The Singer Musical
The Singer Musical centres around the protagonist Marnie, who after years of letting her aspirations of being a professional singer go by, she finally decides to take a chance at reviving her once forgotten dream. Stuck at a crossroad, she leaves everything she knows behind and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Joined and encouraged by characters such as her fearless though troubled childhood best friend Jules who is also a singer, Deedee (aka Disco Diva), Robert (aka the singing man), Lorenzo (the Italian cafe owner) as well as her young son Dylan. Marnie must not only find her voice but must have the courage to use it against all odds. The singer is a story of the strength of the human spirit against adversity. A story inspired and created to encourage people to not only find their voice but to also follow their dreams. We only have one life, let's live it together.
“"My memories trouble me, like they belong to someone else. I think back to who I was and it's like there's no connection there. It's like I left myself behind and I don't know who I am anymore". (Marnie)” - Jenny Mitchell
— The Singer Musical Act one, scene 5
Extract from The Singer (Act One, Scene five)
Lorenzo looks over at Marnie and laughs to himself.
Lorenzo: Marnie...Marnie...
Marnie stops humming and turns around
Marnie: Yes, do you need me?
Lorenzo laughs walking over to Marnie and puts his hand on her arm and looks concerned
Lorenzo: Marnie, is everything ok? you seem so distracted these days and tired too, if you don't mind me saying.
Marnie: (looking down then up) I don't know, I’ve just keep having these memories playing over and over in my head, which just won't go away.
Lorenzo: (nodding his head and exhaling) well, I know what that's like. Everything in this place reminds me of Maria and when the children were small. It's like she's still here, I can feel her presence. The memories are what keeps me going, Marnie. The memories make me feel alive.
Marnie: (looking into Lorenzo's eyes) I wish I could say that was the same for me. My memories trouble me, like they belong to someone else. I think back to who I was and it's like there's no connection there. It's like I left myself behind and I don't know who I am anymore.
Lorenzo: (looking concerned) Are you ok, Marnie? You're making me worry about you. You know, life isn't so bad, you have a good managerial position here and you have that beautiful son of yours and not forgetting Dan, of course. I know things are not always great here, business is suffering and I know you and Luisa don't see eye to eye, and that she can be hard on you. You know I try and keep the peace, but Luisa has the strong will of her mother and there's no telling that girl she can't do something.
Marnie: (smiles and touches Lorenzo's arm) No, it's more than that, I can handle Luisa and I'm grateful for the life I have, I just have a feeling there's more out there.
Lorenzo: Marnie, you are like another daughter to me, you know that. Whatever you decide to do in your life, you have my blessing. you know you'll always have a place here.
Marnie: I know that Lorenzo, and I love having you in my life, I really do. I don't think you'll ever realise how much you and Maria helped me and that I think of you like a father too. It's just I had dreams and it scares me that I had forgotten them. Did you ever have a dream? I mean other than running a family business?
Lorenzo: When I was a child yes, as all children do. I wanted to be a race car driver and travel the world, but it was just a fantasy, a fantasy I knew would never come true. Life was hard and my family and I were very poor. My mother did her best and looked after us well. My father worked like a dog on the fishing boats, but it was never enough.
When I first saw Maria for the first time, that's when I allowed myself to really dream, to hope for more. She was so beautiful and so intimidating; I was very shy and afraid to approach her. All the other guys around town did la grande figura but she just would look through them almost, it was very funny to watch, I tell you.
Then one day she walks over to me while I was fixing an old bike of mine and asked me with a very big smile on her face why I had not approached her yet, and was it because I didn't think her attractive enough. I tell you I went as white as a sheet and dropped my spanner which then landed right on my foot… As I winced in pain and embarrassment she laughed in a rather endearing way, which allowed me to laugh at myself rather than want to disappear. She said, if my foot was alright to walk on, would I mind walking her home and help her with her shopping. Of course, she didn't have to ask me twice and you should have seen the utter look of shock on the other young men's faces. Not as shocked as I was, I assure you.
God, only knows why Maria, chose me that day, I will never understand it myself. But one thing I know is she knew what she wanted in life and no one was going to tell her different or stand in her way. It was easy for us though as we shared the same dreams, her dreams were my dreams, she was my dream come true.
Lorenzo looks emotional and looks at the wall of photographs and walks over to dust the main large photograph.
Lorenzo: (while looking and dusting the photo) She was still so very beautiful right to when she took her very last breath.
Lorenzo is staring looking at the wall.
Marnie: I know you miss her so much Lorenzo, we miss her terribly too. I...
Just then, Luisa storms in the café
Luisa: (annoyed and animated) Dad! I thought you had agreed to let an interior designer come and redesign the café layout. I just phoned them to confirm the appointment and they said that you called saying we weren't interested. Why didn't you tell me dad? Your own daughter.
Marnie tries to interrupt to warn Luisa.
Marnie: Luisa, I'm sorry, this isn't a good time...
Luisa: Butt out Marnie, this has nothing to do with you.
Marnie looks taken aback
Lorenzo turns around looking teary eyed but very angry.
Lorenzo: Luisa, don't you dare talk to Marnie that way. She does more here than you have ever done. Your mother would be so ashamed of your behaviour.
Luisa stands there shocked into silence
Luisa: (in a very strained quiet voice) But dad...
Lorenzo: (still angry) But nothing!
Luisa looks very hurt and embarrassed and runs off crying
Lorenzo puts his hands to his face
Lorenzo: I'm a terrible father, what am I doing wrong?
Marnie: No, you’re not, just try to be more patient and listen to your son and daughter equally maybe.
Lorenzo: (laughs) Why are you so good Marnie? You seem to understand Luisa better than me, even after how she can treat you sometimes
Marnie: We all have our reasons for acting the way we do, sometimes we just need people closest to us to take the time to understand why. Don't be so hard on yourself though Lorenzo, you've raised good kids. You and Maria did a great job.
Lorenzo: Yes, well I believe it was all Maria really, she was such a good mother. The children adored her, and she adored them. I used to just follow her lead and let her do the tough stuff. Maybe that was a mistake, without her here to guide me I feel like I'm trying to find my way in the dark. And look, look how I treated Luisa just then, I know she means well and I love her so. Why do I find it so hard to show it?
Marnie: I struggle too with Dylan. I try not to get frustrated with him about his school work, but it's hard. Sometimes as parents we fall short of what's expected of us. What's important is we acknowledge this and try and do better the next time. The most important thing you can do Lorenzo is show Luisa how important she is to you and acknowledge she has a voice too that deserves to be heard. If she really is so much like Maria, maybe you could learn something.
Lorenzo: Why can I listen to you and not my own children?
Marnie: As sad as it is, it's for that very reason, Lorenzo. You'd think we'd listen more to those closest to us, but we don't. Sometimes thinking we know people so well is our own downfall as we end up knowing them less. People change and it's important we notice and change with them.
Just then the phone rings in the back office.
Lorenzo: I better get that Marnie, I think it's about our next food delivery from the Italian market. This may take a while.
Marnie is left alone in the café, there are no customers. she begins cleaning and looking out of the window at the rain.
Written by Jenny Mitchell