot Farm Implements, which he the occasion; one can hear the licking of the flames and Yes, my wonderful cast-iron statue of ignorance. Yes, etc. that have been cast off during Sharon’s previous interrupts with a parlor ballad about a dying farmer who then feel the hot flare. Finally we see Elmer again. He is yes, yes. services. Higher up, panels feature other devotional bought the right implements and saved his property a survivor, and he is on to the next thing, rewriting Slow fade to black themes, an American flag, etc. Just in front of the (CD 1 3). Towards the end he delivers a public aria of history as he goes. The fire has become fluid and the last backdrop there are white thronelike chairs for religious repentance, with chorus; he is still working the crowd. word is not Elmer’s; we hear the united voices of the 7 Act II, Scene 6 and civic dignitaries in attendance (T.J. Rigg, dressed Later, when he needs to, he cannot repent convincingly, dead singing Sharon’s dying words about angels in the One hour later. The same setting. in Elks finery, occupies one); interspersed between and, trying to divert attention, creates a disaster. flames, singing and calling to one another. Elmer has (In the darkness left by the previous scene, a huge cross these chairs, flagpoles bearing the American flag, the Elmer’s one moment alone begins as an angry left the stage, so we do not know if he is haunted by of electric lights flickers on, suspended in mid-air. After Christian flag, and the Missouri state flag; to the sides, personal response to being rejected by Sister Sharon these voices; we do know that we are. a few seconds, it turns off. A moment’s pause in the the robed choir stands, elevated on platforms and which turns into a ringing address to God who, through After the première in Nashville, the production darkness, then it flickers on again. T.J. Rigg is backed by huge white half-shells. The edges of the Sharon, has “opened him down to the bone.” This is at moved on to Montclair State University in New Jersey. standing facing upstage, looking up at the cross.) orchestra pit have been decorated with flounce-like once an accusation and a moment of triumph, for Elmer The University of Houston and the University of Recitative protuberances resembling the open petals of a lily. The believes that God has filled him with “howling” words Minnesota have since produced it – Elmer Gantry is T.J.: Oh, Lordy. conductor wears white. Hanging high above the stage and that he will never be the same again – “Never the proving to be a piece that ambitious opera-training 1st workman: What d’ya think, Mr. Rigg? is the cross of electric lights, not yet turned on. same!” Except this is ironic too – Elmer is always the programs want to turn their students loose on. Florentine T.J.: Lord, that’s beautiful. Downstage is Sharon’s central pulpit, a simple white same, whether he realizes it or not; his aria is self- Opera’s general director William Florescu decided to (A 2nd workman is heard from off-stage.) affair currently festooned with flowers. In front of that, dramatization, not self-revelation (CD 1 4). create the second professional production, bringing the 2nd workman: Joe, I had to put it into the same circuit the mourner’s benches of unfinished wood that we saw Aldridge’s remarkably supple score mingles the original stage director and conductor (John Hoomes and with the marquee and the dome lights. in Act I. These benches are the only rustic element arias and choruses with recitative, conversations like the William Boggs, respectively), but using new costumes 1st workman: O.K. remaining in the scene.) spooky one between T. J. Riggs and the electricians who and building a redesigned set. Florescu retained (Pause. He stares at it appreciatively. To TJ): (The lights come up suddenly and brightly onstage and are setting up the electric cross in Sister Sharon’s new emerging star baritone Keith Phares in the title role, but That’s something, huh? throughout the house. The Revival Singer leads the tabernacle (CD 2 6), a love duet (CD 2 2), a trio (CD 2 also engaged some new singers, arranged for a national T.J.: I could just stare at that forever. (To 2nd choir and the congregants in a hymn.) 5), the gospel quartet (CD 1 4) which is actually a broadcast, and this Naxos recording. workman, off-stage): Everything O.K. down there? Hymn quintet, and, in an exercise of tremendous compositional Florescu says Elmer Gantry is a wonderful example 2nd workman: I’d look into a new generator before long. Revival Singer and Chorus: virtuosity, an octet in which two quartets of opposing of how composers today are unapologetic, indeed T.J.: Will do, will do. (To both): Thank you, men. Oh! that my nightly watch would cease to be, forces interact (CD 2 3). messianic, about the musical language they use. “Bob 1st workman: ’Night, Mr. Rigg. Best of luck tomorrow. So the dawn’s glad promise may arise in me. Everything in the opera converges in the dazzling was not pandering or trite, or derivative, and Herschel’s T.J.: Goodnight, fellas. And oh! that my anxious fears would cease to be, and apocalyptic final scene, the opening and dedication libretto is really excellent – what great words he gave (Alone on stage, he turns to regard the cross again as So a wondrous love may arise in me. of Sister Sharon’s The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle Bob to set. And the piece breaks the mold of insider

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opera – Elmer Gantry has demonstrated that a “The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be Lulu: Sure I do. (The phone rings.) Elmer (off-stage): Sounds good... successful and important opera does not have to have its happy.”) One of the greatest blows to religion in Elmer (Nervously): Oops. Stay right there. Eddie: You naughty girl. première on either of the coasts. I am very proud that we America came during the infamous Scopes Monkey (Just as he leaves, Lulu hurries to a door, lets Eddie in.) Elmer (off-stage): So long. did it here in the flyover zone!” Trial at which Clarence Darrow bested William Elmer (off-stage): Hello? ... Darling! Lulu: Your naughtiest girl. Following the première in Nashville, one man Jennings Bryan in debates of evolution versus Lulu (to Eddie): You’re late. (Elmer hangs up and walks back in, just as Eddie turned to his wife and said, “This is better than any creationism. The drowning of beloved female evangelist Elmer: Oh, yes, love you too... conceals himself and Lulu returns to the altar. As they Broadway show. And to that we can say, Amen. Aimee Semple McPherson in 1926 seemed to be a Eddie: Did I miss...? sing the Trio, Elmer stalks Lulu around the altar; they national tragedy until she showed up in Mexico, dressed (She claps her hand over his mouth, pushes him back engage in love-play in various places; and Eddie sings Richard Dyer to the nines. She had apparently been having an affair, out the door, and resumes a seductive pose just as from his vantage point, transfixed by what he sees.) and the event compromised her marriage as well as her Elmer reappears.) Elmer, Lulu, Eddie: Richard Dyer covered music in The Boston Globe for career. Her awkward reappearance also caused Lewis to Elmer: Uh huh. OK... Bye bye. (To Lulu): Go ahead. A little man stands by a house; 33 years and followed the fortunes of Elmer Gantry rewrite the death scene of the novel’s female evangelist Lulu: A little man stands by a house; Red in the face, for his burden is heavy. from the beginning. Since his retirement from the Sharon Falconer. Red in the face, for his burden is heavy. A forest surrounds the house; newspaper he has been creating podcasts for the Lewis’s biographer Mark Schorer described Elmer A forest surrounds the house; And deep in the house, a magic stove, Boston Symphony Orchestra, writing program notes, Gantry as “the noisiest novel in American literature, the And deep in the house, a magic stove, Delightfully warm and glowing. lecturing, and teaching at the Tanglewood Music Center. most braying, guffawing, belching novel that we have.” Delightfully warm and glowing. But the threshold is slick and the hallway snug. Filled with extravagant writing, strobe light scenes of But the threshold is slick and the hallway snug. The man has to struggle and fuss and tug revivalist mayhem, and a vast quantity of Golly! and The man has to struggle and fuss and tug Until the walls clutch at him, tumble him in; The Bully Pulpit: Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis Gee!, the novel’s hectic prose is the perfect setting for Until the walls clutch at him, tumble him in; And dashing his burden, he swoons by the stove. one of fiction’s greatest scoundrels. Elmer lives as a And dashing his burden, he swoons by the stove. Slow fade to black When Sinclair Lewis arrived in New York in September hard-drinking, sweet-talking rover until he meets Sister (The phone rings.) 1926, he was met by his publisher Alfred Harcourt. He Sharon. Elmer thinks he’s in love, but the poetry Elmer: Damn! Won’t be long. (He goes to answer it.) 6 Act II, Scene 5 handed Harcourt a heavy black bag. “What is it?” asked “gushing” in him is part ego, part greed. (To be honest, Lulu: Sweetheart, don’t worry. Later that evening. Same setting. the publisher. “Dynamite!” replied the author in a stage this also characterizes the good Sister.) (She goes immediately to the door, lets in Eddie.) (Sharon is kneeling in prayer.) whisper. The bag held the half-finished manuscript of Certainly, naturalistic portraits of the clergy existed Elmer (off-stage): Hello? Sharon: Dear God, look into my heart. Elmer Gantry, a novel about a silver-tongued saver of in American literature, Harold Frederic’s The Eddie: What did I miss? I have been Your servant, Your follower, Your falconer. souls whose private life was an unabashed repertoire of Damnation of Theron Ware (1896), for example. In that Lulu: Not much, but hurry. Let tomorrow be my offering to you. hypocrisy and vice. It would indeed prove to be Lewis’s novel, readers at least found a sympathetic character. (Lulu tries to get Eddie into a hiding place. He caresses If I’ve been proud along the way, forgive me now. most incendiary work. But Lewis offered no such consolation with Elmer her.) If I have angered men or divided them, forgive me now. At the time, Lewis had published two of the five Gantry. What he tapped into with this novel touched the Elmer (off-stage): Oh, yes sir! No, it’s fine. Forgive me and your servant Elmer for all our words novels on which his critical reputation rests, Main Street American psyche at a time of significant shifts in Eddie: Been a good girl? and deeds… (1920) and Babbitt (1922). The year before, Lewis had national character and religious practice. Lewis’s Lulu: No. Been very naughty. (A subtle lighting change, and Elmer is there, handing won – and refused – the Pulitzer Prize for his novel admittedly crude treatment of Gantry should have been Eddie: Not a good girl? (He is trying to embrace her, a book to her.) Arrowsmith. With Elmer Gantry (1927) and the Nobel interpreted as the burlesque its author intended, but the resisting her efforts to get him to hide. She reciprocates Elmer: Shara! this Eastern mystic stuff, THIS is the Prize winner Dodsworth (1930), Lewis gained a outrage was real and widespread. One pastor invited his caresses, all the while trying to move him to a future. Have a look. reputation as a sort of American Diogenes. His scathing Lewis to a lynching party in Virginia, while another in hiding place, and keeping an alert eye on Elmer.) (She reads the title from the cover of the book): wit, his all-seeing eye, and his cynical outlook made Maine wondered if there was no “respectable and Lulu: Very naughty. You’ll see. Sharon: The Seven Principles of New Thought Power him the literary equivalent of that other favorite skeptic righteous way” of putting Lewis in jail. To understand Elmer (off-stage): I promise you you’ll have your with Key to World Religions by Dr. Evans Binch. of the period, H.L. Mencken. this, we have to remember the legacy of Puritanism in money Wednesday… Yep. You have my word, sir. Elmer: This Binch guy is onto something. Here’s what: During the 1920s, the Puritanism that had long the America of the 1920s. Eddie: We’ll get him back for everything, won’t we? we set up these New Thought seminars all over the sustained American character seemed to be drowning in That the Puritans came to North America to escape (His embrace is now frankly sexual.) place, we hire some teachers, pay ’em peanuts. And you a sea of bathtub gin. (Mencken defined Puritanism as religious persecution in England is well known to every Lulu: Yes. (She leads him to a hiding place.) and I retire to Ole Virginny while we keep on rakin’ it

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Qt. 2: Their wine is from the vine of Sodom (etc.) What a privilege to carry schoolchild. What may be surprising is that religious worshippers. The conversion was the climax of the Qt. 1: Times must change. Times must change. (etc.) Ev’rything to God in prayer.” conflict began among the Pilgrims as early as the 1660s. popular outdoor camp meeting or revivals that Qt. 2: Moneychangers and Pharisees; moneychangers Is belief a gift? In the next decades, religious enthusiasm began to characterized the Second Great Awakening during the and Pharisees. (etc.) How is conviction earned? decline. New England clergy responded by adopting an mid-nineteenth century. Gradually, these revivals All: Times must change, must change, must change; Fresh, boundless and unwavering faith — emotional style of preaching known as the jeremiad, became complex, highly-orchestrated events sometimes And that’s why Jesus said, Can that be learned? influenced by the prophecies of Jeremiah with its lasting several days. He said, “Your old bottles cannot hold this wine.” (etc.) I have craved belief. emphasis on joy, fervor, and anxiety about displeasing The modern crisis of faith – one that many believe (The female revival workers march across the stage.) Lasting conviction I have sought. God. Also around this time, the Puritans lost political is still with us – came about by the end of the nineteenth Women: We are soldiers fighting on the front line, Yet doubts have flooded my heart, control of their territory to the British. In 1692, the century. A combination of factors led to an intellectual We are sailors throwing out the lifeline, Casting conviction out. Salem witch trials showed how extreme religious reaction against revivalism: Darwinism, increasing We are umpires spotting from the sideline, Days I put to useful purpose, anxiety had become. John Winthrop’s vision of a city of awareness of non-Christian faiths, and higher biblical If we come through, everything will go fine. Nights are hard to bear. a hill had faded remarkably quickly. criticism that aimed to analyze the Bible not as the All: “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” For then, their singing comes to haunt me, British influence in New England helped liberalize divinely-inspired word of God but as an ancient artifact. Blackout Mocking me in all I do; society by bringing in European Enlightenment ideas. In addition, proponents of what became known as Social An old song about their old friend, Jesus — The colonists reacted with the first Great Awakening, an Gospel sought to utilize the Bible to right social wrongs. 4 Act II, Scene 3 Laughable, yet true. anti-intellectual religious movement that occurred By the 1920s, events like the Scopes trial and the That night. The same setting. (At the piano again): “Can we find a friend so faithful? between the 1730s and 1770s. Pastors like George “disappearance” of Sister Aimee seemed to offer proof (Work on the tabernacle has stopped for the night. Who will all our sorrows share? Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards exhorted the faithful of the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of American Ladders and tools remain in view. Frank and Elmer Jesus knows our every weakness...” to remember that they were sinners in the hands of an religion. have cleared space on one of the chorus risers. Around But what if you can’t pray? angry God. The Presbyterian preaching family of Elmer Gantry struck America in a tender spot them are a few papers, two glasses, a half-empty bottle. (He and Elmer regard each other silently as the lights William Tennent and his four sons led colonial religious during a time of doubt. Lewis’s audaciously unflattering On the other side of the stage there is a gaudy white slowly fade to black.) revivals and founded a training seminary. These portrait of the clergy attacked an institution struggling to piano (partially covered) which Frank will play. The preachers used vivid, emotionally-charged sermons to maintain its integrity. In his daring, Lewis had the full two have been talking most of the evening. Elmer listens 5 Act II, Scene 4 remind their listeners of their sacred destiny as support of essayist H. L. Mencken who contended that to Frank, says nothing.) One year later. The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle. Christians. In fact, what we think of as manifest destiny “deep within the heart of every evangelist lies the wreck Frank: Is belief a gift? (As the lights come up, Elmer is heard talking on the or American exceptionalism originated in the jeremiads of a car salesman.” The Sage of Baltimore had praised How is conviction earned? telephone just off-stage. The telephone cord is long of the Great Awakening. both Main Street and Babbitt from his own bully pulpit Aria Fresh, boundless and unwavering faith — enough that he can come a few feet onto the stage while Increasingly, itinerant revivalists began to travel in the pages of the Smart Set, noting ironically that Can that be learned? talking. Beneath the Grand Altar, amid cast-off clothes, around the countryside, preaching outdoors and “[Lewis’s] apprenticeship in the cellars of the tabernacle I have craved belief. a woman is lying with her back to the audience. We gathering converts in large numbers. The fire-and- was not wasted.” Lewis repaid the kindness by Lasting conviction I have sought. become aware that it is Lulu Baines.) brimstone theatrics of these preachers deeply offended dedicating Elmer Gantry to Mencken “in profound Yet doubts have flooded my heart, Canzonetta and Trio the more conservative clergy. The revivalists’ success admiration.” Of course, Lewis being Lewis, he added Casting conviction out. Elmer (off-stage): ... 600 lightbulbs delivered and their disdain for traditional congregational churches the rather disingenuous assertion that “no character in The faith I lack torments me tomorrow ... done! ...200 gardenias... done! ... Me?... presented a serious challenge to church authority. this book is the portrayal of any actual person.” When I hear the faithful sing. nervous?... no, everything’s fine... please don’t call me By the 1820s, evangelical Protestant sects Singing of the friend they have in Jesus, for an hour, I’m at work on my sermon... Bye, dominated religion in the United States. They stressed Leann Davis Alspaugh Eyes closed, rocking to and fro, darling...bye bye. the importance of the conversion experience – religion God’s assurance surrounds them (He enters. To Lulu): through the heart rather than the head. This profound Leann Davis Alspaugh writes about opera, With a comfort I will never know. Got a bedtime story for me? transformation came about through the powerful words literature, and the visual arts. (At the piano, he plays and sings): Lulu: Won’t she tell you any? of a preacher and the collective enthusiasm of fellow “What a friend we have in Jesus, Elmer: Sharon’s kinda high and mighty. You still All our sins and griefs to bear. understand ole Elmer.

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Synopsis the grip of a true conversion. In a state of agonized Sharon: “I have seen thy patience.” Sodom, their grapes are gall. delirium, he hears these words over and over: “Never T.J.: ... And we’ll indemnify it. The old-time Hell will swallow them all. CD 1 the same again.” Elmer: Thatsa lot of mazuma. They’re the moneychangers and Pharisees of whom Sharon: “I have heard thy prayers.” Jesus said, Act I 5 Scene 5: The Elks Lodge Meeting Room, Zenith, T.J.: ... And we’ll publicize it. “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” Missouri, 1911. Frank (To Elmer): Don’t get carried away, old pal. Eddie and Qt. 2: We have to save the gospel from 1 Scene 1: The Old Home Sample Room, Cato, Sharon Falconer appears before the Elks Lodge of Zenith. People trust you. hypocrites, keep it in our care. Missouri, 1905. She attempts to enlist the aid of the city’s elders in Elmer: Thatsa lot of mazuma. Be not prey to Satan’s ruse, fall not in his snare. Elmer Gantry, captain of the Terwillinger College realizing her dream: to build a grand tabernacle in their Sharon: “I will make thee to walk upon high places.” Lulu (aside, regarding Sharon and Elmer): Look at football team, and his roommate Frank Shallard are city. Elmer, now a successful businessman, intervenes on T.J.: We will beautify it and advertise it. that hussy returning his stare! getting drunk in a local bar. Elmer regales the patrons her behalf. The Elks sing in celebration of civic pride. Frank: Don’t get carried away. Elmer: We have to pitch the gospel in magazines, print with stories of his sexual exploits. A bully picks a fight Reporter (Spoken): Mr. Gantry, what do you say to it up in Braille, with him, saying he attends a “sissy bible school.” Elmer 6 Scene 6: The Pastor’s Study in the home of Eddie those critics who fear that this tabernacle will Send it out in catalogs that offer it by mail. sucker punches him. The barroom erupts in chaos. and Lulu Fislinger, Cato, Missouri, 1912. commercialize the Christian faith? Frank (aside): But it goes down in worth when it goes There is an undercurrent of tension in the home of the Rev. Eddie (a soft aside): Amen. up for sale. 2 Scene 2: The President’s Office, Terwillinger Eddie and Mrs. Lulu Fislinger. Eddie has begun preparing Elmer: I don’t say anything. Jesus said it a whole lot Qt. 2: Their wine is from the vine of Sodom, (etc.) College and Seminary, the next day. his Sunday sermon when he pauses over a newspaper story better than I can. Truly... Frank: “Stand still,” the prophet said. “Stand still Elmer is called in to a prayer meeting by the college about the proposed building of Sharon and Elmer’s (Elmer, Sharon, Frank and T.J. sing as Quartet 1.) And see salvation from the Lord.” president, Rev. Baines. Captivated by the president’s tabernacle. When he resumes his sermon, his hatred and Octet If there’s truth to being saved, pretty daughter, Lulu; enticed by the promise of a full envy of Elmer infect his theme of Christian Love. Elmer: New wine has to go in new bottles, not in old. I’m sure it’s a quiet working, a private urging, scholarship to the seminary; and cajoled by Eddie Modern life affects the way the story’s told. And our meddling’s in the way. Fislinger, head of the campus YMCA, Elmer fakes a CD 2 Times must change, and that’s why Jesus said, Lulu (aside): What are they doing at night, if they’re so conversion, to the chagrin of his roommate Frank. The “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” lovey-dovey by day? scene ends amid a chorus of Hallelujahs. Act II Sharon: We will shout the gospel to the deaf, dance it Qt. 1: We will shout the gospel to the deaf, dance it for for the dim. the dim. 3 Scene 3: A field on the outskirts of Grauten, 2 Scene 1: Sharon’s suite, The Antlers Hotel, Be a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. Be a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. Missouri, 1906. Lincoln, Nebraska, 1912. Elmer: We have to light the gospel in electric lights, Qt. 2: If we hold the gospel unsullied and pristine, Now in seminary, Elmer Gantry makes unauthorized use Working as business manager within Sharon’s ministry, speed it out on trains, The world will know those everlasting arms on which of his newfound oratorical skills by selling farm tools in a Elmer has helped her to become ever more successful. Sing it on the radio, drop it out of planes. to lean. nearby town. He is also having a surreptitious affair with One night, he confesses the depth of his love for her; she Frank (aside): He’s losing his bearings while counting Lulu (aside): They’re prancing around like the king and Lulu, despite her engagement to Eddie. He promises to responds by proclaiming the depth of her religious his gains. the queen. meet Lulu that night, but then decides to go to a tent revival calling. They reach a passionate understanding. Qt. 1: New wine has to go in new bottles, not in old. All: New wine / Their wine (etc.) held by the famous traveling evangelist, Sharon Falconer. Modern life affects the way the story’s told. All: Stand still, stand still and see salvation from the Lord. 3 Scene 2: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle Times must change, and that’s why Jesus said, We have to sing the gospel, shout the gospel, save the 4 Scene 4: Outside Sharon Falconer’s revival tent, construction site, Zenith, Missouri, 1913. “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” gospel, keep the gospel, Sautersville, Kansas, later that evening. Sharon’s grand tabernacle is being built under Elmer’s (Eddie, Lulu, Rev. Baines and Mrs Baines sing as hold and protect the gospel, dance the gospel, light the Elmer watches in awe as Sharon Falconer leads her tent supervision. Frank, now a minister in Zenith, pays a Quartet 2.) gospel, speed the gospel, meeting. Lulu arrives with Frank to warn Elmer that he visit. Eddie, Lulu, and Rev and Mrs. Baines tour the site Qt. 2: Here we are, sheep in the midst of wolves. pitch the gospel, print the gospel, send the gospel. is about to be expelled from seminary. Angry and and privately express their displeasure with Let’s be wise as serpents, harmless as doves. TRULY... defiant, he chases her away only to be treated with cool commercialized religion. The eight principal characters All: New wine has to go in new bottles, not in old. Frank (under): If there’s truth to being saved, I’m sure indifference by the departing Sharon. Elmer is left alone sing an octet in which they debate the merits of the old- (etc.) it’s a quiet working! to rail against the world. He suddenly feels himself in time religion versus the new. Baines and Eddie: Their wine is from the vine of Qt. 1: New wine has to go in new bottles (etc.)

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separates himself from the group and they go through There’s a twelve-minute limit at the mourner’s bench. 4 Scene 3: Same setting, later that night. 7 Scene 6: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, very their drills for him.) Women: Remember when she’s hollering in Japanese Frank expresses his doubts about God and yearns for a late that night. Women: Left, left; left, right, left. or French, “fresh, boundless” faith. TJ Rigg, financier of the tabernacle, checks last-minute We are soldiers fighting on the front line, There’s a twelve-minute limit at the mourner’s bench. details in the building. He is awestruck by its cross of We are sailors throwing out the lifeline, Elmer: With Jesus…! 5 Scene 4: A hotel room in Zenith, Missouri, a few electric lights. We are umpires spotting from the sideline, Women: With Jesus our Saviour we shall prevail, months later. If we come through, everything will go fine. By lending strong hands and spirits hale. Elmer has an assignation with Lulu. She sings him a 8 Scene 7: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, Elmer: O.K. Here we go... We are soldiers fighting on the front line, suggestive “bedtime story”, then lets Eddie in the door Opening Night, 1913. I’m reachin’ in my pocket when the plate comes around, If we come through, everything will go fine. to spy on them as she and Elmer make love. Sharon and Elmer enchant their throngs of followers. I got a sheepish look when I tell you what I found, (Sharon leaves to oversee other work. The women file Eddie and Lulu arrive to denounce Elmer as a I say, “Excuse me, Miss, I’m in kind of a stew. off in formation. All around, the work of building the 6 Scene 5: Sharon’s private sanctuary in the philanderer and a sinner. Chaos follows, and a fire I’ve only got a five, but I’ll sure give you two.” tabernacle continues.) Tabernacle, the same day. breaks out. Elmer tries to save Sharon, but she refuses What do you do? Recitative In her private sanctuary, Sharon prays to God for help his help. He escapes; she stays to comfort her flock with Women: We give you three dollars back. Frank: Welcome to Zenith. on the evening before the opening of her tabernacle. She a last mystical vision as all are immolated. Elmer: Wrong. Elmer: I heard you were here, Frankibus. Great to see also prays for advice about Elmer, who has asked her to Take the five bills and smile to the gills, and this is ya! marry him. 9 Epilogue: Another place, a few weeks later. what you say: Frank: My church is a few blocks from here. Can I Elmer embarks on a new career with the founder of the “In the marts of men all shady deals with ease you can stop by sometime? We’ll catch up on things. ‘New Thought’ movement . The ashes of the fire and the arrange, Elmer: Love to. Next week? haunting voices of the past surround him. But Heaven is not a banking house and the Holy Ghost Frank: Perfect. doesn’t make change.” Elmer (Looking around): So, what do you think? Not Robert Livingston Aldridge Women: Heaven is not a banking house and the Holy bad for a seminary dropout. Ghost doesn’t make change. Frank: Listen, Elmer. I’m glad you’re getting on, but I Robert Livingston Aldridge has written over sixty works for orchestra, opera, music- We are soldiers fighting on the front line, wonder about all this soldier-sailor-money stuff. theater, dance, string quartet, solo and chamber ensembles. His music has been We are sailors throwing out the lifeline, (T.J. Rigg enters. He is followed by two Elks in full performed throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. He has received We are umpires spotting from the sideline, regalia who between them carry a very large rectangle of numerous fellowships and awards for his music from the Guggenheim Foundation, If we come through, everything will go fine. cardboard. A reporter and a press photographer are part the American Academy of Arts and Letters, National Endowment for the Arts, the (Sharon has entered to oversee details of the of their entourage. T.J. is leading Sharon by the hand.) New York Foundation for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the preparations. She moves over to quiz the women.) T.J.: Looky who I found! (Spoken): C’mon boys! Massachusetts Artist’s Foundation, the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund, Meet the Sharon: All right, girls... Elmer: Here’s T.J.! Composer, The American Symphony Orchestra League, the New Jersey Council on Here’s a dear old thing in a homemade smock, (They perform the ritual Elks greeting.) the Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. His opera Elmer Gantry, based on And the Spirit’s going through her so her knees begin to Elmer, T.J.: Aah - WEEEEE - Oh. the novel by Sinclair Lewis, with a libretto by Herschel Garfein, was given its fully-staged world première by Nashville knock. T.J.: Elmer Gantry — speak of the devil. Opera in November, 2007. He was commissioned by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Los Angeles Chamber Pretty soon she’s shakin’ and she falls on her back, Quartet 2 (Aside): Speak of the devil! Orchestra to compose a clarinet concerto for David Singer, and his symphonic oratorio Parables (also written with librettist And she’s kickin’ up a storm ‘til her bones are like to Sharon: T.J. says he has some joyful news. Herschel Garfein) was first performed in May, 2010. Robert Livingston Aldridge has been Composer-in-Residence at the crack. T.J.: And how… Sixty thou! Brevard Music Festival since 2006. He has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony on five occasions since 1987. In 1989, What’s your tack? (The Elks turn the cardboard around to reveal a huge he was chosen to represent the New York Foundation for the Arts in a solo concert of his music at Lincoln Center. He was Women: We ask her kindly to refrain. check for $60,000 made out to “Falconer Ministries.” a founder of the Composers in Red Sneakers, a composer consortium which achieved international recognition in the Sharon: Wrong. T.J. poses with Sharon and Elmer as the photographer 1980s. His compositions are exclusively published by Edition Peters. He received a Doctorate in Composition from the Lead her down the aisle with a sympathetic smile, takes their picture.) Yale School of Music, a Masters in Composition from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelors in English Let her writhe and rage at the side of the stage, (The following groups of lines are sung simultaneously): Literature from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is a Professor of Music Composition and Theory at Montclair Just remember when she’s hollering in Japanese or French, Elmer: Thatsa lot of mazuma. State University. More information about the composer can be found at robertaldridge.com.

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Herschel Garfein Sharon: And be at rest? Sharon: I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to Elmer: That’s right. And be at rest. rush from me... Herschel Garfein is active as a composer, librettist and director. He is the composer and Sharon: No rest for me. There’s none for me, Elmer. Elmer: He’ll sanctify me that I may give my life to librettist of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, a new opera based on Tom Stoppard’s For I am given to the Lord. you... play. His other libretti include Parables for Robert Aldridge, and Alzheimer’s Stories and Devotion binds me by a silver cord. Sharon: My fondest hope, my fondest hope... Edison Invents, for Robert S. Cohen. Work as a composer includes the dance triptych And I — whether cursed or blessed — Elmer: Oh had I wings, oh had I wings... Mythologies, American Steel, Places to Live, a String Quartet, and the music/theater piece I can’t be hurried or pressed, Sharon: Is to serve Him... to serve Him... with a perfect Sueños. He has received awards and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, I am I! I’ll decide when the Lord wants you to come to me. heart the Massachusetts Artists Foundation, the Jerome Foundation, the National Institute for (In her fury, she has overturned a chair. She rights it Elmer: ... I would fly to you... as God requires... we Opera/Music Theater, and the MacDowell Colony. He teaches Music Composition and now, regaining her composure.) can both submit... lectures in Script Analysis at the Steinhardt School, New York University. I’m different. I’m not like your other women. Sharon: with a perfect heart... to serve Him... to serve My kiss could be simple homespun, Him Or a terribly passionate one; Elmer: with perfect hearts... each to the other... both to And God, in an act of grace, Him Will all sin from that kiss erase. Sharon: ... ever. Keith Phares He sanctifies me that I may give my life to Him. Elmer: ... both to Him. My fondest hope, Elmer, Elmer: And be at rest? (Pause. They kiss.) Noted by the press for his commanding stage presence, vocal authority, and warm baritone My fondest hope is to serve him ever. Sharon: That’s right. And be at rest. voice, Keith Phares is acclaimed both on the opera and concert stage as one of today’s most Elmer: With a perfect heart? Slow Fade versatile artists. He has appeared in leading rôles with the San Francisco Opera, the Sharon: That’s right. With a perfect heart. Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Elmer: As God requires... 3 Act II, Scene 2 Chicago, and Santa Fe Opera, and has performed in concert with the New York Sharon: Yes. A perfect heart. Six months later. The site of The Waters of Jordan Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Elmer: As God requires, we can both submit. Tabernacle, Zenith, Missouri. I to you, you to Him. (A revival worker (in uniform) is acting as a Tour (The following pairs of lines are sung simultaneously): Guide, leading a group of tourists through the Sharon: He sanctifies me that I may give my life to construction site. This group includes Rev. Baines and Him. Mrs. Baines, Eddie, and Lulu who will later sing as Photo: Nick Granito Elmer: Oh had I wings, Sharon. ‘Quartet 2.’ Meanwhile, a group of female revival Elmer: I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to workers is marching on and off-stage, practicing drills. Patricia Risley rush from me. Frank Shallard stands to one side, observing.) Sharon: My fondest hope, Elmer. Choral Scene Mezzo-soprano Patricia Risley’s operatic performances encompass leading rôles in works of Sharon: My fondest hope... is to serve Him... with a Women (Spoken, from off-stage): Left, left; left, right, Mozart, Rossini, Handel, Gounod, Monteverdi, Strauss, Haydn, and Purcell with companies perfect heart. left. (Repeat, fading out.) worldwide including those in New York City, Chicago, Madrid, Berlin, Houston, Santa Fe, Elmer: ... As God requires... Oh Sharon... we can both Tour Guide (Spoken): This way please. (Sung): And Innsbruck, Salt Lake City, Palm Beach, and Denver as well as performances in submit... I to you, God ordered Sister Sharon to take over the old Opera contemporary repertoire including world premières and recent works of Bolcom, Pasatieri, Sharon: ... with a perfect heart... to serve Him ever. House of Zenith and on this site – quickly, please – to Adès, Machover, Harbison, and Dove. Additionally, she has joined the New York Elmer: you to Him... with perfect hearts... each to the build a Grand Tabernacle. Directly behind us, up there, Philharmonic, Boston Baroque, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival, other, both to Him. will rise a magnificent cross of a thousand electric lights! and Oregon Symphony as a concert soloist. Sharon: He sanctifies me that I may give my life to (She hustles the group of tourists – including Quartet 2 Him... – off-stage as a group of female revival workers enters Elmer: I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to from off-stage, led by Elmer. They are dressed in Photo: Kristin Hoebermann rush from me... uniforms, and they enter marching in ranks. Elmer

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Sharon: Very good. Elmer: Those pillows... Vale Rideout Elmer: Skipping ‘He is Mine’, adding ‘Just in Time’ Sharon: They’re perfect. after ‘Hold the Line’ — did I mention ‘Sunrise’? Elmer: I could fluff ‘em. Vale Rideout has sung with Chicago Opera Theater, Nashville Opera, Pacific Opera Sharon: You did. Sharon: Not worth it. Victoria, Castleton Festival Opera, Central City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and (Pause. She makes an obvious move to the door. He Elmer: The heat! Boston Lyric Opera in rôles such as Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw, Edgardo in follows.) Sharon: ...is hot. Lucia di Lammermoor, and Alfredo in Die Fledermaus. He has performed Britten’s Elmer: Sharon...? Elmer: Too hot! War Requiem with the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic (both Sharon: Goodnight, Elmer. Sharon: No, it’s not. with Lorin Maazel), and the world première of Stucky’s August 4, 1964 with the Dallas Elmer: Goodnight. (Brief pause; not leaving.) Elmer: No, it’s chilly. Photo: Kevin Fox Symphony Orchestra. Sharon...? Do you like me? Sharon: No, it’s right. Sharon: Yes. Elmer: Don’t be silly... Elmer: How much? Sharon: Say goodnight. Frank Kelley Sharon: Not very much. I can’t like anyone very much. (She has him firmly by the arm, leading him to the door. Elmer: You could get to like me, though. He complies; but with his free arm he seizes a Bible The versatile American tenor Frank Kelley has performed in concert and opera throughout Sharon: It is possible. Good night. from the sideboard.) North America and Europe. He is a regular at Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Boston and Elmer: Sleep tight. I’ll go. (Pause.) Sharon...? Can I Elmer: Oh, Sharon, one last question; I know it’s late... Florentine Opera, and has sung at Opera Theatre of St. Louis (world-première of The Golden stay and chat? Sharon (Singsong): Goodnight. Ticket), Wexford Festival Opera, Opéra de Lyon, Monte Carlo Opera and with such Sharon: You could answer that. Now please. Your Elmer: But I’m puzzled by Matthew: twenty eight. orchestras as the Boston Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, National Symphony and National room is down the hall. (Pause.) ...I know; goodnight. Ars Centre Orchestra. He has recorded for Teldec, Harmonia Mundi and Erato. Elmer: I could tuck you in. Sharon: Goodnight, Elmer. Sharon: You’ve been very good. Try to keep it up. (He leaves. She shuts the door behind him and turns Elmer: Can’t I get you anything? toward her bedroom. Then he bursts back in through Sharon: Not at all! the door. She gives a scream of surprise.) (A moment’s pause of indecision. Then he makes to Recit. and Duet leave.) Elmer: No! I won’t go. Let me tell you the truth! Elmer: Well, alright then. Well, goodnight then. You’ve made me crazy for you. Do you hear every word? (Suddenly rapturous, he races to the window): Except for my mother, you’re the only woman I’ve ever Heather Buck And what a thrilling night it is! adored. The moon full and a fierce wind blowing! I love you! Hear me. Heather Buck’s international credits include leading rôles with Gran Teatre del Liceu A perfect night for romance... Oh Sharon! Sharon, you’ve changed me. (Barcelona) and London’s Almeida Theatre. Highlights include Queen of the Night in Die Sharon (Sweetly): Elmer, weren’t you going? Half-baked; that’s what I was. Zauberflöte (Santa Fe Opera; also English National Opera); Olympia in Les contes Elmer: Oh, of course. Sweet dreams, if you’re sure And just too stupid to know it. d’Hoffmann (De Vlaamse Opera); the title rôle in Wuorinen’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories there’s nothing more. Until you came to show me — how can I say it? — you (New York City Opera); Angel in Dusapin’s Faustus, the Last Night (Concertgebouw); Sharon: I am sure. Thanks for asking. (Pause.) ... The showed me my soul. Wolfgang Rihm’s monodrama Proserpina (Spoleto Festival USA); and Mahler’s Symphony door...? Yeah, my soul. My poor, dingy soul. No. 2 (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing). (She accompanies him to the door. At the last moment, My soul sound asleep ’til you woke it. he breaks away and begins a vigorous inspection of the In a silence undisturbed ’til you broke it. room.) Now you — so achingly pure — Photo: Christian Steiner Elmer: Gosh, your flowers... Chance to look in my eyes and I’m sure, Sharon: Thriving. I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to rush from me. Elmer: Where’s your wardrobe? Oh had I wings, Sharon. Sharon: Arriving. Oh had I wings I would fly to you.

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Florentine Opera Chorus You surely test your servants, Lord. Ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. You do test your servants. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. The Florentine Opera Chorus was founded by John D. Anello in 1933 in the heart of (Trying to put thoughts of Elmer behind him, he You surely test your servants, Lord. Milwaukee’s vibrant Third Ward immigrant community. Scott S. Stewart has acted as the resumes his sermon): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Chorus-master and Associate Conductor of the Florentine Opera Company since 1977. With What is Love? Blackout a wide and varied repertoire, more than fifty artists comprise the Florentine Opera Chorus It is the Morning and the Evening star, End of Act I each season, performing in all mainstage productions, as well as education and community It shines upon the cradle of the swindler bully! babe, outreach programs around the community. And casts its radiance upon the quiet vermin lickspittle CD 2 rutting lecherous ape! It is the air and the bastard! light of every heart; 2 Act II, Scene 1 Dear Lord, may it be Thy will to crush Elmer Gantry Sharon’s suite of rooms, The Antlers Hotel, Lincoln, Scott Stewart utterly! Nebraska. Summer, 1912. Photo: Lindsey Denil Turn him to dung! (The living room has one door, u.s., connecting to Let dogs eat him in the street for the sake of Thy great Sharon’s bedroom and another, s.l., leading into the name. hotel hallway. The room is elegantly furnished — Florentine Opera Company (laughing): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. obviously the best which the town has to offer — and You do test your servants. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. You filled with a profusion of flowers standing in vases. It is The Florentine Opera Company’s productions reflect the highest musical and theatrical standards, while supporting surely test your servants, Lord. late evening; the room is empty. Elmer knocks on the community and educational programs. As a leader in Wisconsin’s art community, a nationally respected regional Ha ha ha ha ha. door, opens it a crack, peers around, then enters force, and the nation’s sixth oldest opera company, the Florentine Opera Company has established itself during its Gantry... Love .... Love... Gantry; bearing a huge tray with a silver cover. A sheaf of 78-season history, as a significant presence in the cultural, educational and civic life of the state of Wisconsin and They should never share a sentence. papers is tucked under his arm.) beyond. Audiences enjoy beautiful mainstage productions that include first-rate vocal artistry brought to life by Love is what I offered. Duet established and emerging local, national and international opera stars. With a foundation of fiscal responsibility, the Love he repaid with villainy. Elmer: Knock, knock. Here I am with the goods. All company continues to grow its artistic and educational programs, with a focus on presenting new works, most I’ll show him grimmer stuff. the figures from tonight and the week to date. recently including the Midwest première of Elmer Gantry and the world première of Don Davis’s opera Río de Love can’t endure all things; Sharon (From the other room) Elmer, I’m blind tired. Sangre. Through its outreach and in-school educational programming, the Florentine provides vital arts education Rage is now my portion. Can’t it wait? Can’t it wait? experiences for children, nurtures new audiences, and expands cultural horizons for the next generation. Over Eddie... Rage .... Rage... Eddie. Elmer: Grand Tabernacle offerings — take a guess. 18,000 people in Southeastern Wisconsin are served every year through the Florentine’s education and community (He launches into his sermon again with gleeful malice): Two-oh-nine. And freewill, fiftyeight. enrichment programs. Additional information, tickets and more can be found at www.florentineopera.org. What is Rage? Just relax, put your feet up. What is Rage? Sharon: Elmer, really... (As she enters, tying on a What, my brethren, is Rage? dressing gown.) It is the waking and the dreaming thought, Elmer: I predict eight-fifty clear. It shines upon the happy home of Eddie and his wife, Sharon: That’s wonderful. I must say goodnight. And casts its radiance on every mention of that otiose Elmer: Ta-dah… sandwiches! (Flourishing the tray cover.) backstabbing pustulent toad! Sharon: Aren’t you a dear? It is the blood and bloody sinew of my heart. (Pause. She eats a sandwich hungrily. He sits, Dear Lord, may it be Thy will to crush Elmer Gantry preparing for a business meeting.) utterly! Elmer: Oh! The hymns for tomorrow. Let’s see... (He Burn his tent! Kill his whore! consults his notes.) Let the stink of his corpse rise at Your trumpet blast! Sharon: Let’s not. (laughing): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Oh dear me, ha ha, what Elmer: First ‘Follow On’, then ‘Sunrise’, then ‘Verily’ am I saying? sung by the kid...

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Elmer, Elks: Bu - LAAAACK Iiink! [“Black ink”] T.J.: With a better tax base! Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Elmer: Four souls to the dollar, lent to the Lord as Elks: — than the Zip Zip Zip City. collateral on the well-balanced Christian go-ahead Blackout future of our city... Elmer, Elks: Zip zip Zenith. 6 Act I, Scene 6 Elmer: What Bolsheviki cheapskate won’t lend to the Six months later. The study in the home of Rev. Edward Lord at that rate of return? and Mrs. Lulu Fislinger. For lending is Charity, Charity Love, and... (It is late afternoon. Eddie should be preparing his What is Love? week’s sermon. Instead, he is browsing through the It is the builder of every home. newspaper, drinking tea. Lulu calls to him from a Elks: Hummina. distant room.) Photo: Todd Daquisto Elmer: It is the paver of every highway. Lulu: Sweetheart? (Pause) Eddie? What are you doing? Elks: Hummina hummina. Eddie (Not loud enough for her to possibly hear him): In 52 years, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has forged its own path, gaining respect artistically and serving its Elmer: The improver of every vacant lot. Working on my sermon. community. In addition to performing with the MSO and accompanying the Florentine Opera Company, our Elks: Hummina hummina hummina. Lulu (Closer): Eddie? (A moment later, there is a light musicians provide a strong professional core within Milwaukee’s arts community. The MSO has been a pioneer in Elmer: Can we vote again? knock and she enters.) Sweetheart...? new music, digital media, and arts education. Under the leadership of Music Director Edo de Waart, the MSO T.J. (Rising): All opposed nay. Eddie (Not acknowledging her): Working on my sermon. continues to thrive as a cornerstone organization among Wisconsin’s cultural assets. A few Elks: Nay. Lulu: Oh, my precious man. (She hugs him, evoking T.J.: All in favor, yea. little response.) I’m going out for a while. (Pause, then William Boggs Elks: Yea! as a goodbye): Sweetheart. T.J. (Gavelling): Motion passes. Thank you to our (When she has left he begins absent-mindedly to William Boggs, Artistic Director of Opera Columbus, has led some of his company’s guests. (To the Elks): O.K., you wombats! Let’s get formulate his sermon while still perusing the paper.) greatest successes. As the former General Director of Columbus Light Opera, where he together on the Zenith Booster Song. received tenure, he produced over 200 performances of the works of Strauss, Lehár, Choral Song Aria Offenbach, Gilbert and Sullivan, Friml, Romberg, and Herbert. He also served as Music T.J., Elks: Here is the song we love the best: Eddie: What is Love? It is the ... Director of the Welsh Hills Symphony Orchestra, the third conductor in its 60-year Pointing with pride to our S-U-C-C-E-S-S, What is Love? history. As an orchestral guest conductor he has appeared with the Columbus Pointing with pride to the way we get things done, What, my brethren, is Love? Symphony, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Ignoring the cries of the “R-U kidding?” pessimists, It is the Eveni... the Morning and the Evening star, Louisville Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Mexico. We are the guys who never walk when they can run. It shines upon the cradle of the babe, Oh we zoom zoom for Zenith, our zip zip city. And casts its radiance upon the quiet tomb. Make room for Zenith, with zeal, zap and zowie! (He becomes distracted by the newspaper) Zinovievsk and Zanzibar and Zurich may be twee, It is the air and ... and the light of... every heart... But you’ll never find a zingier place than the zip zip city. (reading): “A grand outpouring of the spirit is expected Zoom zoom zip zip (etc.) again in Paris County when Sister Sharon Falconer (They continue to sing. Sharon, preparing to leave, goes returns for an uplifting week of Christian revival. Assisted up to Elmer. The Reverend Baines looks on coldly.) by the Reverend Mr. Elmer Gantry, Sister Sharon has Baines: The Gantrys of the world sustain the Falconers. announced that all offerings to her mission will go That is a boost that no one needs. (Repeat) towards construction of a grand tabernacle in Zenith, Elks: You could zig-zag your zeppelin across the Missouri for the glory of God...” (He flings the paper Zuiderzee, down.) ‘Grand’ tabernacle... the ‘Reverend’ Mr. Gantry... But you’ll never find a zingier place — (laughing): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. A cleaner place, a friendlier place, a pleasanter place — You do test your servants. Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

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A Timeline of American Revivalism riders” (traveling frontier preachers), the Methodist Church Saying: “Never the same. Never the same again, Elmer What sensual pageants they serve the unwitting! grows from 15,000 to 850,000 souls. The Methodist ministers Gantry, What feverish rites they encourage as fitting! • 1734 stress dramatic, personal conversion. Rev. Peter Cartwright Never the same again.” These sideshow figures and carnival kinds A religious fervor begins to sweep the town of Northampton, tells of being struck down by a flash of divine light; when Blackout Must blithely imagine we’re out of our minds. Massachusetts. Sinners are converted by the hundreds under “convicted,” Rev. James B. Finley spends a week in a hollow To line their own pockets, they ask for our trust; the ministry of Rev. Jonathan Edwards. He details the log, weeping and reading the Bible. 5 Act I, Scene 5 I submit that this woman of hucksters is just — occurrences in A Faithful Narrative of the Surprizing Works of • 1856-1861 The Elks Lodge meeting room, Zenith, Missouri. 1911. — a more graceful exemplum. God (1737), one of the seminal works of the Great Awakening. Boston shoe salesman Dwight L. Moody moves to Chicago to (As the curtain rises, Sharon Falconer is standing at an I ask that you soundly reject her proposal. • 1743 make his fortune. He spends his free time as a YMCA upstage podium concluding a fiery address to the (The Elks applaud warmly as Baines takes his seat and In response to Edwards and his disciples, the annual organizer, until his fame as a preacher allows him to give up members of the Lodge, who sit ringing the stage facing T.J. returns to the podium.) convention of Massachusetts Congregational ministers issues a business. He unites with singer/composer Ira Sankey (who her. They wear business suits and headgear topped with Recitative condemnation of practices which lead to “disorderly tumults.” coined the term “gospel music”). They are the first great urban antlers, as befits their order. The Elks Lodge is a T.J.: A corking good speech, chock-full of vocabulary • 1750 revivalists. They use publicity, advertising and organizational masculine shrine, all dark woods, brass and leather. Rev. and pep, by a very Regular Guy. Edwards, attempting to instate open confession (one of the planning to conduct successful revivals throughout the U.S. Baines sits in a chair near the podium.) Nit? hallmarks of the Great Awakening), is fired from his church in and England (where in one tour they are heard by 1.5 million Recitative and Arietta Elks: Hummina hummina. Northampton. He turns to theological writing. people). Sharon: And God said, “Build me a tabernacle!” T.J. (Gavelling): Let us vote. (As fast as possible): In • 1780-1800 • 1889 (As she returns to her empty seat near Baines, the Elks the matter of whether the benevolent order shall support These years see the publication of several central works of Mariah Woodworth-Etter, first of the famous woman applaud without enthusiasm. Baines does not applaud and further the plans of Miss Sharon Falconer to American deism, a humanistic philosophy espousing faith revivalists, arrives to preach in Oakland, CA. At the height of at all. T.J. Rigg, the head Elk, rises, goes to the build a grand tabernacle in ZENITH one year from based on reason: Ethan Allen’s Reason the Only Oracle of her popularity, she speaks to racially mixed crowds of 2,500. podium, recites the ritual invocation.) now. And whether the order shall advance MONIES Man, Thomas Paine’s The Rights of Man. Deism is condemned Her husband cranks an ice-cream freezer at the refreshment T.J.: Alces, alces, Benny Voley. and organize civic events to promote said tabernacle. by the clergy, embraced by the intelligentsia, including stand, 50 feet from the pulpit. Elks: Aaah - WEEEEE - Oh. (Pause) All opposed say nay. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. • 1890 T.J.: Accepti this orati meo. Elks: Nay. • 1782 Etter holds weekly street parades to trumpet her prediction of Elks: Say now what you mean to say-o. T.J.: All in favor, yea. (There is silence, but before T.J. A survey at Princeton University, a bastion of the Presbyterian an earthquake and tidal wave to strike the city on April 14. The T.J.: A big red-blooded thank you to Sister Falconer can gavel, Elmer, who has been sitting ministry, finds only two professed Christians in the student date passes uneventfully. Etter flees Oakland the next day. Her for her interesting proposal. And now with a different with his back to the audience in a row of Elks, rises.) body. chief civic supporters are sent to an insane asylum. view we’ll hear from the Reverend Arthur Baines, Elmer: Will the brothers recognize me? • 1798 • 1891 president of our dandy Terwillinger College and Elks: Hummina hummina. The Presbyterian minister James MacGready of North Carolina Chicago outfielder Billy Sunday gives up baseball to begin Seminary in nearby Cato ... T.J. (As Elmer moves to the podium): Brother Gantry, moves to Kentucky to begin a frontier mission. Over the next spreading the word of God. Twenty years later “the baseball T.J., Elks: Mis - sou - RAA - ah. [“Missouri”] junior vice-president of the Pequot Farm Company. two years at his Red River church, the Great (or Western) preacher,” famous for “sliding in” to the altar, will be T.J.: Yes, and a real go-ahead He-man of the cloth he Elmer: Alces, alces, Benny Voley. Revival begins. preaching in New York in a tabernacle of 16,000 seats, with is. Welcome, booster Baines. Elks: Aaah - WEEEEE - Oh. • 1801 the Astors and Rockefellers in attendance. Elks: Hummina hummina hummina. Elmer: Accepti this orati meo. On August 6th, the first camp meeting (precursor of the tent • 1901, 1906 (Baines rises to the podium. He has aged since we last Elks: Say now what you mean to say-o. meeting) takes place, at Cane Ridge, KY. It lasts three days; During revivals in Topeka, Kansas, and Los Angeles, saw him, and his manner has become even fustier – if Elmer (Chiding): Gentlemen, gentlemen. Miss F. has 20,000 are said to attend. Some witnesses record that liquor California, congregants speak in tongues. The modern that is possible.) told us the kind of joyful business story we should love was in abundant use and many virgins were undone. Pentecostal movement begins. Baines: Mmm. Thank you. With all due respect to our to hear. (He takes some documents from her.) Look • 1809 • 1926 last charming speaker: here. She shows “contributed income from civic The Presbyterian Church disciplines MacGready and distances Evangelist Aimee Semple MacPherson “disappears,” the How well we know these revivalist clowns sources – 2,620 dollars.” Look a little further. “Fully itself from revivalism. purported victim of kidnappers. When she reappears in Los Whose gaudy tents disfigure our towns! validated permanent conversions – 9,415.” My friends • 1785-1840 Angeles, 100,000 people line the streets to greet her rose- They gull the guileless, they fleece our flocks, now that’s 25 cents per errant sinner. Sounds to me like Through its embrace of revivalism, and the labors of its “circuit draped car. They dun the dumbest, and the Devil mocks. something we love...

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Frank, Lulu: Mend what is torn; Jesus Himself did choose this lot, • 1927 • 1988 Elmer: I’m not made for a boring life. A suffering servant He. SINCLAIR LEWIS PUBLISHES ELMER GANTRY. In the Iowa Presidential caucus, televangelist Pat Robertson Frank, Lulu: Return to us. Elmer (simultaneously): • 1947 finishes second. Elmer: I’ve got plans. I’m movin’ on. Recit., Aria After years of declining popularity in the 30s and 40s, • 1989 Chorus (off-stage): Made Himself humble for the world. Of course, I mean nothing to her. revivalism is launched again by Pentecostal preachers Oral Jim Bakker, head of PTL (Praise the Lord) Ministries, is Sharon (off-stage): Remember that as I leave you “Catch a train.” Roberts, A.A. Allen and Jack Coe. convicted of defrauding his followers of $158 million - the tonight. Some jerk in a town she’s leaving. • 1950-1960 largest case of mail fraud in U.S. history. He is sentenced to 45 (Sharon appears at the tent entrance, wearing an “Never lied.” A.A. Allen holds interracial revivals in Little Rock and Atlanta, years in prison. overcoat and accompanied by several revival workers. Kicked out of school... hotbeds of segregationism. He publicly pledges to uphold • 1991 She stops to observe the scene between Elmer, Lulu, Now what? integration in his services. Jimmy Swaggart is stopped for traffic violations in California. and Frank.) My foot! • 1956 A prostitute is with him in the car. He later announces he will Frank, Lulu: Return. (They exit.) (This last line he has shouted after her. The crowd has Evangelist Jack Coe is arrested for practicing medicine without step down from the directorship of his worldwide ministries. Elmer: I’ve got plans. I’m movin’ on. left. The lights of the tent are turned off. Elmer will be a license. During a service, he had urged a woman to remove • 2001 Oh, Sister Falconer... alone in the moonlight.) the leg braces from her polio-stricken son, thus causing the boy On Pat Robertson’s “700 Club” telecast two days after the Accept this praise from a fellow minister: I’ll show you. irreparable physical damage. Coe is acquitted, but dies ten September 11 attacks, Rev. Jerry Falwell says God may have You sing beautifully. “Where’s your church?” months later. allowed the attacks because of the country’s moral decay. You preach flawlessly. I’ll see you again. • 1968 Addressing the ACLU, abortionists, feminists and gays, he says, I wondered, might you have a job for me? I’ll catch up with you, Sister-so-pure! Oral Roberts stuns evangelicals by accepting the stewardship “You helped this happen.” He apologizes a few days later. Sharon: Tell me, Brother… Damn you! Damn You! of an Oklahoma Methodist church. He begins massive • 2004 Elmer: Reverend Gantry! Elmer Gantry. You’re not the only one with holy thoughts! campaigns to build a university and medical center in Tulsa. A film, “George W. Bush: Faith in the White House,” which Sharon: Tell me, Brother, where’s your Church? I’ve had them! Over the next twenty years he will repeatedly claim that God is recounts the Blessitt conversion experience, is released on Elmer: My church? My church is with you, Sister. I There’s still something pure in me. going to “call him back” if he doesn’t meet fundraising goals. DVD and shown at off-the-floor events at the Republican know my Bible; I can preach up a storm. I’ll show you one day! • 1975 National Convention. Eventually, Bush carries 78% of the For instance: “What is Love...?” She wouldn’t look, barely looked at me. In the aftermath of two deaths at a Holiness church in Newport, white evangelical vote (up from 68% in 2000). Sharon (interrupting): Brother, have you behaved in a Why, what is it? — my clothes? Tennessee, the ACLU represents the church in an unsuccessful • 2006 loving way to your girlfriend? Is my suit-coat too cheap? Are the elbows worn down? challenge to the state’s law prohibiting snake-handling. Ted Haggard (‘Pastor Ted’), leader of the National Association Elmer: Girlfriend? She’s not my... Anybody got any objection to my clothes? • 1984 of Evangelicals, is alleged by male prostitute Mike Jones to Sharon: Brother, I caution you against lying. (He rips off his jacket and throws it to the ground) In a private prayer meeting, Evangelist Arthur Blessitt, famous have paid him for sex and bought methamphetamine over the Elmer: Now Sister Falconer, I have never... Is this “splendid”? Is this “splendid”, damn you? Is this for having carried a 12-foot cross around the world, helps course of a 3-year relationship. Haggard receives three weeks Sharon: Never lied? That’s splendid. You have my “splendid”? future President George W. Bush to accept Jesus. Blessitt’s of pastoral counseling and emerges ‘completely heterosexual.’ blessing, Brother. (Overcome by a revelation, he is suddenly quiet.) diary entry for April 4 says, “Led Vice President Bush’s son to However, the public uproar continues and Haggard resigns. (To all): Goodbye, friends. Oh dear God. Jesus today. This is great! Glory to God.” (To him): Please excuse me; I must catch a train. (She She is the sign to me. • 1988 By Herschel Garfein. Sources: Bernard A. Weisberger, They leaves with her assistants.) She the signal-lamp and the path shining for me. Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, rumored to be visiting prostitutes, Gathered at the River (Little, Brown, 1958); (The crowd leaves, streaming out from all exits of the In that woman’s face, You turned Your face to me. tearfully confesses to unspecified sins on national TV. The Patsy Sims, Can Somebody Shout Amen? (St. Martin’s, 1988); tent and singing the last verse of the hymn. The And her scorn for me was not hers alone. Assemblies of God order him not to preach for one year. The New York Times; MSNBC; The Pew Resource Center. vendors begin to pack up their wares. A few workers It was Yours — Your attack, Your grab at my soul. remain to close the tent, shut down the generator, etc. She was Your knife that opened me down to the bone. Oblivious to the scene around him, Elmer fumes over Now pour Your words in at the gaping hole. his treatment by Sharon.) There! Yes! There! There! Chorus (exiting): Vessels abounding, trust complete, God sings, He howls words in my brain. Faith such that all may see; They blaze, flaming tongues in the nighttime air,

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He whispers to the straying soul at last, “Come now to Out of his mouth a two-edge sword. Elmer Gantry me.” A sword, a sword, a two-edge sword; An Opera in Two Acts And if you heed Him, Show us the last things and take us out the way we Music by Robert Livingston Aldridge Trust and cleave to Him, come in! Libretto by Herschel Garfein And call Him, “Jesus LORD!” A glittering sword. Then will He open His hand. Under the sound of my voice. Published by C.F. Peters Corporation © 2005. In faith He’ll lead you on. A stone Based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis. His blood was ransom for Man. — the last things; Copyright © 1927 by Sinclair Lewis. Renewed 1955 by Michael Lewis. Listen for Jesus. Listen for His call. Precious stone... (The altar call has concluded with several dozen people A rainbow CHARACTERS kneeling at the mourners’ benches. There is silence. — the last things; ELMER GANTRY A college football-player, later a businessman and preacher Sharon begins to sing with a mystical quiet, as if Bright rainbow... SHARON FALCONER A traveling evangelist preacher coming out of a trance. The crowd will greet her first A two-edge sword FRANK SHALLARD A college student and Elmer’s best friend, later a minister utterances with responses of “Hallelujah”, “Praise —the last things; EDDIE FISLINGER Head of the Campus YMCA, later a minister God”, etc. A two-edge sword... Then, all will rise up and join her in song.) Sharon and All: Take us out the way we come in! LULU BAINES Daughter of the college president, later married to Eddie Sharon: Jesus could be coming tonight. When the trumpet sounded for the seventh time, REV. ARTHUR BAINES President of Terwillinger College and Seminary He could split those eastern skies tonight; The Lamb stood on Mt. Zion MRS. BAINES Wife of Rev. Baines, mother of Lulu Darken the stars, cover Heaven. and with Him a hundred forty four thousand T.J. RIGG A wealthy industrialist in Zenith, and head of the Elks’ Club Ezekiel, Oh I heard Ezekiel, this very day, having their Father’s name written in their foreheads. REVIVAL SINGER Employed by Sharon Falconer Said Jesus will darken the stars, said He’ll cover Heaven. All, Sharon: Dr. Evans Binch, Keely Family Gospel Singers, Revival Worker, Ice Cream Vendor, Tour Guide, Turn water to wormwood. THE REDEEMED OF EARTH. Lord, oh redeem us now Bully, Worker 1 and 2, Child, Woman 1 and 2, Man, Men in the bar, Seminary Faculty, Men of the Said He could lift us up on a mighty wind, THE REDEEMED OF EARTH. From a captive world Elks’ Club, Women Ushers, Large SATB Chorus Show us the last things and take us out the way we THE REDEEMED OF EARTH. The redeemed by come in. Jesus Christ. SETTINGS Chorus, Sharon: (Repeat) The action takes place in locations throughout the Midwest, during the years 1905-1913. A stone, a stone, a pure white stone; (Lulu is heard calling from off-stage) ELMER GANTRY was premièred by Nashville Opera, Nashville, Tennessee, November 16th, 2007. And in that stone a new name written. Lulu: Elmer... Peak Performances, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, January 23rd, 2008. A new name for the world. Elmer: Aw, Hell! not her... A stone, a stone, a pure white stone; (He races out, angrily. Lulu has entered with Frank in Show us the last things and take us out the way we tow.) CD 1 on a barstool. The other men on barstools have swiveled come in! Quartet around to watch Elmer. Patrons at tables are turned A rainbow, a rainbow, a rainbow round His throne; Lulu: Trouble is brewing. 1 Act I, Scene 1 across the backs of their chairs, or looking around each A rainbow round His throne. Frank: All our dreams have failed. The Old Home Sample Room, Cato, Missouri, 1905. other to see his performance. One man on a barstool (the Circled ’round the throne of the Lamb. Lulu: Trouble is brewing. (A workingman’s saloon on a winter’s night. The place is Bully) seems more interested in the reaction of the A rainbow, a rainbow, a rainbow ‘round His throne; Frank: And your schemes have failed. packed, smoky, loud. As the curtain rises, we see Elmer crowd than in Elmer himself. The Barkeep is listening to Show us the last things and take us out the way we Elmer: What now? Gantry standing in the center of the room, drunk, Elmer while keeping an eye on the customers. Suspended come in! Lulu: My love, it won’t defeat us. expansive, and halfway through a story that has the above him is a small ship’s bell with a rope hung from its My Lord’s throne. Frank: My friend, we must confess. attention of all. He is wearing a college letter sweater clapper. He rings it whenever a drink is ordered — a Oh redeem us now from a captive world. Elmer: She blabbed. She must have blabbed. with a large “T” on the front. Frank Shallard is sitting signature of the establishment.) A sword, a sword, a two-edge sword; Frank, Lulu: Reveal the truth; Cuttin’ sin both left and right. Elmer: I don’t care anymore.

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Faith such that all may see; Sweet rain caresses the land, Choral Scene Frank, Three men in the crowd, Elmer: Jesus Himself did choose this lot, And pure is the joy that cradles the heart Elmer: So she…(signals crowd to repeat after him.) Result? (signals to crowd) A suffering servant He. Touched by Thee, touched by Thee. Crowd: She… Result? Result? Result? (The following lines are sung simultaneously with the No wonder the angels sing to each other. Elmer: She’s half-naked and I’m trying to calm her TOUCHDOWN! hymn, and overlapping each other) (Some congregants are kneeling, heads bowed. Sharon down. Crowd: TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN! Vendor: O.K. Ice cream. I got ice cream. O.K. I got ice slowly advances down this line of penitents, Crowd: Calm her down, gotta calm her down. Elmer, Crowd: cream. O.K. O.K. Ice cream. bestowing a silent or a whispered blessing.) Elmer: See now fellas, I am one patient man. Right, Ol’ Elmer knows what to say. And lemonade — just made, too. O.K. The crowd: Amen. Frank? Ol’ Elmer gets what he wants. Revival Worker: Come on to the big revival. Come (Elmer goes down on his knees directly in Sharon’s (He looks around for him.) Frank? Ol’ Elmer knows when it’s rough on. Come and hear the straight gospel from Sister path and ostentatiously resumes the hymn. The chorus Frank (Drunk) Right, Hell-cat. you get tough Sharon. Come and hear and be changed forever. One joins him.) Elmer: WELL, where was I? Did I mention, her fat old and you never can be tough enough. night. One night only. First, last and only night. Elmer and crowd: Joyfully singing, take up your burden, landlord keeps …what to say. Child near the tent: Where is she, Daddy? I can’t see. Firm in your faith confessed; pounding on the door? …what he wants (A revival singer comes out of the tent.) Every service for Jesus Christ So it’s time to act, when it’s rough Revival Singer (To the crowd): Oh let me tell you what By Jesus Christ is blessed. Amen. it’s time to act and I say: you get tough He did for me... Sharon: Amen. (She navigates around Elmer.) Juanita, my sweetheart, I love you, Juanita (The bully hops off his barstool. His voice rides over Revival Worker (To the crowd): Listen to the man. Elmer: Amen, Sister, amen. I think that was her name. the crowd until he gets everyone’s attention.) (He goes in.) Aria (The Bully points to the barkeep, ordering Elmer a Bully: It’s strange!… Strange, ain’t it guys? This big Revival Singer (Singing out above the crowd): A moment ago, a thought passed through me. drink. The glass is handed through the crowd to him. talker plays football for a sissy Bible school. “Vessels of mercy He prepared, and He filled them What was it? Never the same again... Elmer toasts the Bully.) Crowd: Oooh. with His own blood, His own dear blood. Now let us I stood on this spot, same as now... Your health, my friend. (Everyone senses an impending confrontation. The serve Him, never emerging from that redeeming flood. But different. (The Bully gives him a salute.) crowd rings Elmer and the Bully. Elmer affects a jovial And we’ll serve Him in gladness...” (etc.) Was it her? Elmer, Crowd: demeanor, and will maintain it until the last moment.) Crowd near the tent: She’s coming over! Here she She was here; she left; I heard what she said; I say, “Sweetheart” (signals crowd to follow him) Elmer: Now fellas, I am one patient man. Right, Frank? comes. Is that her, daddy? Lord have mercy. Oh, Lord , What about it? “I’m a football player.” (signals.) Frank: Hell-cat… yes. Oh, mercy. Yes, Sharon. Yes, Sharon. Is that her? I’ve said the same stuff myself. “Big ol’ football player” (Elmer puts his arm around the Bully.) (From within the tent, Sharon Falconer’s voice is Was it me? (All except the Bully): Elmer: I love to have a good time, coupla laughs… but heard, coming out over the hymn. The hubbub outside Did I imagine the thing that I heard? Sweetheart! boy! I just don’t like … makin’ fun… continues, but Elmer starts to listen.) Oh, let me hear it once more. What was it? I’m a football player! of JESUS! (And on the last word, he punches the Bully.) Aria Never the same again... Big ol’ football player! (There is an all-out brawl. The bully is on the floor; Sharon (beginning o.s., growing louder as she (As a hymn is sung for the altar call, people stand and Elmer, Crowd: Elmer is kicking him savagely. The crowd shouts approaches the tent opening): approach the mourner’s benches — singly and in I read your signals encouragement to the combatants, the bartender rings Oh…It’s joy, isn’t it? A joy so pure... A joy so pure... groups — to kneel and pray. Some, emotionally When you called the play, his bell furiously, a few other men start shoving each Can you feel it? Friends outside the tent... Can you feel a overcome, are helped up to the mourner’s benches by Our huddle was great and the snap was made other aggressively, as the lights quickly fade. Fade up little of that joy now? That’s the Lord... That’s the Lord... Sister Sharon, who may whisper a few words of I’m runnin’ for the end zone…(signals.) on): (She is now visible at the tent opening. Her right hand is encouragement or bestow a blessing on them. Elmer The ball is in the air…(signals.) raised, palm forward, her hair is streaming and her face hangs back along the edge of the tent, transfixed.) Now who’s gonna stop me 2 Act I, Scene 2 is flushed, perspiring. She wears a straight white robe Hymn Halfway there? The President’s office, Terwillinger Baptist College, tied with a ruby-colored cinch; its wide, slashed sleeves Gospel Quartet: Softly, through the darkest night of Runnin’ for the end zone. Cato, Missouri. fall away from her bare arms. The congregants sense fear, Jesus is calling; The ball is in the air. The next day. that she is about to address them. They stop the hymn.) Bringing comfort to the far and near, calling to thee. (The Crowd cheers and applauds Elmer, and he takes a (President Baines and other faculty members are The sun embraces the stony earth, Ever strength’ning, ever holding fast, ever abiding casual sip, as if the story were over.) seated in armchairs and side-chairs which have been

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pulled from their customary places and haphazardly (Elmer enters, followed by Frank, who hangs back Elmer: What? intention is that the tent seem very large, and that part arranged, as if in expectation of a meeting. Most of unobtrusively.) Frank: Aron kodesh. The holy ark. Oomi yicoom of its interior remain invisible. As the scene begins, the those in attendance are old men. Eddie Fislinger, an Professor Eversley... the Reverend Mr. Hudkins... Dr. b’mcom kadisho. sound of a choral hymn comes from within the tent. It earnest young man who heads the college YMCA, Ingle.... And of course, we know you as our victorious Elmer (Pensive): Uh oh; problem, Frank. Problem. You will continue under the action of the scene. Those who stands to the side. As the lights come up, all vigorously quarterback, the shining star of the Terwillinger going to hear that revival woman tonight — Sharon have not been able to find seats inside stand just outside strike up a hymn. During the singing, Lulu Baines Terriers. Haven’t we seven victories this year? Falconer? the tent-flap, craning their necks to see, and singing enters from a rear door, quietly serves coffee from a Elmer: Nine, sir. We’re nine and two so far this year. (From now until the end of the scene, workers enter to along. Occasionally someone pushes through them, tray, exits.) The Faculty: Nine and two, nine and two. set up Sharon’s tent on other parts of the stage. Some of entering or leaving. Outside the tent, a carnival Hymn Best in the conference, nine and two. the elements left behind by Elmer and Frank will be atmosphere prevails. It is a grander, more chaotic Baines, Eddie, Faculty: Baines (Noticing Frank): And this is Mr. ...? incorporated into the scene to come.) version of the “meeting” held by Elmer and Frank. A Who’s the man among us has not battled for the Lord? Elmer: My friend, Frank Shallard. Frank: Nope. I find that revival stuff a little moist. revival worker stands near a large banner which reads Could there be a coward in our ranks? Baines (Ignoring Frank, who has proffered his hand): You? ‘Old Time Revival Tonight’, and a sign saying ‘Sister Bring the doubter forward, he must surely bend his knee, Yes, yes, Mr. Shallard. Elmer: That’s the problem. Say it again... Sharon Falconer Speaks – All are welcome’. People As to our Saviour we give thanks: Elmer: Senior class valedictorian. Frank: Oomi yicoom b’mcom kadisho. mill around in groups, talking or singing along; Praise God in the highest, Baines: Fine, fine. (He ignores Frank.) Elmer: I thought I’d go. Get some preachin’ ideas. So children play; a vendor hawks refreshments. After a few Praise and magnify the Lord. Elmer: Whatever I’ve done, Frank can vouch for me. here’s what: you meet Lulu, back of the chapel, eight moments, Elmer enters the scene.) Praise God, and remember, Baines: Please sit down. (Putting his arm around o’clock, stall her a couple of minutes. Be nice to her; Hymn We are fighting with a Bible and a sword. Elmer’s shoulder, he leads him to a chair. talk me up; I won’t be long. Chorus: Vessels of service, great and small, When the war clouds gather in a dark and sullen sky, Frank, awkwardly fending for himself, also finds an Frank: No! She’s your problem. Vessels we wish to be, And a salvo from the cannon’s mouth has roared, empty chair. Gravely): Young man, we have followed Elmer: Our problem, Frank. If she talks, she’s our Filled with our Saviour’s brimming Love, From the trenches, from the redoubts, there goes up a the course of your football career with great pleasure. problem. Serving Him tirelessly. joyful cry, Isn’t that so, gentlemen? (Pause) Be like a vessel, rounded and true, “We are those who battle for the Lord!” The Faculty: ‘Gantry scrambles through the brambles.’ Frank: Elmer, I take it back about the jerk. You are Made by your Saviour’s hand, Praise God in the highest, ‘Third and nine — he’ll trounce the line.’ evil. Filled with devotion, ready now Praise and magnify the Lord. ‘Pitch out, pop out, down and in, Terwillinger is gonna Elmer: Settled. Now, here we go: “Oomimyicom To serve Him throughout the land. Praise God, no surrender! win.’ bicomakamisho” — book of Genesis one-two. Vessels of mercy He prepared, For the men who wield a Bible and a sword. ‘What’s the name that’s do-or-die? G-A-N-T... R-Y!’ Frank: Elmer! Psalms, 24: “Or who shall stand in His Filled with His own dear blood. If you seek an answer, speed along His walls, Baines (Restoring order): Gentlemen, please. (To holy place?” Now let us serve Him, never emerging, Faithfully inquire of each you see; Elmer): Your feats on the gridiron are not what have (They depart, their voices trailing off.) From that redeeming flood. There may be a man among us who declined God’s brought you here. Elmer: “Oomimyicom bicomakamisho.” Is that better? Serve Him in gladness, serve Him in joy, battle-call, Elmer (Rising, he addresses them contritely): Sirs, if (The transformation to the next scene continues Serve Him in faith and love; But I tell you, brother, that man is not me. it’s about certain… carousing… during): ’Til from this earth we part at last, Who’s the man? Who’s the doubter? Sometimes a guy’s just gotta relax — you know!… and Blackout To serve Him in Heaven above. Let him stand before his Lord. once, just once – last night! – I wandered into a tavern, Vessels of wrath He turned aside, Every man among us must be righteous, brave and true, an awful, sinful place – tell ’em, Frank. 4 Act I, Scene 4 Willing that we might live; As we fight on with a Bible and a sword. Frank (Starts to rise, but is immediately cut off): Tha— Later that evening, outside Sharon Falconer’s revival With His last breath on that old cross, (There is a knock on the front door. Elmer stands Baines: Nonsense. Didn’t St. Paul himself say, “Take a tent on a vacant lot in Sautersville, Missouri. He did our sins forgive. hesitant in the doorway.) bit of wine for your stomach?” (The scene encompasses part of the inside of a large Joyfully singing, take up your burden Recitative The Faculty: He did, he did. revival tent, as well as the area outside the tent. The Firm in your faith confessed. Baines: Mr. Gantry, please come in. I’d like to present Baines: We’ve brought you here for the sake of… your view into the tent can either be accomplished through a Every service for Jesus Christ to you the faculty of the college and seminary. I believe soul. very wide ‘realistic’ opening into the tent, or by a By Jesus Christ is blessed. you have studied under many of these gentlemen. Elmer: Oh... yessir. My soul… means a lot to me. more abstract ‘cutaway’ effect. In either case, the Vessels abounding, trust complete,

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wheat tow’ring head high in his field, Lulu: Decide! Baines (Appreciative): Aah... Well said. Baines: Mmm. The Lord can use big, strong men. Men His barley and his beets, a bumper crop of peas, Elmer (Sheepishly): We can’t get married until then. The Faculty (Hushed and appreciative): Indeed, well who can be examples to others. I run tell him, “John, you’re free and clear.” Lulu: But you want to? said. He has no use for mollycoddles. And at that moment, he smiled at me and died. Elmer: Sure. Baines: We heard you were defending the blessed (Silence. Elmer is still rapt in apparent concentration.) But his last words to me still are ringing in my ears. Lulu: Elmer Gantry! name of our Lord! You chose to stand up for Jesus! (All Mmm. The dean of our seminary is prepared to offer He said, “At last I’ve seen the truth, and the truth has Elmer: Just think for a moment of the difficulties. the men quickly stand. To them): All right. (They just as you a full three-year scholarship. set me free.” Lulu: No, Elmer. quickly sit.) We’ve asked someone here to entreat you. (Elmer springs to his feet, excited but unsure what to say.) (with Frank) Oh that first day Elmer: Gosh, you look so beautiful when you say that. Head of the campus YMCA! Eddie: Something is stirring inside him! Oh that’s what folks tell me (Stifling all argument, Elmer kisses her.) Edward Fislinger. (Who now steps forward proudly.) Elmer: Sirs, I feel somethin’ kinda stirrin’ inside me. Oh that first day Tonight... Behind the chapel... eight o’clock. Go on. Elmer (Spoken aside, to Frank): Eddie Fartslinger?! (Frank, unseen by the others, prompts with urgent hand That day they listen to me. (Repeat) (She looks at him with tender reproach, but says Eddie: What is Love? signals that they should leave the room.) Maybe if I Day they turn around, question themselves Oh ask nothing. She leaves, turning back to blow him a kiss.) Yes! What is Love? could go and ... kinda pray by myself, it might help. yourselves... Elmer (to Frank): O.K.! It is the Morning and the Evening star, Baines: The Spirit is working within you. Stay, and let When you climb in a boat will you row it? (During the following exchange, Frank and Elmer are What is Love? us all pray that God may call you. If you mean to play ball, will you throw it? involved in cleaning up the scene of the meeting. They Baines (Interrupts briskly): Thank you, Edward. (Eddie and the men of the faculty fall to their knees, When you make no sense’t all, will you stow it? store their tools in a large crate, place the chairs and (Eddie steps back, cowed.) each joining his hands across the seat of his reversed Now I’m asking you all, do you know it? tables nearby, cover all with a tarpaulin. Then they (To Elmer): My young friend... young friends, I should chair and bowing his head.) When you hear the truth do you know it? right themselves for their return to the seminary. They say (momentarily including Frank) ... your courageous Elmer: Sirs, somethin’ is stirrin’ inside me. And it If you believe in a thing, will you show it? are practiced; they work quickly and efficiently.) actions of yesterday have not gone unnoticed. We sense says, oh yes I can hear it, it says, ‘Go and kinda pray by C’mon now: Elmer: How ’bout my spiel [speel] on The Dying a change in you. We summon you to give you strength. yourself and ... and see what happens.’ (with Frank): Get some farm tools Farmer, Frank? Think I got ’em. We wish to see you continue in the good fight of faith The Others: The spirit begins to move in him. Oh that’s what I tell folks Frank (Angry): What about Lulu Baines? You didn’t whereunto you are called. Elmer Gantry, in great God calls him. Will he listen? World’s best farm tools tell me. solemnity I ask you... (he pauses for effect.) Elmer (Over): It says, ‘Go and kinda pray by yourself.’ PEQUOT FARM IMPLEMENTS. Elmer: Didn’t I, Frank? (With great expansiveness)Oh Elmer (Weakly): Sir? Baines (Over): Go, then. With prayer we’ll besiege the Be back here tomorrow morning when I will discuss yes, what a sweetheart! I’m just crazy about her! Baines: Have you thought of studying for the ministry? throne of grace for you. Go,then. livestock and hog oiling. Frank: Don’t give me that! We’re breaking every rule Have you considered a life devoted to the Word of The Faculty: Go, then. Go, then. (The crowd applauds Elmer’s speech. Lulu runs up to in the Terwillinger code, risking our careers selling this Jesus Christ? Baines (He kneels): Brother Edward, will you lead us? him; as they talk, he is distracted by some of his junk... Elmer (Stunned): Golly. (As Eddie begins, Elmer and Frank remain frozen. departing customers.) Elmer: How’d we do? (During the following, Lulu enters again and quietly Lulu, who has remained sitting in a half-bowed attitude, Elmer: Lulu, what did ya think…? – nice to see ya – Frank: Nine bucks... And the whole time, you’re circulates, collecting coffee cups.) looks demurely at Elmer. After a moment, Elmer and what did ya think of my little jazzing the president’s daughter! Baines: It’s a grave question, I know. I appreciate your Frank quietly retreat to an adjacent room. Their sermon? What’s gonna happen when he finds out? discomfiture. Take a moment to yourself. (Silence. All recitative occurs simultaneously with the prayer led Lulu: What if my father finds out? Elmer: Oh Frank, you worry too much. That’s your eyes are on Elmer, who soon assumes a look of intent by Eddie. Eddie sings over the Faculty, pausing in Elmer: Aw, it’s good honest business (he waves problem. Worry, worry, worry. Stick around me, you’ll thoughtfulness. Pause. Lulu passes near them.) Ah! the silent meditation between his lines.) goodbye to someone) and that’s gotta be alright with the get over it. lovely bride.... Thank you, Lulu. Mr. Gantry, my Prayer and Recitative Lord. Frank: Jerk. daughter Lulu. She and Mr. Fislinger have recently The Faculty (Under): Open his heart. Teach him, teach Lulu: What about Eddie? (Pause. They continue their work.) announced their engagement. (To her): Mr. Gantry is a him, Elmer: Lulu, I’m doing all this for you. Just trying to Elmer: What class have we got at three? candidate for the seminary. Teach him Thy way, O Lord, lead him on. (Repeat) get ahead, make some money, graduate school, then I’ll Frank: Old Testament Hebrew. Lulu: Oh, how wonderful. Open his heart and show him Thy way. be able to get a good church somewhere. You know Elmer: Ugh! (Pause) All right. Go ahead. Elmer: Yes I am, Miss Baines. (An awkward recovery): Teach him to know you, Lord Jesus. how difficult it is for a preacher to get his first real Frank (Reciting in Hebrew as they continue righting Thinking about it, I mean. (She smiles and passes on to Eddie: Dear Lord, open the heart of our brother Elmer church. We can’t decide until then. themselves): Aron kodesh. stand by Eddie.) Gantry. Yes, Lord! And, Lord, let him know the

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wondrous love that You have vouchsafed the world. Frank: No. Hallelujah, hallelujah! Thank you, Lord. (Repeat) say ‘Meeting Today at Noon’, ‘Will You Act Now?’, Elmer: Lord! Did you get a load of that Lulu? What a Elmer: Why not? What else would you do? Go practice He is convicted by grace! ‘Tomorrow May Be Too Late’, and ‘One Last Chance’. nice, nice girl. law with your cousins in Toluca? Eddie and Lulu: He is! It is a bright summer’s day; both men are in Frank: Hell-cat, you need a drink. Here, first-rate corn Sounds like a high old time. Elmer: I am! shirtsleeves and ties. After a moment, Lulu Baines runs whiskey. I’m never without it. Frank: It’s honest, at least. All: And of the Word, he has had experience. in. She and Elmer embrace; then Elmer moves her to Elmer: But, ooh that Fislinger! Oh, he’s gonna get it! Elmer: There’s nothing dishonest about this. Eddie and Others: Magnificent! Great praise! one side. Elmer leaps dramatically onto the wooden Frank: Take it easy, Hell-cat. Frank: Hell-cat. I’m with you on football, and drinking Eddie (Aside): But my, what a curious smell of platform. Frank will join him to play a supporting role Eddie: Show Brother Elmer Thy way; Thy way, O and the ladies. But I don’t believe in joking about peppermints! in the presentation.) Lord; teach him to know Thy way which is the religion. Eddie, Lulu and Baines: My, what a curious smell of Aria only hope of man. Elmer: Who’s joking? Look, Frank. I’ve always peppermints! Elmer: When you hear the truth do you know it? Frank (As Elmer drinks): What a bunch of yammers in believed in God. I was baptized at sixteen, member of (The following are sung simultaneously, until Elmer’s If you believe in a thing, will you show it? there! the church. I might have sinned a little along the way... solo): Say you’re going along, day like today, Elmer: Mm hmn, and Prexy Baines offering me a Frank: Ha! Lulu, Baines: Magnificent! Magnificent! Sun streaming bright down and you set in your ways. three-year scholarship! Elmer (Spoken, very oratorical): Love, my friends, is Elmer: Hallelujah, hallelujah, O thank you, Jesus! If you hear something new, can it turn you around? Frank: And all that drool about big strong men. the Morning and the Evening star. (Aside): Trust me, Frank. (etc) Can you be turned? Elmer (Dramatically): But what about... (To Frank): I’m sure to be a better preacher than that Frank: And that goes double for me! (Aside): What the When you hear the truth do you know it? Both: ... his daughter! angleworm Eddie. And you’re comin’ with me! devil have you done to us, Elmer? If you believe in a thing, will you show it? Elmer: Beautiful. Frank: No sir. Elmer (Solo): God just opened my eyes to this Watch this: Frank: Engaged to Eddie. Eddie: Teach him to know you, Lord. wonderful ole world. (with Frank) Oh that first day Elmer: There is no God. Frank: Forget it. He said, “Don’t you wanna make people happy?” Oh that’s what I ask folks Frank: I’m here to tell ya. (They continue to drink.) Elmer (After a pause, breezily): O.K. Forget it. Let’s He said, “Don’t you wanna LOVE everyone?” Oh that first day Eddie: Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, Lord. go tell ’em to forget it. Baines and the Faculty: Day folks open up Elmer: Oh, that’s better. Frank: O.K., Hell-cat. Wait. Peppermints, for our The men God predestinates, He calls. Turn around see for themselves Oh discover Frank (Drinks): Much better. breath. (He offers them. They both chew hurriedly.) The men whom He calls, He justifies. PEQUOT FARM IMPLEMENTS. That’s Pequot farm Elmer: I’d probably make a pretty good preacher! Elmer: Let’s go. Oh! Let me see your hands. And the justified, He also glorifies; implements. (Grandly): What is Love? What is Love? (Without thinking, Frank holds out his hands. Elmer They are elected and convicted by grace. Some time ago, I was called to the bedside of a dying Frank (Mocking):…Lulu Baines suddenly seizes them, forcing Frank to the ground.) All: Magnificent! Magnificent! Magnificent! farmer. Elmer: Easy work… thousands of people listening to Frank: Oww! Magnificent! Great praise! He said, “Elmer, I’ve been stubborn ’round the farm you. And you, up there, helping them to be happy. (Elmer falls to his knees alongside, keeping hold of Elmer: Trust me, Frank. Trust me, Frank. (etc.) and foolish in my fields. Frank: Sure! Frank and screaming): Hallelujah, hallelujah! My machinery all is rusted, and those bankers whom I Elmer: And all those doe-eyed honeys like Lulu Baines Ensemble Hallelujah, hallelujah! trusted sittin’, looking up at you from the front row. And don’t Elmer: Hallelujah, hallelujah, O thank you, Jesus! (They all continue singing as Elmer and Frank exit Are now threatening to take the place away.” they give you a house for free? At the top, I bet you can (Aside): Trust me, Frank. triumphantly) That very day, I got to work with the help of little John make eight or ten thousand a year. Hallelujah! (Aside): Trust me, trust me. (Aloud): Saved Blackout Junior, Eddie: Lift the veil of worldliness from our brother by grace! (Aside): Trust me, Frank. (Aloud): Hallelujah! Exchanging each old-fashioned tool for a brand-new Elmer, and oh! don’t forget our brother, Frank. (Eddie and the others have rushed to the door, where 3 Act I, Scene 3 Pequot type. Frank: Have a drink, Hell-cat. they stare in amazement at the scene before them.) Eighteen months later. A field on the outskirts of New spike-wheel coulters for his old, a new sidedresser Elmer: Boy, it’s worth thinking about. For you too, Eddie, Elmer: Grauten, MO. good as gold Frank! With your brains, you’d go right to the top. You ELMER GANTRY SAVED! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! (Elmer and Frank are setting up for a typical camp And for a ploughshare, the Pequot Model Five. could talk circles around those gazabos. (Elmer and Frank are helped to their feet and guided meeting: a wooden platform, several small tables Well, pretty soon up comes his sorghum, twice a Frank: You can’t be serious about this. back to the president’s office.) strewn with pamphlets, a rough wooden bench for the normal yield. Elmer: How ’bout if I could get a scholarship for you, too? All: Hallelujah, hallelujah! O thank you, Jesus. old people. All around, neatly painted picket signs From his little bedroom window, old John can see the

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wondrous love that You have vouchsafed the world. Frank: No. Hallelujah, hallelujah! Thank you, Lord. (Repeat) say ‘Meeting Today at Noon’, ‘Will You Act Now?’, Elmer: Lord! Did you get a load of that Lulu? What a Elmer: Why not? What else would you do? Go practice He is convicted by grace! ‘Tomorrow May Be Too Late’, and ‘One Last Chance’. nice, nice girl. law with your cousins in Toluca? Eddie and Lulu: He is! It is a bright summer’s day; both men are in Frank: Hell-cat, you need a drink. Here, first-rate corn Sounds like a high old time. Elmer: I am! shirtsleeves and ties. After a moment, Lulu Baines runs whiskey. I’m never without it. Frank: It’s honest, at least. All: And of the Word, he has had experience. in. She and Elmer embrace; then Elmer moves her to Elmer: But, ooh that Fislinger! Oh, he’s gonna get it! Elmer: There’s nothing dishonest about this. Eddie and Others: Magnificent! Great praise! one side. Elmer leaps dramatically onto the wooden Frank: Take it easy, Hell-cat. Frank: Hell-cat. I’m with you on football, and drinking Eddie (Aside): But my, what a curious smell of platform. Frank will join him to play a supporting role Eddie: Show Brother Elmer Thy way; Thy way, O and the ladies. But I don’t believe in joking about peppermints! in the presentation.) Lord; teach him to know Thy way which is the religion. Eddie, Lulu and Baines: My, what a curious smell of Aria only hope of man. Elmer: Who’s joking? Look, Frank. I’ve always peppermints! Elmer: When you hear the truth do you know it? Frank (As Elmer drinks): What a bunch of yammers in believed in God. I was baptized at sixteen, member of (The following are sung simultaneously, until Elmer’s If you believe in a thing, will you show it? there! the church. I might have sinned a little along the way... solo): Say you’re going along, day like today, Elmer: Mm hmn, and Prexy Baines offering me a Frank: Ha! Lulu, Baines: Magnificent! Magnificent! Sun streaming bright down and you set in your ways. three-year scholarship! Elmer (Spoken, very oratorical): Love, my friends, is Elmer: Hallelujah, hallelujah, O thank you, Jesus! If you hear something new, can it turn you around? Frank: And all that drool about big strong men. the Morning and the Evening star. (Aside): Trust me, Frank. (etc) Can you be turned? Elmer (Dramatically): But what about... (To Frank): I’m sure to be a better preacher than that Frank: And that goes double for me! (Aside): What the When you hear the truth do you know it? Both: ... his daughter! angleworm Eddie. And you’re comin’ with me! devil have you done to us, Elmer? If you believe in a thing, will you show it? Elmer: Beautiful. Frank: No sir. Elmer (Solo): God just opened my eyes to this Watch this: Frank: Engaged to Eddie. Eddie: Teach him to know you, Lord. wonderful ole world. (with Frank) Oh that first day Elmer: There is no God. Frank: Forget it. He said, “Don’t you wanna make people happy?” Oh that’s what I ask folks Frank: I’m here to tell ya. (They continue to drink.) Elmer (After a pause, breezily): O.K. Forget it. Let’s He said, “Don’t you wanna LOVE everyone?” Oh that first day Eddie: Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, Lord. go tell ’em to forget it. Baines and the Faculty: Day folks open up Elmer: Oh, that’s better. Frank: O.K., Hell-cat. Wait. Peppermints, for our The men God predestinates, He calls. Turn around see for themselves Oh discover Frank (Drinks): Much better. breath. (He offers them. They both chew hurriedly.) The men whom He calls, He justifies. PEQUOT FARM IMPLEMENTS. That’s Pequot farm Elmer: I’d probably make a pretty good preacher! Elmer: Let’s go. Oh! Let me see your hands. And the justified, He also glorifies; implements. (Grandly): What is Love? What is Love? (Without thinking, Frank holds out his hands. Elmer They are elected and convicted by grace. Some time ago, I was called to the bedside of a dying Frank (Mocking):…Lulu Baines suddenly seizes them, forcing Frank to the ground.) All: Magnificent! Magnificent! Magnificent! farmer. Elmer: Easy work… thousands of people listening to Frank: Oww! Magnificent! Great praise! He said, “Elmer, I’ve been stubborn ’round the farm you. And you, up there, helping them to be happy. (Elmer falls to his knees alongside, keeping hold of Elmer: Trust me, Frank. Trust me, Frank. (etc.) and foolish in my fields. Frank: Sure! Frank and screaming): Hallelujah, hallelujah! My machinery all is rusted, and those bankers whom I Elmer: And all those doe-eyed honeys like Lulu Baines Ensemble Hallelujah, hallelujah! trusted sittin’, looking up at you from the front row. And don’t Elmer: Hallelujah, hallelujah, O thank you, Jesus! (They all continue singing as Elmer and Frank exit Are now threatening to take the place away.” they give you a house for free? At the top, I bet you can (Aside): Trust me, Frank. triumphantly) That very day, I got to work with the help of little John make eight or ten thousand a year. Hallelujah! (Aside): Trust me, trust me. (Aloud): Saved Blackout Junior, Eddie: Lift the veil of worldliness from our brother by grace! (Aside): Trust me, Frank. (Aloud): Hallelujah! Exchanging each old-fashioned tool for a brand-new Elmer, and oh! don’t forget our brother, Frank. (Eddie and the others have rushed to the door, where 3 Act I, Scene 3 Pequot type. Frank: Have a drink, Hell-cat. they stare in amazement at the scene before them.) Eighteen months later. A field on the outskirts of New spike-wheel coulters for his old, a new sidedresser Elmer: Boy, it’s worth thinking about. For you too, Eddie, Elmer: Grauten, MO. good as gold Frank! With your brains, you’d go right to the top. You ELMER GANTRY SAVED! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! (Elmer and Frank are setting up for a typical camp And for a ploughshare, the Pequot Model Five. could talk circles around those gazabos. (Elmer and Frank are helped to their feet and guided meeting: a wooden platform, several small tables Well, pretty soon up comes his sorghum, twice a Frank: You can’t be serious about this. back to the president’s office.) strewn with pamphlets, a rough wooden bench for the normal yield. Elmer: How ’bout if I could get a scholarship for you, too? All: Hallelujah, hallelujah! O thank you, Jesus. old people. All around, neatly painted picket signs From his little bedroom window, old John can see the

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wheat tow’ring head high in his field, Lulu: Decide! Baines (Appreciative): Aah... Well said. Baines: Mmm. The Lord can use big, strong men. Men His barley and his beets, a bumper crop of peas, Elmer (Sheepishly): We can’t get married until then. The Faculty (Hushed and appreciative): Indeed, well who can be examples to others. I run tell him, “John, you’re free and clear.” Lulu: But you want to? said. He has no use for mollycoddles. And at that moment, he smiled at me and died. Elmer: Sure. Baines: We heard you were defending the blessed (Silence. Elmer is still rapt in apparent concentration.) But his last words to me still are ringing in my ears. Lulu: Elmer Gantry! name of our Lord! You chose to stand up for Jesus! (All Mmm. The dean of our seminary is prepared to offer He said, “At last I’ve seen the truth, and the truth has Elmer: Just think for a moment of the difficulties. the men quickly stand. To them): All right. (They just as you a full three-year scholarship. set me free.” Lulu: No, Elmer. quickly sit.) We’ve asked someone here to entreat you. (Elmer springs to his feet, excited but unsure what to say.) (with Frank) Oh that first day Elmer: Gosh, you look so beautiful when you say that. Head of the campus YMCA! Eddie: Something is stirring inside him! Oh that’s what folks tell me (Stifling all argument, Elmer kisses her.) Edward Fislinger. (Who now steps forward proudly.) Elmer: Sirs, I feel somethin’ kinda stirrin’ inside me. Oh that first day Tonight... Behind the chapel... eight o’clock. Go on. Elmer (Spoken aside, to Frank): Eddie Fartslinger?! (Frank, unseen by the others, prompts with urgent hand That day they listen to me. (Repeat) (She looks at him with tender reproach, but says Eddie: What is Love? signals that they should leave the room.) Maybe if I Day they turn around, question themselves Oh ask nothing. She leaves, turning back to blow him a kiss.) Yes! What is Love? could go and ... kinda pray by myself, it might help. yourselves... Elmer (to Frank): O.K.! It is the Morning and the Evening star, Baines: The Spirit is working within you. Stay, and let When you climb in a boat will you row it? (During the following exchange, Frank and Elmer are What is Love? us all pray that God may call you. If you mean to play ball, will you throw it? involved in cleaning up the scene of the meeting. They Baines (Interrupts briskly): Thank you, Edward. (Eddie and the men of the faculty fall to their knees, When you make no sense’t all, will you stow it? store their tools in a large crate, place the chairs and (Eddie steps back, cowed.) each joining his hands across the seat of his reversed Now I’m asking you all, do you know it? tables nearby, cover all with a tarpaulin. Then they (To Elmer): My young friend... young friends, I should chair and bowing his head.) When you hear the truth do you know it? right themselves for their return to the seminary. They say (momentarily including Frank) ... your courageous Elmer: Sirs, somethin’ is stirrin’ inside me. And it If you believe in a thing, will you show it? are practiced; they work quickly and efficiently.) actions of yesterday have not gone unnoticed. We sense says, oh yes I can hear it, it says, ‘Go and kinda pray by C’mon now: Elmer: How ’bout my spiel [speel] on The Dying a change in you. We summon you to give you strength. yourself and ... and see what happens.’ (with Frank): Get some farm tools Farmer, Frank? Think I got ’em. We wish to see you continue in the good fight of faith The Others: The spirit begins to move in him. Oh that’s what I tell folks Frank (Angry): What about Lulu Baines? You didn’t whereunto you are called. Elmer Gantry, in great God calls him. Will he listen? World’s best farm tools tell me. solemnity I ask you... (he pauses for effect.) Elmer (Over): It says, ‘Go and kinda pray by yourself.’ PEQUOT FARM IMPLEMENTS. Elmer: Didn’t I, Frank? (With great expansiveness)Oh Elmer (Weakly): Sir? Baines (Over): Go, then. With prayer we’ll besiege the Be back here tomorrow morning when I will discuss yes, what a sweetheart! I’m just crazy about her! Baines: Have you thought of studying for the ministry? throne of grace for you. Go,then. livestock and hog oiling. Frank: Don’t give me that! We’re breaking every rule Have you considered a life devoted to the Word of The Faculty: Go, then. Go, then. (The crowd applauds Elmer’s speech. Lulu runs up to in the Terwillinger code, risking our careers selling this Jesus Christ? Baines (He kneels): Brother Edward, will you lead us? him; as they talk, he is distracted by some of his junk... Elmer (Stunned): Golly. (As Eddie begins, Elmer and Frank remain frozen. departing customers.) Elmer: How’d we do? (During the following, Lulu enters again and quietly Lulu, who has remained sitting in a half-bowed attitude, Elmer: Lulu, what did ya think…? – nice to see ya – Frank: Nine bucks... And the whole time, you’re circulates, collecting coffee cups.) looks demurely at Elmer. After a moment, Elmer and what did ya think of my little jazzing the president’s daughter! Baines: It’s a grave question, I know. I appreciate your Frank quietly retreat to an adjacent room. Their sermon? What’s gonna happen when he finds out? discomfiture. Take a moment to yourself. (Silence. All recitative occurs simultaneously with the prayer led Lulu: What if my father finds out? Elmer: Oh Frank, you worry too much. That’s your eyes are on Elmer, who soon assumes a look of intent by Eddie. Eddie sings over the Faculty, pausing in Elmer: Aw, it’s good honest business (he waves problem. Worry, worry, worry. Stick around me, you’ll thoughtfulness. Pause. Lulu passes near them.) Ah! the silent meditation between his lines.) goodbye to someone) and that’s gotta be alright with the get over it. lovely bride.... Thank you, Lulu. Mr. Gantry, my Prayer and Recitative Lord. Frank: Jerk. daughter Lulu. She and Mr. Fislinger have recently The Faculty (Under): Open his heart. Teach him, teach Lulu: What about Eddie? (Pause. They continue their work.) announced their engagement. (To her): Mr. Gantry is a him, Elmer: Lulu, I’m doing all this for you. Just trying to Elmer: What class have we got at three? candidate for the seminary. Teach him Thy way, O Lord, lead him on. (Repeat) get ahead, make some money, graduate school, then I’ll Frank: Old Testament Hebrew. Lulu: Oh, how wonderful. Open his heart and show him Thy way. be able to get a good church somewhere. You know Elmer: Ugh! (Pause) All right. Go ahead. Elmer: Yes I am, Miss Baines. (An awkward recovery): Teach him to know you, Lord Jesus. how difficult it is for a preacher to get his first real Frank (Reciting in Hebrew as they continue righting Thinking about it, I mean. (She smiles and passes on to Eddie: Dear Lord, open the heart of our brother Elmer church. We can’t decide until then. themselves): Aron kodesh. stand by Eddie.) Gantry. Yes, Lord! And, Lord, let him know the

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pulled from their customary places and haphazardly (Elmer enters, followed by Frank, who hangs back Elmer: What? intention is that the tent seem very large, and that part arranged, as if in expectation of a meeting. Most of unobtrusively.) Frank: Aron kodesh. The holy ark. Oomi yicoom of its interior remain invisible. As the scene begins, the those in attendance are old men. Eddie Fislinger, an Professor Eversley... the Reverend Mr. Hudkins... Dr. b’mcom kadisho. sound of a choral hymn comes from within the tent. It earnest young man who heads the college YMCA, Ingle.... And of course, we know you as our victorious Elmer (Pensive): Uh oh; problem, Frank. Problem. You will continue under the action of the scene. Those who stands to the side. As the lights come up, all vigorously quarterback, the shining star of the Terwillinger going to hear that revival woman tonight — Sharon have not been able to find seats inside stand just outside strike up a hymn. During the singing, Lulu Baines Terriers. Haven’t we seven victories this year? Falconer? the tent-flap, craning their necks to see, and singing enters from a rear door, quietly serves coffee from a Elmer: Nine, sir. We’re nine and two so far this year. (From now until the end of the scene, workers enter to along. Occasionally someone pushes through them, tray, exits.) The Faculty: Nine and two, nine and two. set up Sharon’s tent on other parts of the stage. Some of entering or leaving. Outside the tent, a carnival Hymn Best in the conference, nine and two. the elements left behind by Elmer and Frank will be atmosphere prevails. It is a grander, more chaotic Baines, Eddie, Faculty: Baines (Noticing Frank): And this is Mr. ...? incorporated into the scene to come.) version of the “meeting” held by Elmer and Frank. A Who’s the man among us has not battled for the Lord? Elmer: My friend, Frank Shallard. Frank: Nope. I find that revival stuff a little moist. revival worker stands near a large banner which reads Could there be a coward in our ranks? Baines (Ignoring Frank, who has proffered his hand): You? ‘Old Time Revival Tonight’, and a sign saying ‘Sister Bring the doubter forward, he must surely bend his knee, Yes, yes, Mr. Shallard. Elmer: That’s the problem. Say it again... Sharon Falconer Speaks – All are welcome’. People As to our Saviour we give thanks: Elmer: Senior class valedictorian. Frank: Oomi yicoom b’mcom kadisho. mill around in groups, talking or singing along; Praise God in the highest, Baines: Fine, fine. (He ignores Frank.) Elmer: I thought I’d go. Get some preachin’ ideas. So children play; a vendor hawks refreshments. After a few Praise and magnify the Lord. Elmer: Whatever I’ve done, Frank can vouch for me. here’s what: you meet Lulu, back of the chapel, eight moments, Elmer enters the scene.) Praise God, and remember, Baines: Please sit down. (Putting his arm around o’clock, stall her a couple of minutes. Be nice to her; Hymn We are fighting with a Bible and a sword. Elmer’s shoulder, he leads him to a chair. talk me up; I won’t be long. Chorus: Vessels of service, great and small, When the war clouds gather in a dark and sullen sky, Frank, awkwardly fending for himself, also finds an Frank: No! She’s your problem. Vessels we wish to be, And a salvo from the cannon’s mouth has roared, empty chair. Gravely): Young man, we have followed Elmer: Our problem, Frank. If she talks, she’s our Filled with our Saviour’s brimming Love, From the trenches, from the redoubts, there goes up a the course of your football career with great pleasure. problem. Serving Him tirelessly. joyful cry, Isn’t that so, gentlemen? (Pause) Be like a vessel, rounded and true, “We are those who battle for the Lord!” The Faculty: ‘Gantry scrambles through the brambles.’ Frank: Elmer, I take it back about the jerk. You are Made by your Saviour’s hand, Praise God in the highest, ‘Third and nine — he’ll trounce the line.’ evil. Filled with devotion, ready now Praise and magnify the Lord. ‘Pitch out, pop out, down and in, Terwillinger is gonna Elmer: Settled. Now, here we go: “Oomimyicom To serve Him throughout the land. Praise God, no surrender! win.’ bicomakamisho” — book of Genesis one-two. Vessels of mercy He prepared, For the men who wield a Bible and a sword. ‘What’s the name that’s do-or-die? G-A-N-T... R-Y!’ Frank: Elmer! Psalms, 24: “Or who shall stand in His Filled with His own dear blood. If you seek an answer, speed along His walls, Baines (Restoring order): Gentlemen, please. (To holy place?” Now let us serve Him, never emerging, Faithfully inquire of each you see; Elmer): Your feats on the gridiron are not what have (They depart, their voices trailing off.) From that redeeming flood. There may be a man among us who declined God’s brought you here. Elmer: “Oomimyicom bicomakamisho.” Is that better? Serve Him in gladness, serve Him in joy, battle-call, Elmer (Rising, he addresses them contritely): Sirs, if (The transformation to the next scene continues Serve Him in faith and love; But I tell you, brother, that man is not me. it’s about certain… carousing… during): ’Til from this earth we part at last, Who’s the man? Who’s the doubter? Sometimes a guy’s just gotta relax — you know!… and Blackout To serve Him in Heaven above. Let him stand before his Lord. once, just once – last night! – I wandered into a tavern, Vessels of wrath He turned aside, Every man among us must be righteous, brave and true, an awful, sinful place – tell ’em, Frank. 4 Act I, Scene 4 Willing that we might live; As we fight on with a Bible and a sword. Frank (Starts to rise, but is immediately cut off): Tha— Later that evening, outside Sharon Falconer’s revival With His last breath on that old cross, (There is a knock on the front door. Elmer stands Baines: Nonsense. Didn’t St. Paul himself say, “Take a tent on a vacant lot in Sautersville, Missouri. He did our sins forgive. hesitant in the doorway.) bit of wine for your stomach?” (The scene encompasses part of the inside of a large Joyfully singing, take up your burden Recitative The Faculty: He did, he did. revival tent, as well as the area outside the tent. The Firm in your faith confessed. Baines: Mr. Gantry, please come in. I’d like to present Baines: We’ve brought you here for the sake of… your view into the tent can either be accomplished through a Every service for Jesus Christ to you the faculty of the college and seminary. I believe soul. very wide ‘realistic’ opening into the tent, or by a By Jesus Christ is blessed. you have studied under many of these gentlemen. Elmer: Oh... yessir. My soul… means a lot to me. more abstract ‘cutaway’ effect. In either case, the Vessels abounding, trust complete,

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separates himself from the group and they go through There’s a twelve-minute limit at the mourner’s bench. 4 Scene 3: Same setting, later that night. 7 Scene 6: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, very their drills for him.) Women: Remember when she’s hollering in Japanese Frank expresses his doubts about God and yearns for a late that night. Women: Left, left; left, right, left. or French, “fresh, boundless” faith. TJ Rigg, financier of the tabernacle, checks last-minute We are soldiers fighting on the front line, There’s a twelve-minute limit at the mourner’s bench. details in the building. He is awestruck by its cross of We are sailors throwing out the lifeline, Elmer: With Jesus…! 5 Scene 4: A hotel room in Zenith, Missouri, a few electric lights. We are umpires spotting from the sideline, Women: With Jesus our Saviour we shall prevail, months later. If we come through, everything will go fine. By lending strong hands and spirits hale. Elmer has an assignation with Lulu. She sings him a 8 Scene 7: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, Elmer: O.K. Here we go... We are soldiers fighting on the front line, suggestive “bedtime story”, then lets Eddie in the door Opening Night, 1913. I’m reachin’ in my pocket when the plate comes around, If we come through, everything will go fine. to spy on them as she and Elmer make love. Sharon and Elmer enchant their throngs of followers. I got a sheepish look when I tell you what I found, (Sharon leaves to oversee other work. The women file Eddie and Lulu arrive to denounce Elmer as a I say, “Excuse me, Miss, I’m in kind of a stew. off in formation. All around, the work of building the 6 Scene 5: Sharon’s private sanctuary in the philanderer and a sinner. Chaos follows, and a fire I’ve only got a five, but I’ll sure give you two.” tabernacle continues.) Tabernacle, the same day. breaks out. Elmer tries to save Sharon, but she refuses What do you do? Recitative In her private sanctuary, Sharon prays to God for help his help. He escapes; she stays to comfort her flock with Women: We give you three dollars back. Frank: Welcome to Zenith. on the evening before the opening of her tabernacle. She a last mystical vision as all are immolated. Elmer: Wrong. Elmer: I heard you were here, Frankibus. Great to see also prays for advice about Elmer, who has asked her to Take the five bills and smile to the gills, and this is ya! marry him. 9 Epilogue: Another place, a few weeks later. what you say: Frank: My church is a few blocks from here. Can I Elmer embarks on a new career with the founder of the “In the marts of men all shady deals with ease you can stop by sometime? We’ll catch up on things. ‘New Thought’ movement . The ashes of the fire and the arrange, Elmer: Love to. Next week? haunting voices of the past surround him. But Heaven is not a banking house and the Holy Ghost Frank: Perfect. doesn’t make change.” Elmer (Looking around): So, what do you think? Not Robert Livingston Aldridge Women: Heaven is not a banking house and the Holy bad for a seminary dropout. Ghost doesn’t make change. Frank: Listen, Elmer. I’m glad you’re getting on, but I Robert Livingston Aldridge has written over sixty works for orchestra, opera, music- We are soldiers fighting on the front line, wonder about all this soldier-sailor-money stuff. theater, dance, string quartet, solo and chamber ensembles. His music has been We are sailors throwing out the lifeline, (T.J. Rigg enters. He is followed by two Elks in full performed throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. He has received We are umpires spotting from the sideline, regalia who between them carry a very large rectangle of numerous fellowships and awards for his music from the Guggenheim Foundation, If we come through, everything will go fine. cardboard. A reporter and a press photographer are part the American Academy of Arts and Letters, National Endowment for the Arts, the (Sharon has entered to oversee details of the of their entourage. T.J. is leading Sharon by the hand.) New York Foundation for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the preparations. She moves over to quiz the women.) T.J.: Looky who I found! (Spoken): C’mon boys! Massachusetts Artist’s Foundation, the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund, Meet the Sharon: All right, girls... Elmer: Here’s T.J.! Composer, The American Symphony Orchestra League, the New Jersey Council on Here’s a dear old thing in a homemade smock, (They perform the ritual Elks greeting.) the Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. His opera Elmer Gantry, based on And the Spirit’s going through her so her knees begin to Elmer, T.J.: Aah - WEEEEE - Oh. the novel by Sinclair Lewis, with a libretto by Herschel Garfein, was given its fully-staged world première by Nashville knock. T.J.: Elmer Gantry — speak of the devil. Opera in November, 2007. He was commissioned by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Los Angeles Chamber Pretty soon she’s shakin’ and she falls on her back, Quartet 2 (Aside): Speak of the devil! Orchestra to compose a clarinet concerto for David Singer, and his symphonic oratorio Parables (also written with librettist And she’s kickin’ up a storm ‘til her bones are like to Sharon: T.J. says he has some joyful news. Herschel Garfein) was first performed in May, 2010. Robert Livingston Aldridge has been Composer-in-Residence at the crack. T.J.: And how… Sixty thou! Brevard Music Festival since 2006. He has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony on five occasions since 1987. In 1989, What’s your tack? (The Elks turn the cardboard around to reveal a huge he was chosen to represent the New York Foundation for the Arts in a solo concert of his music at Lincoln Center. He was Women: We ask her kindly to refrain. check for $60,000 made out to “Falconer Ministries.” a founder of the Composers in Red Sneakers, a composer consortium which achieved international recognition in the Sharon: Wrong. T.J. poses with Sharon and Elmer as the photographer 1980s. His compositions are exclusively published by Edition Peters. He received a Doctorate in Composition from the Lead her down the aisle with a sympathetic smile, takes their picture.) Yale School of Music, a Masters in Composition from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelors in English Let her writhe and rage at the side of the stage, (The following groups of lines are sung simultaneously): Literature from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is a Professor of Music Composition and Theory at Montclair Just remember when she’s hollering in Japanese or French, Elmer: Thatsa lot of mazuma. State University. More information about the composer can be found at robertaldridge.com.

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Faith such that all may see; Sweet rain caresses the land, Choral Scene Frank, Three men in the crowd, Elmer: Jesus Himself did choose this lot, And pure is the joy that cradles the heart Elmer: So she…(signals crowd to repeat after him.) Result? (signals to crowd) A suffering servant He. Touched by Thee, touched by Thee. Crowd: She… Result? Result? Result? (The following lines are sung simultaneously with the No wonder the angels sing to each other. Elmer: She’s half-naked and I’m trying to calm her TOUCHDOWN! hymn, and overlapping each other) (Some congregants are kneeling, heads bowed. Sharon down. Crowd: TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN! Vendor: O.K. Ice cream. I got ice cream. O.K. I got ice slowly advances down this line of penitents, Crowd: Calm her down, gotta calm her down. Elmer, Crowd: cream. O.K. O.K. Ice cream. bestowing a silent or a whispered blessing.) Elmer: See now fellas, I am one patient man. Right, Ol’ Elmer knows what to say. And lemonade — just made, too. O.K. The crowd: Amen. Frank? Ol’ Elmer gets what he wants. Revival Worker: Come on to the big revival. Come (Elmer goes down on his knees directly in Sharon’s (He looks around for him.) Frank? Ol’ Elmer knows when it’s rough on. Come and hear the straight gospel from Sister path and ostentatiously resumes the hymn. The chorus Frank (Drunk) Right, Hell-cat. you get tough Sharon. Come and hear and be changed forever. One joins him.) Elmer: WELL, where was I? Did I mention, her fat old and you never can be tough enough. night. One night only. First, last and only night. Elmer and crowd: Joyfully singing, take up your burden, landlord keeps …what to say. Child near the tent: Where is she, Daddy? I can’t see. Firm in your faith confessed; pounding on the door? …what he wants (A revival singer comes out of the tent.) Every service for Jesus Christ So it’s time to act, when it’s rough Revival Singer (To the crowd): Oh let me tell you what By Jesus Christ is blessed. Amen. it’s time to act and I say: you get tough He did for me... Sharon: Amen. (She navigates around Elmer.) Juanita, my sweetheart, I love you, Juanita (The bully hops off his barstool. His voice rides over Revival Worker (To the crowd): Listen to the man. Elmer: Amen, Sister, amen. I think that was her name. the crowd until he gets everyone’s attention.) (He goes in.) Aria (The Bully points to the barkeep, ordering Elmer a Bully: It’s strange!… Strange, ain’t it guys? This big Revival Singer (Singing out above the crowd): A moment ago, a thought passed through me. drink. The glass is handed through the crowd to him. talker plays football for a sissy Bible school. “Vessels of mercy He prepared, and He filled them What was it? Never the same again... Elmer toasts the Bully.) Crowd: Oooh. with His own blood, His own dear blood. Now let us I stood on this spot, same as now... Your health, my friend. (Everyone senses an impending confrontation. The serve Him, never emerging from that redeeming flood. But different. (The Bully gives him a salute.) crowd rings Elmer and the Bully. Elmer affects a jovial And we’ll serve Him in gladness...” (etc.) Was it her? Elmer, Crowd: demeanor, and will maintain it until the last moment.) Crowd near the tent: She’s coming over! Here she She was here; she left; I heard what she said; I say, “Sweetheart” (signals crowd to follow him) Elmer: Now fellas, I am one patient man. Right, Frank? comes. Is that her, daddy? Lord have mercy. Oh, Lord , What about it? “I’m a football player.” (signals.) Frank: Hell-cat… yes. Oh, mercy. Yes, Sharon. Yes, Sharon. Is that her? I’ve said the same stuff myself. “Big ol’ football player” (Elmer puts his arm around the Bully.) (From within the tent, Sharon Falconer’s voice is Was it me? (All except the Bully): Elmer: I love to have a good time, coupla laughs… but heard, coming out over the hymn. The hubbub outside Did I imagine the thing that I heard? Sweetheart! boy! I just don’t like … makin’ fun… continues, but Elmer starts to listen.) Oh, let me hear it once more. What was it? I’m a football player! of JESUS! (And on the last word, he punches the Bully.) Aria Never the same again... Big ol’ football player! (There is an all-out brawl. The bully is on the floor; Sharon (beginning o.s., growing louder as she (As a hymn is sung for the altar call, people stand and Elmer, Crowd: Elmer is kicking him savagely. The crowd shouts approaches the tent opening): approach the mourner’s benches — singly and in I read your signals encouragement to the combatants, the bartender rings Oh…It’s joy, isn’t it? A joy so pure... A joy so pure... groups — to kneel and pray. Some, emotionally When you called the play, his bell furiously, a few other men start shoving each Can you feel it? Friends outside the tent... Can you feel a overcome, are helped up to the mourner’s benches by Our huddle was great and the snap was made other aggressively, as the lights quickly fade. Fade up little of that joy now? That’s the Lord... That’s the Lord... Sister Sharon, who may whisper a few words of I’m runnin’ for the end zone…(signals.) on): (She is now visible at the tent opening. Her right hand is encouragement or bestow a blessing on them. Elmer The ball is in the air…(signals.) raised, palm forward, her hair is streaming and her face hangs back along the edge of the tent, transfixed.) Now who’s gonna stop me 2 Act I, Scene 2 is flushed, perspiring. She wears a straight white robe Hymn Halfway there? The President’s office, Terwillinger Baptist College, tied with a ruby-colored cinch; its wide, slashed sleeves Gospel Quartet: Softly, through the darkest night of Runnin’ for the end zone. Cato, Missouri. fall away from her bare arms. The congregants sense fear, Jesus is calling; The ball is in the air. The next day. that she is about to address them. They stop the hymn.) Bringing comfort to the far and near, calling to thee. (The Crowd cheers and applauds Elmer, and he takes a (President Baines and other faculty members are The sun embraces the stony earth, Ever strength’ning, ever holding fast, ever abiding casual sip, as if the story were over.) seated in armchairs and side-chairs which have been

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He whispers to the straying soul at last, “Come now to Out of his mouth a two-edge sword. Elmer Gantry me.” A sword, a sword, a two-edge sword; An Opera in Two Acts And if you heed Him, Show us the last things and take us out the way we Music by Robert Livingston Aldridge Trust and cleave to Him, come in! Libretto by Herschel Garfein And call Him, “Jesus LORD!” A glittering sword. Then will He open His hand. Under the sound of my voice. Published by C.F. Peters Corporation © 2005. In faith He’ll lead you on. A stone Based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis. His blood was ransom for Man. — the last things; Copyright © 1927 by Sinclair Lewis. Renewed 1955 by Michael Lewis. Listen for Jesus. Listen for His call. Precious stone... (The altar call has concluded with several dozen people A rainbow CHARACTERS kneeling at the mourners’ benches. There is silence. — the last things; ELMER GANTRY A college football-player, later a businessman and preacher Sharon begins to sing with a mystical quiet, as if Bright rainbow... SHARON FALCONER A traveling evangelist preacher coming out of a trance. The crowd will greet her first A two-edge sword FRANK SHALLARD A college student and Elmer’s best friend, later a minister utterances with responses of “Hallelujah”, “Praise —the last things; EDDIE FISLINGER Head of the Campus YMCA, later a minister God”, etc. A two-edge sword... Then, all will rise up and join her in song.) Sharon and All: Take us out the way we come in! LULU BAINES Daughter of the college president, later married to Eddie Sharon: Jesus could be coming tonight. When the trumpet sounded for the seventh time, REV. ARTHUR BAINES President of Terwillinger College and Seminary He could split those eastern skies tonight; The Lamb stood on Mt. Zion MRS. BAINES Wife of Rev. Baines, mother of Lulu Darken the stars, cover Heaven. and with Him a hundred forty four thousand T.J. RIGG A wealthy industrialist in Zenith, and head of the Elks’ Club Ezekiel, Oh I heard Ezekiel, this very day, having their Father’s name written in their foreheads. REVIVAL SINGER Employed by Sharon Falconer Said Jesus will darken the stars, said He’ll cover Heaven. All, Sharon: Dr. Evans Binch, Keely Family Gospel Singers, Revival Worker, Ice Cream Vendor, Tour Guide, Turn water to wormwood. THE REDEEMED OF EARTH. Lord, oh redeem us now Bully, Worker 1 and 2, Child, Woman 1 and 2, Man, Men in the bar, Seminary Faculty, Men of the Said He could lift us up on a mighty wind, THE REDEEMED OF EARTH. From a captive world Elks’ Club, Women Ushers, Large SATB Chorus Show us the last things and take us out the way we THE REDEEMED OF EARTH. The redeemed by come in. Jesus Christ. SETTINGS Chorus, Sharon: (Repeat) The action takes place in locations throughout the Midwest, during the years 1905-1913. A stone, a stone, a pure white stone; (Lulu is heard calling from off-stage) ELMER GANTRY was premièred by Nashville Opera, Nashville, Tennessee, November 16th, 2007. And in that stone a new name written. Lulu: Elmer... Peak Performances, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, January 23rd, 2008. A new name for the world. Elmer: Aw, Hell! not her... A stone, a stone, a pure white stone; (He races out, angrily. Lulu has entered with Frank in Show us the last things and take us out the way we tow.) CD 1 on a barstool. The other men on barstools have swiveled come in! Quartet around to watch Elmer. Patrons at tables are turned A rainbow, a rainbow, a rainbow round His throne; Lulu: Trouble is brewing. 1 Act I, Scene 1 across the backs of their chairs, or looking around each A rainbow round His throne. Frank: All our dreams have failed. The Old Home Sample Room, Cato, Missouri, 1905. other to see his performance. One man on a barstool (the Circled ’round the throne of the Lamb. Lulu: Trouble is brewing. (A workingman’s saloon on a winter’s night. The place is Bully) seems more interested in the reaction of the A rainbow, a rainbow, a rainbow ‘round His throne; Frank: And your schemes have failed. packed, smoky, loud. As the curtain rises, we see Elmer crowd than in Elmer himself. The Barkeep is listening to Show us the last things and take us out the way we Elmer: What now? Gantry standing in the center of the room, drunk, Elmer while keeping an eye on the customers. Suspended come in! Lulu: My love, it won’t defeat us. expansive, and halfway through a story that has the above him is a small ship’s bell with a rope hung from its My Lord’s throne. Frank: My friend, we must confess. attention of all. He is wearing a college letter sweater clapper. He rings it whenever a drink is ordered — a Oh redeem us now from a captive world. Elmer: She blabbed. She must have blabbed. with a large “T” on the front. Frank Shallard is sitting signature of the establishment.) A sword, a sword, a two-edge sword; Frank, Lulu: Reveal the truth; Cuttin’ sin both left and right. Elmer: I don’t care anymore.

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Frank, Lulu: Mend what is torn; Jesus Himself did choose this lot, • 1927 • 1988 Elmer: I’m not made for a boring life. A suffering servant He. SINCLAIR LEWIS PUBLISHES ELMER GANTRY. In the Iowa Presidential caucus, televangelist Pat Robertson Frank, Lulu: Return to us. Elmer (simultaneously): • 1947 finishes second. Elmer: I’ve got plans. I’m movin’ on. Recit., Aria After years of declining popularity in the 30s and 40s, • 1989 Chorus (off-stage): Made Himself humble for the world. Of course, I mean nothing to her. revivalism is launched again by Pentecostal preachers Oral Jim Bakker, head of PTL (Praise the Lord) Ministries, is Sharon (off-stage): Remember that as I leave you “Catch a train.” Roberts, A.A. Allen and Jack Coe. convicted of defrauding his followers of $158 million - the tonight. Some jerk in a town she’s leaving. • 1950-1960 largest case of mail fraud in U.S. history. He is sentenced to 45 (Sharon appears at the tent entrance, wearing an “Never lied.” A.A. Allen holds interracial revivals in Little Rock and Atlanta, years in prison. overcoat and accompanied by several revival workers. Kicked out of school... hotbeds of segregationism. He publicly pledges to uphold • 1991 She stops to observe the scene between Elmer, Lulu, Now what? integration in his services. Jimmy Swaggart is stopped for traffic violations in California. and Frank.) My foot! • 1956 A prostitute is with him in the car. He later announces he will Frank, Lulu: Return. (They exit.) (This last line he has shouted after her. The crowd has Evangelist Jack Coe is arrested for practicing medicine without step down from the directorship of his worldwide ministries. Elmer: I’ve got plans. I’m movin’ on. left. The lights of the tent are turned off. Elmer will be a license. During a service, he had urged a woman to remove • 2001 Oh, Sister Falconer... alone in the moonlight.) the leg braces from her polio-stricken son, thus causing the boy On Pat Robertson’s “700 Club” telecast two days after the Accept this praise from a fellow minister: I’ll show you. irreparable physical damage. Coe is acquitted, but dies ten September 11 attacks, Rev. Jerry Falwell says God may have You sing beautifully. “Where’s your church?” months later. allowed the attacks because of the country’s moral decay. You preach flawlessly. I’ll see you again. • 1968 Addressing the ACLU, abortionists, feminists and gays, he says, I wondered, might you have a job for me? I’ll catch up with you, Sister-so-pure! Oral Roberts stuns evangelicals by accepting the stewardship “You helped this happen.” He apologizes a few days later. Sharon: Tell me, Brother… Damn you! Damn You! of an Oklahoma Methodist church. He begins massive • 2004 Elmer: Reverend Gantry! Elmer Gantry. You’re not the only one with holy thoughts! campaigns to build a university and medical center in Tulsa. A film, “George W. Bush: Faith in the White House,” which Sharon: Tell me, Brother, where’s your Church? I’ve had them! Over the next twenty years he will repeatedly claim that God is recounts the Blessitt conversion experience, is released on Elmer: My church? My church is with you, Sister. I There’s still something pure in me. going to “call him back” if he doesn’t meet fundraising goals. DVD and shown at off-the-floor events at the Republican know my Bible; I can preach up a storm. I’ll show you one day! • 1975 National Convention. Eventually, Bush carries 78% of the For instance: “What is Love...?” She wouldn’t look, barely looked at me. In the aftermath of two deaths at a Holiness church in Newport, white evangelical vote (up from 68% in 2000). Sharon (interrupting): Brother, have you behaved in a Why, what is it? — my clothes? Tennessee, the ACLU represents the church in an unsuccessful • 2006 loving way to your girlfriend? Is my suit-coat too cheap? Are the elbows worn down? challenge to the state’s law prohibiting snake-handling. Ted Haggard (‘Pastor Ted’), leader of the National Association Elmer: Girlfriend? She’s not my... Anybody got any objection to my clothes? • 1984 of Evangelicals, is alleged by male prostitute Mike Jones to Sharon: Brother, I caution you against lying. (He rips off his jacket and throws it to the ground) In a private prayer meeting, Evangelist Arthur Blessitt, famous have paid him for sex and bought methamphetamine over the Elmer: Now Sister Falconer, I have never... Is this “splendid”? Is this “splendid”, damn you? Is this for having carried a 12-foot cross around the world, helps course of a 3-year relationship. Haggard receives three weeks Sharon: Never lied? That’s splendid. You have my “splendid”? future President George W. Bush to accept Jesus. Blessitt’s of pastoral counseling and emerges ‘completely heterosexual.’ blessing, Brother. (Overcome by a revelation, he is suddenly quiet.) diary entry for April 4 says, “Led Vice President Bush’s son to However, the public uproar continues and Haggard resigns. (To all): Goodbye, friends. Oh dear God. Jesus today. This is great! Glory to God.” (To him): Please excuse me; I must catch a train. (She She is the sign to me. • 1988 By Herschel Garfein. Sources: Bernard A. Weisberger, They leaves with her assistants.) She the signal-lamp and the path shining for me. Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, rumored to be visiting prostitutes, Gathered at the River (Little, Brown, 1958); (The crowd leaves, streaming out from all exits of the In that woman’s face, You turned Your face to me. tearfully confesses to unspecified sins on national TV. The Patsy Sims, Can Somebody Shout Amen? (St. Martin’s, 1988); tent and singing the last verse of the hymn. The And her scorn for me was not hers alone. Assemblies of God order him not to preach for one year. The New York Times; MSNBC; The Pew Resource Center. vendors begin to pack up their wares. A few workers It was Yours — Your attack, Your grab at my soul. remain to close the tent, shut down the generator, etc. She was Your knife that opened me down to the bone. Oblivious to the scene around him, Elmer fumes over Now pour Your words in at the gaping hole. his treatment by Sharon.) There! Yes! There! There! Chorus (exiting): Vessels abounding, trust complete, God sings, He howls words in my brain. Faith such that all may see; They blaze, flaming tongues in the nighttime air,

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A Timeline of American Revivalism riders” (traveling frontier preachers), the Methodist Church Saying: “Never the same. Never the same again, Elmer What sensual pageants they serve the unwitting! grows from 15,000 to 850,000 souls. The Methodist ministers Gantry, What feverish rites they encourage as fitting! • 1734 stress dramatic, personal conversion. Rev. Peter Cartwright Never the same again.” These sideshow figures and carnival kinds A religious fervor begins to sweep the town of Northampton, tells of being struck down by a flash of divine light; when Blackout Must blithely imagine we’re out of our minds. Massachusetts. Sinners are converted by the hundreds under “convicted,” Rev. James B. Finley spends a week in a hollow To line their own pockets, they ask for our trust; the ministry of Rev. Jonathan Edwards. He details the log, weeping and reading the Bible. 5 Act I, Scene 5 I submit that this woman of hucksters is just — occurrences in A Faithful Narrative of the Surprizing Works of • 1856-1861 The Elks Lodge meeting room, Zenith, Missouri. 1911. — a more graceful exemplum. God (1737), one of the seminal works of the Great Awakening. Boston shoe salesman Dwight L. Moody moves to Chicago to (As the curtain rises, Sharon Falconer is standing at an I ask that you soundly reject her proposal. • 1743 make his fortune. He spends his free time as a YMCA upstage podium concluding a fiery address to the (The Elks applaud warmly as Baines takes his seat and In response to Edwards and his disciples, the annual organizer, until his fame as a preacher allows him to give up members of the Lodge, who sit ringing the stage facing T.J. returns to the podium.) convention of Massachusetts Congregational ministers issues a business. He unites with singer/composer Ira Sankey (who her. They wear business suits and headgear topped with Recitative condemnation of practices which lead to “disorderly tumults.” coined the term “gospel music”). They are the first great urban antlers, as befits their order. The Elks Lodge is a T.J.: A corking good speech, chock-full of vocabulary • 1750 revivalists. They use publicity, advertising and organizational masculine shrine, all dark woods, brass and leather. Rev. and pep, by a very Regular Guy. Edwards, attempting to instate open confession (one of the planning to conduct successful revivals throughout the U.S. Baines sits in a chair near the podium.) Nit? hallmarks of the Great Awakening), is fired from his church in and England (where in one tour they are heard by 1.5 million Recitative and Arietta Elks: Hummina hummina. Northampton. He turns to theological writing. people). Sharon: And God said, “Build me a tabernacle!” T.J. (Gavelling): Let us vote. (As fast as possible): In • 1780-1800 • 1889 (As she returns to her empty seat near Baines, the Elks the matter of whether the benevolent order shall support These years see the publication of several central works of Mariah Woodworth-Etter, first of the famous woman applaud without enthusiasm. Baines does not applaud and further the plans of Miss Sharon Falconer to American deism, a humanistic philosophy espousing faith revivalists, arrives to preach in Oakland, CA. At the height of at all. T.J. Rigg, the head Elk, rises, goes to the build a grand tabernacle in ZENITH one year from based on reason: Ethan Allen’s Reason the Only Oracle of her popularity, she speaks to racially mixed crowds of 2,500. podium, recites the ritual invocation.) now. And whether the order shall advance MONIES Man, Thomas Paine’s The Rights of Man. Deism is condemned Her husband cranks an ice-cream freezer at the refreshment T.J.: Alces, alces, Benny Voley. and organize civic events to promote said tabernacle. by the clergy, embraced by the intelligentsia, including stand, 50 feet from the pulpit. Elks: Aaah - WEEEEE - Oh. (Pause) All opposed say nay. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. • 1890 T.J.: Accepti this orati meo. Elks: Nay. • 1782 Etter holds weekly street parades to trumpet her prediction of Elks: Say now what you mean to say-o. T.J.: All in favor, yea. (There is silence, but before T.J. A survey at Princeton University, a bastion of the Presbyterian an earthquake and tidal wave to strike the city on April 14. The T.J.: A big red-blooded thank you to Sister Falconer can gavel, Elmer, who has been sitting ministry, finds only two professed Christians in the student date passes uneventfully. Etter flees Oakland the next day. Her for her interesting proposal. And now with a different with his back to the audience in a row of Elks, rises.) body. chief civic supporters are sent to an insane asylum. view we’ll hear from the Reverend Arthur Baines, Elmer: Will the brothers recognize me? • 1798 • 1891 president of our dandy Terwillinger College and Elks: Hummina hummina. The Presbyterian minister James MacGready of North Carolina Chicago outfielder Billy Sunday gives up baseball to begin Seminary in nearby Cato ... T.J. (As Elmer moves to the podium): Brother Gantry, moves to Kentucky to begin a frontier mission. Over the next spreading the word of God. Twenty years later “the baseball T.J., Elks: Mis - sou - RAA - ah. [“Missouri”] junior vice-president of the Pequot Farm Company. two years at his Red River church, the Great (or Western) preacher,” famous for “sliding in” to the altar, will be T.J.: Yes, and a real go-ahead He-man of the cloth he Elmer: Alces, alces, Benny Voley. Revival begins. preaching in New York in a tabernacle of 16,000 seats, with is. Welcome, booster Baines. Elks: Aaah - WEEEEE - Oh. • 1801 the Astors and Rockefellers in attendance. Elks: Hummina hummina hummina. Elmer: Accepti this orati meo. On August 6th, the first camp meeting (precursor of the tent • 1901, 1906 (Baines rises to the podium. He has aged since we last Elks: Say now what you mean to say-o. meeting) takes place, at Cane Ridge, KY. It lasts three days; During revivals in Topeka, Kansas, and Los Angeles, saw him, and his manner has become even fustier – if Elmer (Chiding): Gentlemen, gentlemen. Miss F. has 20,000 are said to attend. Some witnesses record that liquor California, congregants speak in tongues. The modern that is possible.) told us the kind of joyful business story we should love was in abundant use and many virgins were undone. Pentecostal movement begins. Baines: Mmm. Thank you. With all due respect to our to hear. (He takes some documents from her.) Look • 1809 • 1926 last charming speaker: here. She shows “contributed income from civic The Presbyterian Church disciplines MacGready and distances Evangelist Aimee Semple MacPherson “disappears,” the How well we know these revivalist clowns sources – 2,620 dollars.” Look a little further. “Fully itself from revivalism. purported victim of kidnappers. When she reappears in Los Whose gaudy tents disfigure our towns! validated permanent conversions – 9,415.” My friends • 1785-1840 Angeles, 100,000 people line the streets to greet her rose- They gull the guileless, they fleece our flocks, now that’s 25 cents per errant sinner. Sounds to me like Through its embrace of revivalism, and the labors of its “circuit draped car. They dun the dumbest, and the Devil mocks. something we love...

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Elmer, Elks: Bu - LAAAACK Iiink! [“Black ink”] T.J.: With a better tax base! Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Elmer: Four souls to the dollar, lent to the Lord as Elks: — than the Zip Zip Zip City. collateral on the well-balanced Christian go-ahead Blackout future of our city... Elmer, Elks: Zip zip Zenith. 6 Act I, Scene 6 Elmer: What Bolsheviki cheapskate won’t lend to the Six months later. The study in the home of Rev. Edward Lord at that rate of return? and Mrs. Lulu Fislinger. For lending is Charity, Charity Love, and... (It is late afternoon. Eddie should be preparing his What is Love? week’s sermon. Instead, he is browsing through the It is the builder of every home. newspaper, drinking tea. Lulu calls to him from a Elks: Hummina. distant room.) Photo: Todd Daquisto Elmer: It is the paver of every highway. Lulu: Sweetheart? (Pause) Eddie? What are you doing? Elks: Hummina hummina. Eddie (Not loud enough for her to possibly hear him): In 52 years, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has forged its own path, gaining respect artistically and serving its Elmer: The improver of every vacant lot. Working on my sermon. community. In addition to performing with the MSO and accompanying the Florentine Opera Company, our Elks: Hummina hummina hummina. Lulu (Closer): Eddie? (A moment later, there is a light musicians provide a strong professional core within Milwaukee’s arts community. The MSO has been a pioneer in Elmer: Can we vote again? knock and she enters.) Sweetheart...? new music, digital media, and arts education. Under the leadership of Music Director Edo de Waart, the MSO T.J. (Rising): All opposed nay. Eddie (Not acknowledging her): Working on my sermon. continues to thrive as a cornerstone organization among Wisconsin’s cultural assets. A few Elks: Nay. Lulu: Oh, my precious man. (She hugs him, evoking T.J.: All in favor, yea. little response.) I’m going out for a while. (Pause, then William Boggs Elks: Yea! as a goodbye): Sweetheart. T.J. (Gavelling): Motion passes. Thank you to our (When she has left he begins absent-mindedly to William Boggs, Artistic Director of Opera Columbus, has led some of his company’s guests. (To the Elks): O.K., you wombats! Let’s get formulate his sermon while still perusing the paper.) greatest successes. As the former General Director of Columbus Light Opera, where he together on the Zenith Booster Song. received tenure, he produced over 200 performances of the works of Strauss, Lehár, Choral Song Aria Offenbach, Gilbert and Sullivan, Friml, Romberg, and Herbert. He also served as Music T.J., Elks: Here is the song we love the best: Eddie: What is Love? It is the ... Director of the Welsh Hills Symphony Orchestra, the third conductor in its 60-year Pointing with pride to our S-U-C-C-E-S-S, What is Love? history. As an orchestral guest conductor he has appeared with the Columbus Pointing with pride to the way we get things done, What, my brethren, is Love? Symphony, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Ignoring the cries of the “R-U kidding?” pessimists, It is the Eveni... the Morning and the Evening star, Louisville Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Mexico. We are the guys who never walk when they can run. It shines upon the cradle of the babe, Oh we zoom zoom for Zenith, our zip zip city. And casts its radiance upon the quiet tomb. Make room for Zenith, with zeal, zap and zowie! (He becomes distracted by the newspaper) Zinovievsk and Zanzibar and Zurich may be twee, It is the air and ... and the light of... every heart... But you’ll never find a zingier place than the zip zip city. (reading): “A grand outpouring of the spirit is expected Zoom zoom zip zip (etc.) again in Paris County when Sister Sharon Falconer (They continue to sing. Sharon, preparing to leave, goes returns for an uplifting week of Christian revival. Assisted up to Elmer. The Reverend Baines looks on coldly.) by the Reverend Mr. Elmer Gantry, Sister Sharon has Baines: The Gantrys of the world sustain the Falconers. announced that all offerings to her mission will go That is a boost that no one needs. (Repeat) towards construction of a grand tabernacle in Zenith, Elks: You could zig-zag your zeppelin across the Missouri for the glory of God...” (He flings the paper Zuiderzee, down.) ‘Grand’ tabernacle... the ‘Reverend’ Mr. Gantry... But you’ll never find a zingier place — (laughing): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. A cleaner place, a friendlier place, a pleasanter place — You do test your servants. Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

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Florentine Opera Chorus You surely test your servants, Lord. Ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. You do test your servants. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. The Florentine Opera Chorus was founded by John D. Anello in 1933 in the heart of (Trying to put thoughts of Elmer behind him, he You surely test your servants, Lord. Milwaukee’s vibrant Third Ward immigrant community. Scott S. Stewart has acted as the resumes his sermon): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Chorus-master and Associate Conductor of the Florentine Opera Company since 1977. With What is Love? Blackout a wide and varied repertoire, more than fifty artists comprise the Florentine Opera Chorus It is the Morning and the Evening star, End of Act I each season, performing in all mainstage productions, as well as education and community It shines upon the cradle of the swindler bully! babe, outreach programs around the community. And casts its radiance upon the quiet vermin lickspittle CD 2 rutting lecherous ape! It is the air and the bastard! light of every heart; 2 Act II, Scene 1 Dear Lord, may it be Thy will to crush Elmer Gantry Sharon’s suite of rooms, The Antlers Hotel, Lincoln, Scott Stewart utterly! Nebraska. Summer, 1912. Photo: Lindsey Denil Turn him to dung! (The living room has one door, u.s., connecting to Let dogs eat him in the street for the sake of Thy great Sharon’s bedroom and another, s.l., leading into the name. hotel hallway. The room is elegantly furnished — Florentine Opera Company (laughing): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. obviously the best which the town has to offer — and You do test your servants. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. You filled with a profusion of flowers standing in vases. It is The Florentine Opera Company’s productions reflect the highest musical and theatrical standards, while supporting surely test your servants, Lord. late evening; the room is empty. Elmer knocks on the community and educational programs. As a leader in Wisconsin’s art community, a nationally respected regional Ha ha ha ha ha. door, opens it a crack, peers around, then enters force, and the nation’s sixth oldest opera company, the Florentine Opera Company has established itself during its Gantry... Love .... Love... Gantry; bearing a huge tray with a silver cover. A sheaf of 78-season history, as a significant presence in the cultural, educational and civic life of the state of Wisconsin and They should never share a sentence. papers is tucked under his arm.) beyond. Audiences enjoy beautiful mainstage productions that include first-rate vocal artistry brought to life by Love is what I offered. Duet established and emerging local, national and international opera stars. With a foundation of fiscal responsibility, the Love he repaid with villainy. Elmer: Knock, knock. Here I am with the goods. All company continues to grow its artistic and educational programs, with a focus on presenting new works, most I’ll show him grimmer stuff. the figures from tonight and the week to date. recently including the Midwest première of Elmer Gantry and the world première of Don Davis’s opera Río de Love can’t endure all things; Sharon (From the other room) Elmer, I’m blind tired. Sangre. Through its outreach and in-school educational programming, the Florentine provides vital arts education Rage is now my portion. Can’t it wait? Can’t it wait? experiences for children, nurtures new audiences, and expands cultural horizons for the next generation. Over Eddie... Rage .... Rage... Eddie. Elmer: Grand Tabernacle offerings — take a guess. 18,000 people in Southeastern Wisconsin are served every year through the Florentine’s education and community (He launches into his sermon again with gleeful malice): Two-oh-nine. And freewill, fiftyeight. enrichment programs. Additional information, tickets and more can be found at www.florentineopera.org. What is Rage? Just relax, put your feet up. What is Rage? Sharon: Elmer, really... (As she enters, tying on a What, my brethren, is Rage? dressing gown.) It is the waking and the dreaming thought, Elmer: I predict eight-fifty clear. It shines upon the happy home of Eddie and his wife, Sharon: That’s wonderful. I must say goodnight. And casts its radiance on every mention of that otiose Elmer: Ta-dah… sandwiches! (Flourishing the tray cover.) backstabbing pustulent toad! Sharon: Aren’t you a dear? It is the blood and bloody sinew of my heart. (Pause. She eats a sandwich hungrily. He sits, Dear Lord, may it be Thy will to crush Elmer Gantry preparing for a business meeting.) utterly! Elmer: Oh! The hymns for tomorrow. Let’s see... (He Burn his tent! Kill his whore! consults his notes.) Let the stink of his corpse rise at Your trumpet blast! Sharon: Let’s not. (laughing): Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Oh dear me, ha ha, what Elmer: First ‘Follow On’, then ‘Sunrise’, then ‘Verily’ am I saying? sung by the kid...

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Sharon: Very good. Elmer: Those pillows... Vale Rideout Elmer: Skipping ‘He is Mine’, adding ‘Just in Time’ Sharon: They’re perfect. after ‘Hold the Line’ — did I mention ‘Sunrise’? Elmer: I could fluff ‘em. Vale Rideout has sung with Chicago Opera Theater, Nashville Opera, Pacific Opera Sharon: You did. Sharon: Not worth it. Victoria, Castleton Festival Opera, Central City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and (Pause. She makes an obvious move to the door. He Elmer: The heat! Boston Lyric Opera in rôles such as Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw, Edgardo in follows.) Sharon: ...is hot. Lucia di Lammermoor, and Alfredo in Die Fledermaus. He has performed Britten’s Elmer: Sharon...? Elmer: Too hot! War Requiem with the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic (both Sharon: Goodnight, Elmer. Sharon: No, it’s not. with Lorin Maazel), and the world première of Stucky’s August 4, 1964 with the Dallas Elmer: Goodnight. (Brief pause; not leaving.) Elmer: No, it’s chilly. Photo: Kevin Fox Symphony Orchestra. Sharon...? Do you like me? Sharon: No, it’s right. Sharon: Yes. Elmer: Don’t be silly... Elmer: How much? Sharon: Say goodnight. Frank Kelley Sharon: Not very much. I can’t like anyone very much. (She has him firmly by the arm, leading him to the door. Elmer: You could get to like me, though. He complies; but with his free arm he seizes a Bible The versatile American tenor Frank Kelley has performed in concert and opera throughout Sharon: It is possible. Good night. from the sideboard.) North America and Europe. He is a regular at Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Boston and Elmer: Sleep tight. I’ll go. (Pause.) Sharon...? Can I Elmer: Oh, Sharon, one last question; I know it’s late... Florentine Opera, and has sung at Opera Theatre of St. Louis (world-première of The Golden stay and chat? Sharon (Singsong): Goodnight. Ticket), Wexford Festival Opera, Opéra de Lyon, Monte Carlo Opera and with such Sharon: You could answer that. Now please. Your Elmer: But I’m puzzled by Matthew: twenty eight. orchestras as the Boston Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, National Symphony and National room is down the hall. (Pause.) ...I know; goodnight. Ars Centre Orchestra. He has recorded for Teldec, Harmonia Mundi and Erato. Elmer: I could tuck you in. Sharon: Goodnight, Elmer. Sharon: You’ve been very good. Try to keep it up. (He leaves. She shuts the door behind him and turns Elmer: Can’t I get you anything? toward her bedroom. Then he bursts back in through Sharon: Not at all! the door. She gives a scream of surprise.) (A moment’s pause of indecision. Then he makes to Recit. and Duet leave.) Elmer: No! I won’t go. Let me tell you the truth! Elmer: Well, alright then. Well, goodnight then. You’ve made me crazy for you. Do you hear every word? (Suddenly rapturous, he races to the window): Except for my mother, you’re the only woman I’ve ever Heather Buck And what a thrilling night it is! adored. The moon full and a fierce wind blowing! I love you! Hear me. Heather Buck’s international credits include leading rôles with Gran Teatre del Liceu A perfect night for romance... Oh Sharon! Sharon, you’ve changed me. (Barcelona) and London’s Almeida Theatre. Highlights include Queen of the Night in Die Sharon (Sweetly): Elmer, weren’t you going? Half-baked; that’s what I was. Zauberflöte (Santa Fe Opera; also English National Opera); Olympia in Les contes Elmer: Oh, of course. Sweet dreams, if you’re sure And just too stupid to know it. d’Hoffmann (De Vlaamse Opera); the title rôle in Wuorinen’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories there’s nothing more. Until you came to show me — how can I say it? — you (New York City Opera); Angel in Dusapin’s Faustus, the Last Night (Concertgebouw); Sharon: I am sure. Thanks for asking. (Pause.) ... The showed me my soul. Wolfgang Rihm’s monodrama Proserpina (Spoleto Festival USA); and Mahler’s Symphony door...? Yeah, my soul. My poor, dingy soul. No. 2 (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing). (She accompanies him to the door. At the last moment, My soul sound asleep ’til you woke it. he breaks away and begins a vigorous inspection of the In a silence undisturbed ’til you broke it. room.) Now you — so achingly pure — Photo: Christian Steiner Elmer: Gosh, your flowers... Chance to look in my eyes and I’m sure, Sharon: Thriving. I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to rush from me. Elmer: Where’s your wardrobe? Oh had I wings, Sharon. Sharon: Arriving. Oh had I wings I would fly to you.

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Herschel Garfein Sharon: And be at rest? Sharon: I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to Elmer: That’s right. And be at rest. rush from me... Herschel Garfein is active as a composer, librettist and director. He is the composer and Sharon: No rest for me. There’s none for me, Elmer. Elmer: He’ll sanctify me that I may give my life to librettist of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, a new opera based on Tom Stoppard’s For I am given to the Lord. you... play. His other libretti include Parables for Robert Aldridge, and Alzheimer’s Stories and Devotion binds me by a silver cord. Sharon: My fondest hope, my fondest hope... Edison Invents, for Robert S. Cohen. Work as a composer includes the dance triptych And I — whether cursed or blessed — Elmer: Oh had I wings, oh had I wings... Mythologies, American Steel, Places to Live, a String Quartet, and the music/theater piece I can’t be hurried or pressed, Sharon: Is to serve Him... to serve Him... with a perfect Sueños. He has received awards and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, I am I! I’ll decide when the Lord wants you to come to me. heart the Massachusetts Artists Foundation, the Jerome Foundation, the National Institute for (In her fury, she has overturned a chair. She rights it Elmer: ... I would fly to you... as God requires... we Opera/Music Theater, and the MacDowell Colony. He teaches Music Composition and now, regaining her composure.) can both submit... lectures in Script Analysis at the Steinhardt School, New York University. I’m different. I’m not like your other women. Sharon: with a perfect heart... to serve Him... to serve My kiss could be simple homespun, Him Or a terribly passionate one; Elmer: with perfect hearts... each to the other... both to And God, in an act of grace, Him Will all sin from that kiss erase. Sharon: ... ever. Keith Phares He sanctifies me that I may give my life to Him. Elmer: ... both to Him. My fondest hope, Elmer, Elmer: And be at rest? (Pause. They kiss.) Noted by the press for his commanding stage presence, vocal authority, and warm baritone My fondest hope is to serve him ever. Sharon: That’s right. And be at rest. voice, Keith Phares is acclaimed both on the opera and concert stage as one of today’s most Elmer: With a perfect heart? Slow Fade versatile artists. He has appeared in leading rôles with the San Francisco Opera, the Sharon: That’s right. With a perfect heart. Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Elmer: As God requires... 3 Act II, Scene 2 Chicago, and Santa Fe Opera, and has performed in concert with the New York Sharon: Yes. A perfect heart. Six months later. The site of The Waters of Jordan Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Elmer: As God requires, we can both submit. Tabernacle, Zenith, Missouri. I to you, you to Him. (A revival worker (in uniform) is acting as a Tour (The following pairs of lines are sung simultaneously): Guide, leading a group of tourists through the Sharon: He sanctifies me that I may give my life to construction site. This group includes Rev. Baines and Him. Mrs. Baines, Eddie, and Lulu who will later sing as Photo: Nick Granito Elmer: Oh had I wings, Sharon. ‘Quartet 2.’ Meanwhile, a group of female revival Elmer: I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to workers is marching on and off-stage, practicing drills. Patricia Risley rush from me. Frank Shallard stands to one side, observing.) Sharon: My fondest hope, Elmer. Choral Scene Mezzo-soprano Patricia Risley’s operatic performances encompass leading rôles in works of Sharon: My fondest hope... is to serve Him... with a Women (Spoken, from off-stage): Left, left; left, right, Mozart, Rossini, Handel, Gounod, Monteverdi, Strauss, Haydn, and Purcell with companies perfect heart. left. (Repeat, fading out.) worldwide including those in New York City, Chicago, Madrid, Berlin, Houston, Santa Fe, Elmer: ... As God requires... Oh Sharon... we can both Tour Guide (Spoken): This way please. (Sung): And Innsbruck, Salt Lake City, Palm Beach, and Denver as well as performances in submit... I to you, God ordered Sister Sharon to take over the old Opera contemporary repertoire including world premières and recent works of Bolcom, Pasatieri, Sharon: ... with a perfect heart... to serve Him ever. House of Zenith and on this site – quickly, please – to Adès, Machover, Harbison, and Dove. Additionally, she has joined the New York Elmer: you to Him... with perfect hearts... each to the build a Grand Tabernacle. Directly behind us, up there, Philharmonic, Boston Baroque, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival, other, both to Him. will rise a magnificent cross of a thousand electric lights! and Oregon Symphony as a concert soloist. Sharon: He sanctifies me that I may give my life to (She hustles the group of tourists – including Quartet 2 Him... – off-stage as a group of female revival workers enters Elmer: I feel my soul strain at its shackles, trying to from off-stage, led by Elmer. They are dressed in Photo: Kristin Hoebermann rush from me... uniforms, and they enter marching in ranks. Elmer

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Synopsis the grip of a true conversion. In a state of agonized Sharon: “I have seen thy patience.” Sodom, their grapes are gall. delirium, he hears these words over and over: “Never T.J.: ... And we’ll indemnify it. The old-time Hell will swallow them all. CD 1 the same again.” Elmer: Thatsa lot of mazuma. They’re the moneychangers and Pharisees of whom Sharon: “I have heard thy prayers.” Jesus said, Act I 5 Scene 5: The Elks Lodge Meeting Room, Zenith, T.J.: ... And we’ll publicize it. “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” Missouri, 1911. Frank (To Elmer): Don’t get carried away, old pal. Eddie and Qt. 2: We have to save the gospel from 1 Scene 1: The Old Home Sample Room, Cato, Sharon Falconer appears before the Elks Lodge of Zenith. People trust you. hypocrites, keep it in our care. Missouri, 1905. She attempts to enlist the aid of the city’s elders in Elmer: Thatsa lot of mazuma. Be not prey to Satan’s ruse, fall not in his snare. Elmer Gantry, captain of the Terwillinger College realizing her dream: to build a grand tabernacle in their Sharon: “I will make thee to walk upon high places.” Lulu (aside, regarding Sharon and Elmer): Look at football team, and his roommate Frank Shallard are city. Elmer, now a successful businessman, intervenes on T.J.: We will beautify it and advertise it. that hussy returning his stare! getting drunk in a local bar. Elmer regales the patrons her behalf. The Elks sing in celebration of civic pride. Frank: Don’t get carried away. Elmer: We have to pitch the gospel in magazines, print with stories of his sexual exploits. A bully picks a fight Reporter (Spoken): Mr. Gantry, what do you say to it up in Braille, with him, saying he attends a “sissy bible school.” Elmer 6 Scene 6: The Pastor’s Study in the home of Eddie those critics who fear that this tabernacle will Send it out in catalogs that offer it by mail. sucker punches him. The barroom erupts in chaos. and Lulu Fislinger, Cato, Missouri, 1912. commercialize the Christian faith? Frank (aside): But it goes down in worth when it goes There is an undercurrent of tension in the home of the Rev. Eddie (a soft aside): Amen. up for sale. 2 Scene 2: The President’s Office, Terwillinger Eddie and Mrs. Lulu Fislinger. Eddie has begun preparing Elmer: I don’t say anything. Jesus said it a whole lot Qt. 2: Their wine is from the vine of Sodom, (etc.) College and Seminary, the next day. his Sunday sermon when he pauses over a newspaper story better than I can. Truly... Frank: “Stand still,” the prophet said. “Stand still Elmer is called in to a prayer meeting by the college about the proposed building of Sharon and Elmer’s (Elmer, Sharon, Frank and T.J. sing as Quartet 1.) And see salvation from the Lord.” president, Rev. Baines. Captivated by the president’s tabernacle. When he resumes his sermon, his hatred and Octet If there’s truth to being saved, pretty daughter, Lulu; enticed by the promise of a full envy of Elmer infect his theme of Christian Love. Elmer: New wine has to go in new bottles, not in old. I’m sure it’s a quiet working, a private urging, scholarship to the seminary; and cajoled by Eddie Modern life affects the way the story’s told. And our meddling’s in the way. Fislinger, head of the campus YMCA, Elmer fakes a CD 2 Times must change, and that’s why Jesus said, Lulu (aside): What are they doing at night, if they’re so conversion, to the chagrin of his roommate Frank. The “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” lovey-dovey by day? scene ends amid a chorus of Hallelujahs. Act II Sharon: We will shout the gospel to the deaf, dance it Qt. 1: We will shout the gospel to the deaf, dance it for for the dim. the dim. 3 Scene 3: A field on the outskirts of Grauten, 2 Scene 1: Sharon’s suite, The Antlers Hotel, Be a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. Be a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. Missouri, 1906. Lincoln, Nebraska, 1912. Elmer: We have to light the gospel in electric lights, Qt. 2: If we hold the gospel unsullied and pristine, Now in seminary, Elmer Gantry makes unauthorized use Working as business manager within Sharon’s ministry, speed it out on trains, The world will know those everlasting arms on which of his newfound oratorical skills by selling farm tools in a Elmer has helped her to become ever more successful. Sing it on the radio, drop it out of planes. to lean. nearby town. He is also having a surreptitious affair with One night, he confesses the depth of his love for her; she Frank (aside): He’s losing his bearings while counting Lulu (aside): They’re prancing around like the king and Lulu, despite her engagement to Eddie. He promises to responds by proclaiming the depth of her religious his gains. the queen. meet Lulu that night, but then decides to go to a tent revival calling. They reach a passionate understanding. Qt. 1: New wine has to go in new bottles, not in old. All: New wine / Their wine (etc.) held by the famous traveling evangelist, Sharon Falconer. Modern life affects the way the story’s told. All: Stand still, stand still and see salvation from the Lord. 3 Scene 2: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle Times must change, and that’s why Jesus said, We have to sing the gospel, shout the gospel, save the 4 Scene 4: Outside Sharon Falconer’s revival tent, construction site, Zenith, Missouri, 1913. “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” gospel, keep the gospel, Sautersville, Kansas, later that evening. Sharon’s grand tabernacle is being built under Elmer’s (Eddie, Lulu, Rev. Baines and Mrs Baines sing as hold and protect the gospel, dance the gospel, light the Elmer watches in awe as Sharon Falconer leads her tent supervision. Frank, now a minister in Zenith, pays a Quartet 2.) gospel, speed the gospel, meeting. Lulu arrives with Frank to warn Elmer that he visit. Eddie, Lulu, and Rev and Mrs. Baines tour the site Qt. 2: Here we are, sheep in the midst of wolves. pitch the gospel, print the gospel, send the gospel. is about to be expelled from seminary. Angry and and privately express their displeasure with Let’s be wise as serpents, harmless as doves. TRULY... defiant, he chases her away only to be treated with cool commercialized religion. The eight principal characters All: New wine has to go in new bottles, not in old. Frank (under): If there’s truth to being saved, I’m sure indifference by the departing Sharon. Elmer is left alone sing an octet in which they debate the merits of the old- (etc.) it’s a quiet working! to rail against the world. He suddenly feels himself in time religion versus the new. Baines and Eddie: Their wine is from the vine of Qt. 1: New wine has to go in new bottles (etc.)

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Qt. 2: Their wine is from the vine of Sodom (etc.) What a privilege to carry schoolchild. What may be surprising is that religious worshippers. The conversion was the climax of the Qt. 1: Times must change. Times must change. (etc.) Ev’rything to God in prayer.” conflict began among the Pilgrims as early as the 1660s. popular outdoor camp meeting or revivals that Qt. 2: Moneychangers and Pharisees; moneychangers Is belief a gift? In the next decades, religious enthusiasm began to characterized the Second Great Awakening during the and Pharisees. (etc.) How is conviction earned? decline. New England clergy responded by adopting an mid-nineteenth century. Gradually, these revivals All: Times must change, must change, must change; Fresh, boundless and unwavering faith — emotional style of preaching known as the jeremiad, became complex, highly-orchestrated events sometimes And that’s why Jesus said, Can that be learned? influenced by the prophecies of Jeremiah with its lasting several days. He said, “Your old bottles cannot hold this wine.” (etc.) I have craved belief. emphasis on joy, fervor, and anxiety about displeasing The modern crisis of faith – one that many believe (The female revival workers march across the stage.) Lasting conviction I have sought. God. Also around this time, the Puritans lost political is still with us – came about by the end of the nineteenth Women: We are soldiers fighting on the front line, Yet doubts have flooded my heart, control of their territory to the British. In 1692, the century. A combination of factors led to an intellectual We are sailors throwing out the lifeline, Casting conviction out. Salem witch trials showed how extreme religious reaction against revivalism: Darwinism, increasing We are umpires spotting from the sideline, Days I put to useful purpose, anxiety had become. John Winthrop’s vision of a city of awareness of non-Christian faiths, and higher biblical If we come through, everything will go fine. Nights are hard to bear. a hill had faded remarkably quickly. criticism that aimed to analyze the Bible not as the All: “Old bottles cannot hold this wine.” For then, their singing comes to haunt me, British influence in New England helped liberalize divinely-inspired word of God but as an ancient artifact. Blackout Mocking me in all I do; society by bringing in European Enlightenment ideas. In addition, proponents of what became known as Social An old song about their old friend, Jesus — The colonists reacted with the first Great Awakening, an Gospel sought to utilize the Bible to right social wrongs. 4 Act II, Scene 3 Laughable, yet true. anti-intellectual religious movement that occurred By the 1920s, events like the Scopes trial and the That night. The same setting. (At the piano again): “Can we find a friend so faithful? between the 1730s and 1770s. Pastors like George “disappearance” of Sister Aimee seemed to offer proof (Work on the tabernacle has stopped for the night. Who will all our sorrows share? Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards exhorted the faithful of the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of American Ladders and tools remain in view. Frank and Elmer Jesus knows our every weakness...” to remember that they were sinners in the hands of an religion. have cleared space on one of the chorus risers. Around But what if you can’t pray? angry God. The Presbyterian preaching family of Elmer Gantry struck America in a tender spot them are a few papers, two glasses, a half-empty bottle. (He and Elmer regard each other silently as the lights William Tennent and his four sons led colonial religious during a time of doubt. Lewis’s audaciously unflattering On the other side of the stage there is a gaudy white slowly fade to black.) revivals and founded a training seminary. These portrait of the clergy attacked an institution struggling to piano (partially covered) which Frank will play. The preachers used vivid, emotionally-charged sermons to maintain its integrity. In his daring, Lewis had the full two have been talking most of the evening. Elmer listens 5 Act II, Scene 4 remind their listeners of their sacred destiny as support of essayist H. L. Mencken who contended that to Frank, says nothing.) One year later. The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle. Christians. In fact, what we think of as manifest destiny “deep within the heart of every evangelist lies the wreck Frank: Is belief a gift? (As the lights come up, Elmer is heard talking on the or American exceptionalism originated in the jeremiads of a car salesman.” The Sage of Baltimore had praised How is conviction earned? telephone just off-stage. The telephone cord is long of the Great Awakening. both Main Street and Babbitt from his own bully pulpit Aria Fresh, boundless and unwavering faith — enough that he can come a few feet onto the stage while Increasingly, itinerant revivalists began to travel in the pages of the Smart Set, noting ironically that Can that be learned? talking. Beneath the Grand Altar, amid cast-off clothes, around the countryside, preaching outdoors and “[Lewis’s] apprenticeship in the cellars of the tabernacle I have craved belief. a woman is lying with her back to the audience. We gathering converts in large numbers. The fire-and- was not wasted.” Lewis repaid the kindness by Lasting conviction I have sought. become aware that it is Lulu Baines.) brimstone theatrics of these preachers deeply offended dedicating Elmer Gantry to Mencken “in profound Yet doubts have flooded my heart, Canzonetta and Trio the more conservative clergy. The revivalists’ success admiration.” Of course, Lewis being Lewis, he added Casting conviction out. Elmer (off-stage): ... 600 lightbulbs delivered and their disdain for traditional congregational churches the rather disingenuous assertion that “no character in The faith I lack torments me tomorrow ... done! ...200 gardenias... done! ... Me?... presented a serious challenge to church authority. this book is the portrayal of any actual person.” When I hear the faithful sing. nervous?... no, everything’s fine... please don’t call me By the 1820s, evangelical Protestant sects Singing of the friend they have in Jesus, for an hour, I’m at work on my sermon... Bye, dominated religion in the United States. They stressed Leann Davis Alspaugh Eyes closed, rocking to and fro, darling...bye bye. the importance of the conversion experience – religion God’s assurance surrounds them (He enters. To Lulu): through the heart rather than the head. This profound Leann Davis Alspaugh writes about opera, With a comfort I will never know. Got a bedtime story for me? transformation came about through the powerful words literature, and the visual arts. (At the piano, he plays and sings): Lulu: Won’t she tell you any? of a preacher and the collective enthusiasm of fellow “What a friend we have in Jesus, Elmer: Sharon’s kinda high and mighty. You still All our sins and griefs to bear. understand ole Elmer.

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opera – Elmer Gantry has demonstrated that a “The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be Lulu: Sure I do. (The phone rings.) Elmer (off-stage): Sounds good... successful and important opera does not have to have its happy.”) One of the greatest blows to religion in Elmer (Nervously): Oops. Stay right there. Eddie: You naughty girl. première on either of the coasts. I am very proud that we America came during the infamous Scopes Monkey (Just as he leaves, Lulu hurries to a door, lets Eddie in.) Elmer (off-stage): So long. did it here in the flyover zone!” Trial at which Clarence Darrow bested William Elmer (off-stage): Hello? ... Darling! Lulu: Your naughtiest girl. Following the première in Nashville, one man Jennings Bryan in debates of evolution versus Lulu (to Eddie): You’re late. (Elmer hangs up and walks back in, just as Eddie turned to his wife and said, “This is better than any creationism. The drowning of beloved female evangelist Elmer: Oh, yes, love you too... conceals himself and Lulu returns to the altar. As they Broadway show. And to that we can say, Amen. Aimee Semple McPherson in 1926 seemed to be a Eddie: Did I miss...? sing the Trio, Elmer stalks Lulu around the altar; they national tragedy until she showed up in Mexico, dressed (She claps her hand over his mouth, pushes him back engage in love-play in various places; and Eddie sings Richard Dyer to the nines. She had apparently been having an affair, out the door, and resumes a seductive pose just as from his vantage point, transfixed by what he sees.) and the event compromised her marriage as well as her Elmer reappears.) Elmer, Lulu, Eddie: Richard Dyer covered music in The Boston Globe for career. Her awkward reappearance also caused Lewis to Elmer: Uh huh. OK... Bye bye. (To Lulu): Go ahead. A little man stands by a house; 33 years and followed the fortunes of Elmer Gantry rewrite the death scene of the novel’s female evangelist Lulu: A little man stands by a house; Red in the face, for his burden is heavy. from the beginning. Since his retirement from the Sharon Falconer. Red in the face, for his burden is heavy. A forest surrounds the house; newspaper he has been creating podcasts for the Lewis’s biographer Mark Schorer described Elmer A forest surrounds the house; And deep in the house, a magic stove, Boston Symphony Orchestra, writing program notes, Gantry as “the noisiest novel in American literature, the And deep in the house, a magic stove, Delightfully warm and glowing. lecturing, and teaching at the Tanglewood Music Center. most braying, guffawing, belching novel that we have.” Delightfully warm and glowing. But the threshold is slick and the hallway snug. Filled with extravagant writing, strobe light scenes of But the threshold is slick and the hallway snug. The man has to struggle and fuss and tug revivalist mayhem, and a vast quantity of Golly! and The man has to struggle and fuss and tug Until the walls clutch at him, tumble him in; The Bully Pulpit: Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis Gee!, the novel’s hectic prose is the perfect setting for Until the walls clutch at him, tumble him in; And dashing his burden, he swoons by the stove. one of fiction’s greatest scoundrels. Elmer lives as a And dashing his burden, he swoons by the stove. Slow fade to black When Sinclair Lewis arrived in New York in September hard-drinking, sweet-talking rover until he meets Sister (The phone rings.) 1926, he was met by his publisher Alfred Harcourt. He Sharon. Elmer thinks he’s in love, but the poetry Elmer: Damn! Won’t be long. (He goes to answer it.) 6 Act II, Scene 5 handed Harcourt a heavy black bag. “What is it?” asked “gushing” in him is part ego, part greed. (To be honest, Lulu: Sweetheart, don’t worry. Later that evening. Same setting. the publisher. “Dynamite!” replied the author in a stage this also characterizes the good Sister.) (She goes immediately to the door, lets in Eddie.) (Sharon is kneeling in prayer.) whisper. The bag held the half-finished manuscript of Certainly, naturalistic portraits of the clergy existed Elmer (off-stage): Hello? Sharon: Dear God, look into my heart. Elmer Gantry, a novel about a silver-tongued saver of in American literature, Harold Frederic’s The Eddie: What did I miss? I have been Your servant, Your follower, Your falconer. souls whose private life was an unabashed repertoire of Damnation of Theron Ware (1896), for example. In that Lulu: Not much, but hurry. Let tomorrow be my offering to you. hypocrisy and vice. It would indeed prove to be Lewis’s novel, readers at least found a sympathetic character. (Lulu tries to get Eddie into a hiding place. He caresses If I’ve been proud along the way, forgive me now. most incendiary work. But Lewis offered no such consolation with Elmer her.) If I have angered men or divided them, forgive me now. At the time, Lewis had published two of the five Gantry. What he tapped into with this novel touched the Elmer (off-stage): Oh, yes sir! No, it’s fine. Forgive me and your servant Elmer for all our words novels on which his critical reputation rests, Main Street American psyche at a time of significant shifts in Eddie: Been a good girl? and deeds… (1920) and Babbitt (1922). The year before, Lewis had national character and religious practice. Lewis’s Lulu: No. Been very naughty. (A subtle lighting change, and Elmer is there, handing won – and refused – the Pulitzer Prize for his novel admittedly crude treatment of Gantry should have been Eddie: Not a good girl? (He is trying to embrace her, a book to her.) Arrowsmith. With Elmer Gantry (1927) and the Nobel interpreted as the burlesque its author intended, but the resisting her efforts to get him to hide. She reciprocates Elmer: Shara! this Eastern mystic stuff, THIS is the Prize winner Dodsworth (1930), Lewis gained a outrage was real and widespread. One pastor invited his caresses, all the while trying to move him to a future. Have a look. reputation as a sort of American Diogenes. His scathing Lewis to a lynching party in Virginia, while another in hiding place, and keeping an alert eye on Elmer.) (She reads the title from the cover of the book): wit, his all-seeing eye, and his cynical outlook made Maine wondered if there was no “respectable and Lulu: Very naughty. You’ll see. Sharon: The Seven Principles of New Thought Power him the literary equivalent of that other favorite skeptic righteous way” of putting Lewis in jail. To understand Elmer (off-stage): I promise you you’ll have your with Key to World Religions by Dr. Evans Binch. of the period, H.L. Mencken. this, we have to remember the legacy of Puritanism in money Wednesday… Yep. You have my word, sir. Elmer: This Binch guy is onto something. Here’s what: During the 1920s, the Puritanism that had long the America of the 1920s. Eddie: We’ll get him back for everything, won’t we? we set up these New Thought seminars all over the sustained American character seemed to be drowning in That the Puritans came to North America to escape (His embrace is now frankly sexual.) place, we hire some teachers, pay ’em peanuts. And you a sea of bathtub gin. (Mencken defined Puritanism as religious persecution in England is well known to every Lulu: Yes. (She leads him to a hiding place.) and I retire to Ole Virginny while we keep on rakin’ it

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in. (She hands him back the book. He starts to go.) the lights fade. In the darkness, it is again the only little minx, the daughter of the president of the Bible (CD 2 8). This has celebratory choruses, the football “New Thought” Simple… “New Thought”… Beautiful! thing visible. After a moment, it is turned off.) College, one of Elmer’s girlfriends, and ultimately the ballet, moments of prayer, an offering (“What is Love?” (He is gone.) wife of Eddie Fislinger; her arietta evolves into a for the last time). Revengeful figures from Elmer’s past Sharon: Sometimes he can be so convincing. 8 Act II, Scene 7 delicious double entendre trio. The words and music at file forward to confess, repent and be forgiven; the But God, look into my heart. The next evening. The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle. first sound as innocent as something from Hansel und influence of the finale of Mozart’s Don Giovanni is Know that I have loved You, Your falconer. (The stage of the opera house has been transformed Gretel, but before long the trio is at once sexy, perverse, inescapable. Elmer is exposed, tries to repent, this time If this man can really love me, what should I do? into a huge altar which rises up from the stage to dreamlike, funny and sad (CD 2 7). for real, but he cannot even do that; to distract attention, (The same lighting change, and Elmer appears again, disappear above the proscenium. It is a grand modern These arias develop remarkably vivid he directs a boy to throw the switch to illuminate the rather bashfully holding out a ring box to her.) day retable, an intricate affair of carved scrollwork, all characterizations. Sister Sharon is always off in her own electric cross. It explodes and the tabernacle goes up in No, Elmer. white with gilt overlays. A few feet above floor level, to world; she seems to be in a state of perpetual trance. flames. Sister Sharon refuses to let Elmer rescue her; Elmer: Please, Shara, Marry me, my darling. Let me serve as a backdrop to the baptismal font, it holds a Elmer, on the other hand, is always out in the world. He this is her Immolation Scene (CD 2 9). take care of you. Even boss you around a little. (He huge panoramic trompe l’oeil painting of the River doesn’t have much of an inner life to expose, so most of The libretto has set all of this forth with clarity, starts to go.) Will you? Will you? Will you? Jordan. Set above that, there is a small stage on which his arias are public performances like his patter-song ingenuity and theatrical daring, and the music rises to (She is alone again. Long pause.) are displayed the many crutches, braces, wheelchairs, shilling for Pequot Farm Implements, which he the occasion; one can hear the licking of the flames and Yes, my wonderful cast-iron statue of ignorance. Yes, etc. that have been cast off during Sharon’s previous interrupts with a parlor ballad about a dying farmer who then feel the hot flare. Finally we see Elmer again. He is yes, yes. services. Higher up, panels feature other devotional bought the right implements and saved his property a survivor, and he is on to the next thing, rewriting Slow fade to black themes, an American flag, etc. Just in front of the (CD 1 3). Towards the end he delivers a public aria of history as he goes. The fire has become fluid and the last backdrop there are white thronelike chairs for religious repentance, with chorus; he is still working the crowd. word is not Elmer’s; we hear the united voices of the 7 Act II, Scene 6 and civic dignitaries in attendance (T.J. Rigg, dressed Later, when he needs to, he cannot repent convincingly, dead singing Sharon’s dying words about angels in the One hour later. The same setting. in Elks finery, occupies one); interspersed between and, trying to divert attention, creates a disaster. flames, singing and calling to one another. Elmer has (In the darkness left by the previous scene, a huge cross these chairs, flagpoles bearing the American flag, the Elmer’s one moment alone begins as an angry left the stage, so we do not know if he is haunted by of electric lights flickers on, suspended in mid-air. After Christian flag, and the Missouri state flag; to the sides, personal response to being rejected by Sister Sharon these voices; we do know that we are. a few seconds, it turns off. A moment’s pause in the the robed choir stands, elevated on platforms and which turns into a ringing address to God who, through After the première in Nashville, the production darkness, then it flickers on again. T.J. Rigg is backed by huge white half-shells. The edges of the Sharon, has “opened him down to the bone.” This is at moved on to Montclair State University in New Jersey. standing facing upstage, looking up at the cross.) orchestra pit have been decorated with flounce-like once an accusation and a moment of triumph, for Elmer The University of Houston and the University of Recitative protuberances resembling the open petals of a lily. The believes that God has filled him with “howling” words Minnesota have since produced it – Elmer Gantry is T.J.: Oh, Lordy. conductor wears white. Hanging high above the stage and that he will never be the same again – “Never the proving to be a piece that ambitious opera-training 1st workman: What d’ya think, Mr. Rigg? is the cross of electric lights, not yet turned on. same!” Except this is ironic too – Elmer is always the programs want to turn their students loose on. Florentine T.J.: Lord, that’s beautiful. Downstage is Sharon’s central pulpit, a simple white same, whether he realizes it or not; his aria is self- Opera’s general director William Florescu decided to (A 2nd workman is heard from off-stage.) affair currently festooned with flowers. In front of that, dramatization, not self-revelation (CD 1 4). create the second professional production, bringing the 2nd workman: Joe, I had to put it into the same circuit the mourner’s benches of unfinished wood that we saw Aldridge’s remarkably supple score mingles the original stage director and conductor (John Hoomes and with the marquee and the dome lights. in Act I. These benches are the only rustic element arias and choruses with recitative, conversations like the William Boggs, respectively), but using new costumes 1st workman: O.K. remaining in the scene.) spooky one between T. J. Riggs and the electricians who and building a redesigned set. Florescu retained (Pause. He stares at it appreciatively. To TJ): (The lights come up suddenly and brightly onstage and are setting up the electric cross in Sister Sharon’s new emerging star baritone Keith Phares in the title role, but That’s something, huh? throughout the house. The Revival Singer leads the tabernacle (CD 2 6), a love duet (CD 2 2), a trio (CD 2 also engaged some new singers, arranged for a national T.J.: I could just stare at that forever. (To 2nd choir and the congregants in a hymn.) 5), the gospel quartet (CD 1 4) which is actually a broadcast, and this Naxos recording. workman, off-stage): Everything O.K. down there? Hymn quintet, and, in an exercise of tremendous compositional Florescu says Elmer Gantry is a wonderful example 2nd workman: I’d look into a new generator before long. Revival Singer and Chorus: virtuosity, an octet in which two quartets of opposing of how composers today are unapologetic, indeed T.J.: Will do, will do. (To both): Thank you, men. Oh! that my nightly watch would cease to be, forces interact (CD 2 3). messianic, about the musical language they use. “Bob 1st workman: ’Night, Mr. Rigg. Best of luck tomorrow. So the dawn’s glad promise may arise in me. Everything in the opera converges in the dazzling was not pandering or trite, or derivative, and Herschel’s T.J.: Goodnight, fellas. And oh! that my anxious fears would cease to be, and apocalyptic final scene, the opening and dedication libretto is really excellent – what great words he gave (Alone on stage, he turns to regard the cross again as So a wondrous love may arise in me. of Sister Sharon’s The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle Bob to set. And the piece breaks the mold of insider

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passes these words off as his own in various contexts, tribute to the coloratura skills Kelley has honed over For Jesus poured out his blood on Calvary Revival Singer: For Jesus has won from Death a victory, appropriate and not. Eddie himself loses control over his decades of early-music performance. Similarly Sharon’s That a wondrous love may arise in me. And to all mankind He says, “Arise in me.” own words as he prepares his sermon in the entrance aria 4 lay in the most lustrous part of Lorraine Arise in me! oh arise in me! Chorus: “Arise in me, oh arise in me,” extraordinary aria that closes Act I. He starts to sing “It Hunt’s range and called for all of the womanly and He poured out His blood on Calvary. To all mankind He says “Arise in me.” shines upon the cradle of the babe” but the words spiritual radiance she later became internationally Arise in me! oh arise in me! “Arise in me, oh arise in me,” “swindler bully” emerge unbidden from his lips; “it famous for. And is it going too far to hear in the sinuous To let a wondrous love arise in me. To all mankind He says, “Arise in me.” casts its radiance,” he continues, “on the quiet vermin vocal line of that aria, “The sun embraces the stony Oh! that the stormy gust would cease to be, Revival Singer and Chorus: lickspittle rutting lecherous ape.” Eddie becomes a earth” with its rippling accompaniment and solo flute an So the sweet breath of calm may arise in me. “Arise in me, oh arise. Arise in me, oh arise. Arise. figure both comic and tragic as he forsakes his own echo of Norma’s entrance aria Casta diva in Bellini’s And oh! that my sinning heart would cease to be, Arise. Arise.” beliefs and becomes as hypocritical in his own way as opera? Aldridge and Garfein even provide a comparable So an unblemished heart may arise in me. (The lights have been dimmed. A spotlight finds Elmer is in his (CD 1 6). cabaletta with chorus, “Jesus could be comin’ tonight” For Jesus has paid the debt and set us free, Sharon, who makes a grand entrance.) As the opera developed, Aldridge and Garfein (CD 1 4). That an unblemished heart may arise in me. Sharon: Behold... worked together in Aldridge’s home – or burnt up the Aldridge and Garfein raised $75,000 for a second Arise in me! oh arise in me! Chorus: BEHOLD! phone lines between Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. workshop of what they thought was the complete opera Jesus paid the debt and set us free. (Pause) They also made a pact to listen to an opera every day. It two years later. But at that point the Boston opera Arise in me! oh arise in me! Sharon: Behold the city is Thine. was a pact frequently broken, but they did study several company that had funneled the money for those Let that unblemished heart arise in me. Chorus: Thine, Thine alone operas like Boris Godunov, Die Meistersinger, and workshops decided not to produce the work. Pantomime Behold, the city is Thine. Peter Grimes in which the chorus becomes the voice of Aldridge and Garfein then began to shop their opera (As the orchestra plays, Elmer runs onto stage wearing Sharon: This beautiful old opera house is Thine. the community, as well as the operas of Verdi that around to more than a dozen other American companies an all-white football uniform with a golden cross on the Chorus: Thine, Thine alone. provide examples of complex musical characterization. – at their own expense. Many companies expressed no back. He carries a Bible bound in the shape of a Sharon: And this wonderful symphony orchestra... As their work progressed, Aldridge and Garfein interest; an occasional glimmer of promise would end in football, which he opens and displays for the crowd. A Chorus: Thine alone. made a studio recording of two extended scenes from defeat. Meanwhile, Aldridge worked at orchestrating the revival worker brings an older minister (in clerical Sharon: This choir, so mighty in His praises... the opera in order to apply for support from the Lila whole score, and collaborated with Garfein on making collar) up from the audience. The crowd chants): Chorus, Revival Singer: Thine only, thine alone. Wallace-Reader’s Digest “Opera for a New America” many cuts in the hope of creating a more effective opera Chorus: HAL, HAL, HALLELUJAH! Behold, the city is Thine. program. They received a $13,000 grant that they used – and a more performable one, not to mention a more (Elmer gives the minister the football, indicates that he (In what follows, Sharon addresses the crowd in a for a piano-accompanied workshop production in budgetable one. The collaborators slimmed a 4 1/2 hour is to snap it to him. Three attractive female dancers in profoundly personal way.) Boston in 1992. The laughter and applause you can hear piece down to one that now lasts about 2 hours and 25 devil costumes appear onstage. Each has the number 6 Sharon: I say some crazy things sometimes. I’ve said I’m on this recording from Florentine Opera in Milwaukee minutes, according to the printed score, although most on her back. They stand in a row, backs to the a priestess; I’ve said Jesus talks to me. I’m Joan of Arc. was present even on that earlier, incomplete opening productions to date have made additional minor trims. audience, and wiggle their bottoms suggestively. Then (Elmer picks up her intimate tone, translating it.) night – only half the opera was performed, because The chorus appears as Bible College faculty, they turn and take up football positions in opposition to Elmer: She’s crazy alright. She said she’d take over the that’s how much of it had been completed. Garfein was farmers, members of the Elks Lodge, and various other Elmer and the minister. At the moment of the snap, the biggest opera house in the state and fill it full of the stage director, and the “original cast” included congregations; Aldridge ensures variety not only by chorus shouts): worshipful Christians! Lorraine Hunt as Sharon, Metropolitan Opera baritone writing for full mixed chorus, but also for men’s chorus, Chorus: HIKE! Chorus: Thine, Sharon, thine alone. Vernon Hartman as Elmer, and Frank Kelley as Eddie – women’s chorus, and even a “family” gospel quartet led Pantomime of Elmer receiving the snap, breaking Sharon: And I say angels came to my room. Kelley is the only singer who has consistently appeared by a solo gospel singer. Collectively the chorus violently through the line of devils, making a I was twelve years old when they took me up. in Gantry since the beginning, but it is fair to say that all represents the voice of the people, a vox Americana. touchdown, dancing in celebration. The devils, inert, Chorus: Thine, Sharon, thine alone. (Repeat) of that first group of singers provided significant Aldridge and Garfein have also given solo arias to are dragged off-stage. Sharon: Took me West over prairies and canyons. inspiration for Aldridge and Garfein to develop their six of the principal singers, Sharon and Elmer of course, Everyone resumes the hymn.) Below me, I saw grainfields falling in fiery sheaves. roles. Eddie Fislinger’s aria that now ends the first act is Frank Shallard and Eddie Fislinger, Lulu Baines and her Oh! that life’s brackish stream would cease to be, An angel said, “People will fall with Holy Ghost fire quite specifically tailored to Kelley’s gift for father, Rev. Arthur Baines. Most of them do not achieve So the living waters may arise in me. when you speak.” communicating uncensored emotion and the ironic closure and court applause in the nineteenth-century And oh! that all earthly things would cease to be, Elmer, Sharon: “People will fall when you speak.” laughter Aldridge composed into this bitter scherzo is a manner, but instead evolve into other things. Lulu is a So eternal life may arise in me. Chorus: Fall with Holy Ghost fire. (Repeat)

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Elmer, Sharon: “People will fall with Holy Ghost fire Elmer, Chorus: What is Love? Aldridge and Garfein had met at New England score sounds authentic – even though Garfein wrote the when you speak.” It is the air and light of every heart. Conservatory; Aldridge was a founding member of the words for all the hymns and Aldridge composed the People fall with Holy Ghost fire when she speaks. (To encourage the giving, the Revival Singer and the popular new-music collective Composers in Red music, which is not pastiche. Instead, the music is Chorus: Fall with Holy Ghost fire. Revival Worker join Elmer downstage. They sing over Sneakers, which Garfein subsequently joined. Both had something denser and richer, something that probes Sharon (over): And they fall, they do fall. the crowd.) already won their spurs as composers, but neither one of deeper because of the sophisticated musical mind and Elmer (ironically, to crowd): She’s crazy, alright. She’s The three men: Send it in. Send your love in. Send it them knew anything much about the opera world and experienced ear that Aldridge brings to the raw crazy alright. on down the line. how it operates. They found out the hard way – it was a materials from the vernacular; Garfein charted a parallel (He then takes over from Sharon.) Eddie: He stole that. He stole all of it. seventeen-year journey from that Christmas dinner to course in finding the poetry in colloquial American Elmer: I fell with the fire. I was the greatest of sinners Lulu, Rev. and Mrs. Baines: the world première at the Nashville Opera on 16th English, even the slang, of the period. ’til I heard her voice. Patience, sweetheart. Patience, Edward. November, 2007. American opera companies are not Aldridge’s musical imagination makes the choral Chorus (under): They fall with fire. They fall. They fall. All: For Love is the builder of every home; geared to further the ambitions of young composers, and music, in particular, quite exceptionally difficult to sing They fall. The kindler of fire on every hearth. commissioners are more interested in works by people – although it is catchy and easy to remember. Among Sharon: Our friend, Elmer Gantry. Our good friend in Elmer: And tonight, folks, we’re gonna have some who are already famous – even if their fame comes from other things, Aldridge has notated the kind of Christ... beautiful illustrated sermons, we’re gonna kindle that their accomplishments in areas far removed from opera. improvisational jubilation that marks choral and Elmer: Then my frozen heart thawed; majestic cross of electric lights, and Sister Sharon’s Everything began promisingly. First came the congregational singing of this kind. Sin became grace; gonna bring you a special message of healing. painstaking but exciting job of roughing out a scenario, Aldridge’s use of “What a Friend We Have in And grace turned to Love. (As the three men turn to take up new positions onstage, which evolved into a more labor-intensive job of cutting Jesus” also points to the major shift in direction away Chorus: Grace turns to Love. (Repeat) Eddie and his companions — and adding, shaping and revising. Ultimately Elmer from the novel that he and Garfein made as they Sharon: Divine Love of God. “Quartet 2” — are again heard from the house.) Gantry emerged as an opera in two acts, with thirteen experienced church services and revival meetings in Elmer God’s Love by grace. Qt. 2: Now. Now’s our chance. scenes and an epilogue. North Carolina. Lewis’s novel is almost exhaustingly Revival Singer, Revival Worker: Oh, that first day. Mrs. Baines: Brother Gantry, can you help me? In 1991 and 1992, Aldridge and Garfein travelled to satirical, a brilliant cartoon, really, and Elmer is a one- Elmer: Yes, that first day. Elmer: Someone... (turning back to the crowd): ... Is North Carolina to experience the old-time religion first- dimensional and profoundly unpleasant character. Chorus: Grace turns to Love on that first day. (Repeat) someone in need? hand – and to hear and assimilate the music of the old- Aldridge and Garfein may not have become converts to Elmer, Sharon: Grace turns to Love. Mrs. Baines: Yes, Brother. (She moves toward the stage.) time religion. They had a prestigious predecessor in this populist religion, but they recognized and felt its power Elmer (prompting crowd): AND…? Elmer (Locating her amidst the crowd): Ma’am... there endeavor. In the summer of 1934 George Gershwin for good as well as understanding how easily that power Elmer, Chorus: WHAT IS LOVE? you are. headed to South Carolina to study some of the regional can be diverted and exploited for personal and political It is the Evening and the Morning Star. Mrs. Baines (Half to Elmer, half to the crowd): It’s not African-American music he needed to know before he gain. They rounded out Elmer’s character – Gantry may (This is the cue for the collection. Above the heads of me, brother. It’s my son-in-law. He and my daughter could compose Porgy and Bess. There are echoes of not examine himself, or even understand himself, but he the crowd, a network of clotheslines runs from the rear have sinned horribly. Horribly. Gershwin in Gantry, and in fact the marimba-limned is at least an honest hypocrite whose enthusiasms are of the house to the stage. People wishing to donate Elmer: Is he present? opening of the opera pays tribute to the opening of real, even if they do not run deep. stand and attach dollar bills to these lines, which are Mrs. Baines: Yes. Porgy. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is sung by then pulled slowly to the front by revival workers on the Elmer: I feel he’s present. They’re both here. Elmer Gantry is full of hymns, gospel songs, Elmer’s college pal Frank Shallard, who has become a stage. As the lines fill and travel slowly forward, the (Becoming theatrical): Oh, I feel a great sadness is on marches, dances and all kinds of other period genre clergyman too, but one whose religious beliefs are effect created is of a graceful ballet over the heads of them... (out to the crowd): Will you come down? Will music that reflects the religious and popular music of constantly being tested by the realities of his world – the audience.) you let Jesus heal you? the period of the story. One can hear other influences as including the success of Elmer. To a silent Elmer, who (Eddie and his companions are heard from the house): Chorus, Elmer: well, notably Copland and Kurt Weill. But there is only hears but does not understand, Frank asks “Is belief a Eddie: Hey! that’s my sermon! Let Him heal you. (Repeat) Come down and pray with one bit of pre-existing music in the opera, a familiar gift? / How is conviction earned? / Fresh, boundless and Lulu: Quiet, sweetheart. Mom! hymn Aldridge must have sung countless times as a unwavering faith, / Can that be learned?” (CD 2 4) Rev. Baines, Mrs. Baines: Not yet, Edward. Not yet. Elmer (Peering into the house) And... and I see two dutiful young churchgoer – “What a Friend We Have in Something similar happens to the music that Eddie: But he stole my sermon! people... and there’s a third. And Hallelujah, they’re Jesus,” composed in 1868 on a poem written in Canada delivers Eddie Fislinger’s sermon, “What is Love? It is Lulu, Rev. and Mrs. Baines: I know. Be patient. Be coming down! in 1855. the morning and the evening star.” This becomes one of patient. (The revival singer and the revival worker begin to All of the other “period” music which illumines the the score’s leitmotifs, and a source of mirth when Elmer

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Elmer Gantry sing, joined by Elmer. Meanwhile, Eddie, Baines and Sharon: I know her... Music by Robert Livingston Aldridge (b. 1954) • Libretto by Herschel Garfein (b. 1958) Lulu make their way to the front of the house. Eddie: She was helpless to resist. The three, Elmer, Chorus: Lulu: He was expert in vile fornication. Elmer Gantry is an all-American opera. It presents us that things have not changed much in the subsequent Oh that first day Elmer: Aw, hell! with a particular moment in American history, the century. We also experience characters, and the Oh that day I’m singing of Eddie: They began a weekly tryst. period early in the twentieth century just before World evolution of characters – unprincipled people Oh that first day (Repeat) Sharon: Elmer’s old girlfriend... War I, when popular religion set out to appropriate unexpectedly do principled things, and vice versa; (1): That day he promised me. Elmer: She’ll spill it all... contemporary business models and when best-selling Elmer and Sharon learn something from each other, (2): Day folks open up Chorus (an outburst): Here’s a tale of sin coming to books argued that if Jesus were to come back today, he although neither one of them learns enough. Dance down here! light. would be president of the Rotary Club. But the real The source of the story is a section of Sinclair Oh that first day. (Then, under the following): Poor... dear... sad... dark. subject of the opera is one that runs through all of Lewis’s once-controversial, now-classic, American (Eddie leaps onto stage.) Eddie, Qt. 2: Suspecting the worst, I/he followed her American history, the pervasive and easily corrupted novel, Elmer Gantry (1927). Both the composer, Robert Elmer: Eddie...! one day power of religion. Livingston Aldridge, and the librettist, Herschel Garfein, Eddie: Gantry... To their place of assignation, where I/he hid from view. Elmer Gantry begins with sexual boasting and a are Americans, Aldridge from Presbyterian stock, Garfein Elmer: You know folks, the time ain’t right with the Sharon, Elmer: I/She’ll suspect the worst. I fear what bar-room brawl; it closes in an apocalyptic revival of Jewish heritage. They wrote their opera for American Lord for healin’. they’ll say. meeting. The title character is a former football player singers, more specifically for American singing-actors, Chorus: No sir. I fear it all rings true. who has become a huckstering evangelist who serves as who know how to internalize, then deliver, their own Elmer: Let’s get this man some counselin’ in the Elmer (Great show of sadness): God love ya! the business manager for an even more successful yeasty language, and how to sing many different kinds of “Ninety-nine Room.” Chorus: POOR SINNERS! evangelist, Sister Sharon Falconer. In one stirring and American music. When there is a discussion a class in Elmer, Chorus: “Ninety-nine sheep are in the fold...” Elmer (Aside): If they don’t shut up, I’m through. amusing scene, Elmer stages a mock football game Old Testament Hebrew that Elmer has been skipping, (Revival workers, moving in time to the music, Sharon (To Qt. 2): Keep going. during a service and scores a touchdown for Jesus Aldridge gives us some klezmer clarinet, making a little begin to steer Eddie off-stage.) Elmer (To all): Now I feel we could pray in silence. despite interference from some pitchfork-wielding little bow to his friend and librettist (CD 1 3). Eddie (desperately): Jesus will listen to me if the Sharon: No. Ignore him! Keep going. devils. One of the things that makes it particularly Like most serious artists in America – or anywhere Reverend won’t. Revival worker, singer, T.J., Elmer, Sharon: amusing is that we remember that Elmer had used the else – Aldridge and Garfein had to overcome major Sharon: In my temple, everyone is heard. Tell your story. “Tell it all to Jesus. same metaphor in the opening scene of the opera, but obstacles to bring their colorful, powerful and thought- (Meanwhile, Eddie’s companions have joined him Tell of hope and sadness, too. that time the score was sexual. Sex and sports and provoking opera to the stage. Nothing worthwhile is onstage. He and Lulu alternately address the This is gettin’ ugly. religion – a volatile compound. ever easy to achieve. congregation; What’s the big to-do? We also learn, early on, that Elmer Gantry is a The process all began at Christmas dinner in 1990, Rev. Baines and Mrs. Baines add their support.) If they don’t shut up I’m through. hypocrite, a prototype for such much-publicized when Aldridge and Garfein were still in their early Eddie: I neglected a husband’s duties. Keep going. contemporary American figures as Jimmy Swaggart, thirties. After the table was cleared they decided to Lulu: I was tempted by lust. He acts like a guilty man. Jim Bakker, and Ted Haggard. The difference is that watch a videocassette of the 1960 movie version of Eddie: I allowed my wife to wander. Chorus: Elmer is a well-meaning hypocrite who simply wants Elmer Gantry which featured Burt Lancaster as Elmer Lulu: I betrayed my husband’s trust. “Tell it all to Jesus. mutually exclusive things and enjoys all of them; he and Jean Simmons as Sharon. Aldridge said, “That’s a Lulu, Qt. 2: Adrift and confused, I/she fell prey to an He will listen to you.” does whatever he wishes without going through internal great subject for an opera, and I could write the music evil man. Oh God, You wouldn’t let him betray me. struggles over choosing the right thing. for it”; he is, after all, the son of a minister, a preacher’s A Christian man, in whose goodness I/she set store. Elmer (To all): How ’bout we light up that ole rugged In addition to the world of evangelism, we explore kid. Garfein added, “And I could write the libretto.” Elmer: Praise JESUS! You’re forgiven! cross? other aspects of period Americana – a Bible College (Garfein, a composer of quality himself, comes from a Chorus: Hallelujah! T.J.: Attaboy! faculty meeting (CD 1 2), the hustle of traveling theatrical family – his father is a stage and film director, Qt. 2: Wait, there’s more. Sharon: No! salesmen, and a meeting of the Elks Lodge (CD 1 5). his mother and sister are actors.) And the late mezzo- Sharon (Aside): What’s the matter with him? Elmer (To her): Or... let’s open our Bibles. The opera helps us realize that all of these groups, and soprano Lorraine Hunt, not yet the legendary Lorraine Chorus (under all the following): Here are poor, dear Sharon: No! If sin is here, let’s bring it to light. the individuals within them, are using comparable Hunt Lieberson, said she would like to tackle the role of people in a sad, dark plight. Chorus, Sharon, Elmer: methods to achieve the same secular economic goal, and the fervent female evangelist Sharon Falconer. Lulu: I succumbed to that devil’s advances. If sin is here, let’s bring it to light.

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Tell it all! She’ll never forgive me. there is an explosion and all lights — including house (All the following are sung simultaneously): and orchestra pit — go out. In the darkness, there is a CD 2 72:14 Eddie, Qt. 2: With tears in my/his eyes, I/he observed moment of confusion, then pandemonium breaks out. their filthy acts. People scream. After a few seconds, the lights come But imagine my/the surprise when he turned to face up on a radically different scene. Elements of the Act II my/the hiding place scenery are in tatters, smoke courses through, chairs And I/you realized who he was. are overturned, several people lie inert on the floor and Sharon: There are tears in my eyes. Oh God, You many others have fled. From now until the end of the 1 Introduction 0:51 wouldn’t. Oh, God. scene, time moves in a way that is more dreamlike than Elmer: There are tears in her eyes. Oh God, I’ll be realistic.) 2 Scene 1: Sharon’s suite, The Antlers Hotel, Lincoln, good from now on. Chorus: Fire! Fire! Nebraska, 1912. T.J.: There are tears in her eyes. Oh Hell, what’s going on? Smoke streams on crests of fire. Revival worker, singer: Tell it all to Jesus, tell of hope Cinders whirl in quickening spirals. [Elmer, Sharon] 14:36 and sadness, too. If you long for solace, He will listen Crimson flames vault to the rafters. 3 Scene 2: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, construction site, to you. Tell it all to Jesus, He will listen to you. Fire! Chorus (under): The tears in their eyes are proof Sharon: God won’t harm us! Go calmly! He’s with us! Zenith, Missouri, 1913. against lies. Elmer: One at a time! One at a time! [Tour Guide, Women’s Chorus, Elmer, Sharon, Frank, They must bring sin to light and say who he was. Quartet 2: Stay, people, stay. Crowd, Sharon: Bring sin to light and say who he was! Lulu: I’m frightened. T.J. Rigg, Eddie, Lulu, Rev. Baines, Mrs. Baines] 9:44 Eddie, Qt. 2: Imagine my/the surprise when I/you Eddie (To her): This is the end God wants for us. 4 Scene 3: Same setting, later that night. realized who he was. Chorus, Qt. 2, Sharon, Elmer: Elmer, T.J.: Oh, God I’ll be good from now on. / Oh, Smoke streams. [Frank] 7:02 Hell! What’s going on? Cinders whirl. 5 Scene 4: A hotel room in Zenith, Missouri, a few months later. Crowd, Sharon: Say who he was! Say who he was! Flames vault. Eddie, Qt. 2: I/You realized who he was. The Lord will come with fire, and [Elmer, Lulu, Eddie] 7:40 Elmer, T.J.: I’ll be good from now on. / What’s going on? He rebukes with flames of fire. 6 Scene 5: Sharon’s private sanctuary in the Tabernacle, All: Say who he was! Go calmly! Elmer (After a very brief silence) It was me. It was me, One at a time. One at a time. the same day. Elmer Gantry. Elmer: Sharon, come with me. There’s a back way out. [Sharon, Elmer] 5:06 Dear God in Heaven, You know it was me. T.J. (Overhearing): A back way out! That’s for me. Lord, You picked me up once, now I’ve fallen again. That’s for me. That’s for me. (He runs off.) 7 Scene 6: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, very late that night. (Tearfully) I’m a lyin’ adulterer, a prideful beast. Sharon: Don’t talk to me! Look, sweet Jesus. Look, I’m on my knees. Elmer: Sharon, don’t be crazy! [T.J. Rigg, Worker 1, Worker 2] 1:31 At the feet of Your saint. Before all Your people. Sharon: Stay away from me. (To crowd, nearly 8 Scene 7: The Waters of Jordan Tabernacle, Opening Night, 1913. Let Thy cross shine tenderly on me. (This is both a frantic): Please! If you love me, go calmly! If you love heartfelt plea and an instruction to a boy whose job it is me, go calmly. [Chorus, Revival Singer, Sharon, Elmer, Revival Worker, to throw the switch that controls the electric cross.) Chorus: Smoke streams! Cinders whirl! Flames vault! Eddie, Lulu, Mrs. Baines, Rev. Baines, T.J. Rigg] 19:25 Sister, can there be forgiveness for me? Elmer: Sharon, come with me! Sharon: In Heaven, or on earth? (Pause) Chorus: Now the doors are ringed with flame. 9 Epilogue: Another place, a few weeks later. Elmer: Sharon...? (To the boy): Light it up, son. (Brief Now the halls are caves of flame. [Elmer, Dr. Binch, Chorus] 6:19 pause) Sharon...? Those who fled are bursts of flame. (The boy throws the switch. The cross lights. Instantly, Their screams are flame. (Repeat)

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Qt. 2: There’s no escape now! There’s no escape now! 9 Epilogue CD I 69:24 Gehenna beckons! (Repeat) (Elmer and Dr. Evans Binch enter separately Elmer: I’m begging you, please come with me. downstage, shake hands. The final tableau of the Sharon: My people… previous scene remains in place upstage, lit in a way Act I Elmer: I’m begging you! that suggests the devastated opera house. The chorus Sharon: My people need me. I have to stay. and Sharon are turned upstage or visible through a Elmer: Please let me save you, Sharon… scrim.) 1 Scene 1: The Old Home Sample Room, Cato, Missouri, 1905. Sharon: My place is here, forever. Elmer: Dr. Binch. Great pleasure. Sharon: My place is here with the Lord forever. Binch: New Thought welcomes you. We greet... all [Elmer, Men’s Chorus, Frank, Bully] 5:20 Elmer: Just take my hand and we’ll fly together. parts... of the being. The sadness you 2 Scene 2: The President’s Office, Terwillinger College and Sharon: I have to stay with the Lord forever. carry. (Every phrase that passes Binch’s lips appears to Elmer (Gently): Take my hand. Take my hand. Come originate deep in his soul.) Seminary, Cato, Missouri, the next day. with me. Elmer: Thank you, sir. [Men’s Chorus, Rev. Baines, Elmer, Frank, Eddie, Lulu] 15:07 (He lunges and tries to grab her hand.) Binch (Correcting him): Hajji. Elmer: Take my hand! Take my hand! Elmer: You know, Hajji, Sister Sharon was reading 3 Scene 3: A field on the outskirts of Grauten, Missouri, 1906. (She fights him off furiously.) your book in her last days. I bet she’d [Elmer, Frank, Lulu] 10:44 Sharon: NEVER TOUCH ME! be getting a kick out of us working together and all. (He leaves.) Binch: She surrounds you. 4 Scene 4: Outside Sharon Falconer’s Revival Tent, Let God be true, and every man a liar Elmer: Well, I’m ready to start anytime. What do you say? Sautersville, Kansas, later that evening. Qt. 2, Chorus, Sharon (to herself): Binch (Leading Elmer off): I say “The oyster opens, There’s no escape now. There’s no escape now. showing a new pearl every day.” [Chorus, Ice Cream Vendor, Revival Worker, Revival Singer, Let God be true, and every man a liar. Elmer (As they leave): Gosh! You know, I really like that. Child, Sharon, Elmer, Keely Family Singers, Lulu, Frank] 23:02 Gehenna beckons. Gehenna beckons. Let God be true, Chorus: And flashing eyes and singing and liquid fire and every man a liar. and angels all around in the fire and calling to one 5 Scene 5: The Elks Lodge Meeting Room, Zenith, Let God be true. another. Missouri, 1911. (Controlling her panic, Sharon musters the last of her strength and sings out to the crowd): THE END [Sharon, T.J. Rigg, Men’s Chorus, Rev. Baines, Elmer] 7:04 Sharon: No! Friends! Hear my voice. Hear me. I don’t 6 Scene 6: The Pastor’s Study in the home of Eddie and see Hell. I see flashing eyes and singing and liquid fire and Lulu Fislinger, Cato, Missouri, 1912. angels all around in the fire and calling to one another. Sharon and All: And flashing eyes and singing and [Lulu, Eddie] 8:07 liquid fire and angels all around in the fire and calling to one another. I see flashing eyes and singing and liquid fire and angels all around in the fire and calling to one another. Sharon (over): Hear my voice. Hear me. Very slow crossfade to:

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Director: John Hoomes • Producer/General Director: William Florescu Musical Preparation: Jamie Johns • Off-Stage Piano: Anne Van Deusen Producer and editor: Blanton Alspaugh (Soundmirror.com) Recording engineers: John Newton and Byeong-Joon Hwang Mixing/mastering engineer: Jesse Lewis Production Sponsors: Donald and Donna Baumgartner Keith Phares’s performance generously sponsored by the Marie Z. Uihlein Artist Fund With additional support from: Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts Milwaukee County Arts Fund The United Performing Arts Fund Support for the recording provided by: The National Endowment for the Arts Richard and Suzanne Pieper Frieda and William Hunt Memorial Trust Aaron Copland Fund for Music Blan and Katharine Aldridge Members of the Florentine Opera Board of Directors

ELMER GANTRY was premièred by Nashville Opera in November, 2007 and by Peak Performances at Montclair State University in January, 2008. Published by C.F. Peters Corporation, © 2005, all rights reserved. www.editionpeters.com The creators dedicate this opera to their children: Micaela Stark Aldridge, Hadi Roz Garfein, Lev Joseph Garfein.

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Robert Livingston ALDRIDGE (b. 1954) Elmer Gantry (2007) An Opera in Two Acts Libretto by Herschel Garfein based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis Elmer Gantry ...... Keith Phares Sharon Falconer ...... Patricia Risley Frank Shallard ...... Vale Rideout Eddie Fislinger ...... Frank Kelley Lulu Baines ...... Heather Buck Reverend Arthur Baines ...... Matthew Lau T.J. Rigg ...... Jamie Offenbach Mrs. Baines ...... Julia Elise Hardin Revival Singer ...... William Johnson Binch/Bully/Worker #1 ...... Aaron Blankfield Keely Family Singers ...... Sarah Lewis Jones / Linda S. Ehlers / Paul Helm / Nathan Krueger Reporter ...... Peter C. Voigt Revival Worker/Worker #2 ...... Scott Johnson Ice Cream Vendor ...... Matthew Richardson Child ...... Katie Koester Man #1 ...... James Barany Woman #1 ...... Tracy Wildt Woman #2 ...... Kristin Ngchee Tour Guide ...... Margaret Wendt Women’s Chorus Leader ...... Julie Alonzo-Calteaux Florentine Opera Chorus Chorus-master: Scott Stewart Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra • William Boggs

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AMERICAN OPERA CLASSICS ROBERT ALDRIDGE Elmer Gantry Libretto by Herschel Garfein Phares • Risley • Rideout • Kelley • Buck Florentine Opera Chorus • Florentine Opera Company Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra • William Boggs

2 CDs 8.669032-33 48 American Classics tray insert 24/10/2003 9:01 am Page 1

CMYK CMYK NAXOS Playing Robert Livingston Time: ALDRIDGE 2:21:38 (b. 1954)

Made in the USA. compact disc prohibited. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting and copying of this All rights in this sound recording, artwork, texts and translations reserved. Elmer Gantry (2007) 8.669032-33 An Opera in Two Acts AMERICAN OPERA CLASSICS Libretto by Herschel Garfein based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis Set just before World War I, Sinclair Elmer Gantry ...... Keith Phares Lewis’s incendiary novel Elmer ALDRIDGE: Sharon Falconer ...... Patricia Risley Gantry tells a story of old-time Frank Shallard ...... Vale Rideout & religion, illicit romance and revenge.

Eddie Fislinger ...... Frank Kelley

2011 Naxos Rights International Ltd. Robert Aldridge and Herschel Lulu Baines ...... Heather Buck Garfein’s operatic adaptation is a Florentine Opera Chorus ‘marvelous amalgam of toe-tapping Gantry Elmer Chorus-master: Scott Stewart accessibility’ (Opera News) full of Elmer Gantry Florentine Opera Company hymns, gospel songs, marches and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra dance, evoking the period in a score William Boggs which echoes Gershwin and Copland. CD 1 69:24 CD 2 72:14 This all-American production 1-6 Act I 69:24 1 Introduction 0:51 combines a first-rate cast of singers 2-8 Act II 65:04

ALDRIDGE: and a world-class orchestra for ‘an 9 Epilogue 6:19 intoxicating experience’ (The New DDD A full track list, cast list and list of sponsors can be found on pages 2-5 of the booklet. York Times).

The libretto can be found in the booklet, and may also be 8.669032-33 accessed at www.naxos.com/libretti/669032.htm Recorded at Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, www.naxos.com 8.669032-33 Uihlein Hall, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, from 19th to 21st March, 2010 • Producer and editor: Blanton Alspaugh (Soundmirror.com) • Publisher: C.F. Peters Performance photos: Richard Brodzeller

NAXOS for Florentine Opera Company © 2010