Children's Letters to God
{{Citations missing|date=January 2010}}
{{Infobox Musical
| name = Children's Letters to God
| music = David Evans
| lyrics = Douglas J. Cohen
| book = Stoo Hample
| basis = 1991 book by Stoo Hample and Eric Marshall
| productions = 2004 Off-Broadway
| awards =
}}
Children's Letters to God was a Drama Desk Award nominated Off-Broadway musical that was based on the best selling book by Stoo Hample, music by David Evans, and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen.{{Cite web |date= |title=Creators |url=http://www.childrensletterstogod.com/Creators.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022011655/http://www.childrensletterstogod.com/Creators.html |archive-date=2008-10-22 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=childrensletterstogod.com}}
Summary
The musical is about five young children who are friends that discuss their beliefs, ambitions, uncertainties, and questions common but paralyzing coming from children. Issues brought up in the musical are holidays, loss of a pet, divorces, sibling rivalry, the struggle of being unathletic, and first love. As in concurrence with the book, the show does not directly address religion, but just asks questions about life.{{Cite web |date= |title=Samuel French, Inc. The House of Plays & Musical Plays for Over 175 Years |url=http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/5127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230034749/http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/5127 |archive-date=2010-12-30 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Samuel French, Inc}}
Production
The show was put on at Lamb's Theatre. The production was directed was Stafford Arima, musical staging by Patricia Wilcox, set design by Anna Louizos, light design by Kirk Bookman, sound by Peter Hylenski, costume design by Gail Brassard, and produced by Carolyn Rossi Copeland. The cast consisted of Gerard Canonico, Sara Kapner, Jimmy Dieffenbach, Andrew Zutty, and Libby Jacobson. Allison Fischer was an understudy in the production.{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |date=30 June 2004 |title=Children's Letters to God, the Musical, Opens in NYC June 30, Asking the Big Questions |work=Playbill |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/87080-Childrens-Letters-to-God-the-Musical-Opens-in-NYC-June-30-Asking-the-Big-Questions |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131103705/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/87080-Children's_Letters_to_God_the_Musical_Opens_in_NYC_June_30_Asking_the_Big_Questions |archive-date=31 January 2013}}
Song List
- Prologue (Company)
- Questions, Questions (Company)
- Thirteen (Brett)
- Arnold (Iris and Company)
- Like Everybody Else (Theo and Company)
- Questions for the Rain (Iris and Company)
- Ants (Kicker)
- A Simple Holiday Song (Company)
- Six Hours As A Princess (Joanna)
- An Only Child (Kicker and Joanna)
- When I Am In Charge (Company)
- Daydreams (Company)
- Kicker Brown (Theo)
- Silly Old Hat (Brett)
- How Come? (Company)
- Star Letters (Iris, Joanna, Theo)
- I Know (Company)
- I Know (reprise) (Company)
- Joanna's Lament (Joanna) (cut from the original performance, but featured on the soundtrack)
Reception
BroadwayWorld praised the cast's performances, calling the show "clever, funny and musically hip".{{Cite web |last=Dale |first=Michael |date=16 November 2004 |title=Children's Letters to God: An Answer to a Musical Theatre Lover's Prayer |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Childrens-Letters-to-God-An-Answer-to-a-Musical-Theatre-Lovers-Prayer-20041116 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508010631/https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Childrens-Letters-to-God-An-Answer-to-a-Musical-Theatre-Lovers-Prayer-20041116 |url-status=live }}
Awards
The show was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}