The Hidden Sky
Music & Lyrics by Peter Foley
Book by Kate Chisholm
The world as we know it is no more. An apocalypse brought on by the misuse of technology has ravaged the earth. A society has arisen where science, mathematics, and the pursuit of knowledge have been forbidden by the ruling priests and forgotten by the people.
Based upon the short story “The Masters” by Ursula K. Le Guin, this multi-award-winning musical tells the story of Ganil, a young woman whose longing for knowledge leads her on a passionate journey of discovery. As she risks her life in pursuit of truth, a series of devastating events forces her to make a profound leap into the unknown. Featuring a soaring, eclectic score with lush ensemble singing, The Hidden Sky is a mythical tale of aspiration, awakening, and the indomitable human spirit.
Full-length musical, drama
Cast: 13 (6f, 7m)
Strong role for a leading woman; diverse cast. Ensemble show. All must be strong singers.
Musicians: 8
Keyboard/Conductor; Keyboard/violin; Flute/alto flute/clarinet/bass clarinet; French horn; Guitar; Cello; Acoustic and electric bass; Drums/percussion
Highlights from the Score
Oath
Wheel in the Engine
The Hidden Sky
Pineheart
Revelation: All Is Number
Performances
Prospect Theater Company, NYC, dir. Kate Chisholm, 2010
Joe’s Pub (concert version), NYC, 2007, Kate Chisholm and Manoel Felciano, 2007
Ars Nova (concert version), NYC, 2006
Spirit of Broadway Theater, Norwich, CT, dir. Brett Bernardini, 2003
Prince Music Theater / American Music Theater Festival, Philadelphia (world premiere), dir. Ben Levit, 2000
The Director’s Company, NYC (workshop), dir. BT McNicholl, 1997
The Hidden Sky was developed with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Music Theater Conference, the Richard Rodgers Award, the American Music Theater Festival, and Prospect Theater Company.
Praise
“I am absolutely wowed by the music and by the theatrical brilliance and passion of the book. Terrific pacing, but it’s also very complex—intellectually, morally, and aesthetically. The music is magnificent. Powerful and urgent but never blatant; melodic but never simplistic; wonderfully various yet seamless in its narrative flow. I am very deeply impressed. And the courage of it—to sing love songs to learning, to knowledge! What a joy!” — URSULA K. LE GUIN
“The choral writing is thrilling, and the sudden surprises...are spectacularly theatrical.” — STEPHEN SONDHEIM
“Peter Foley’s intricately thematic, deeply impassioned, evocative score with its haunting melodies, sweeping choral moments and driving undercurrents, captures the heart in an instant. But its most compelling quality is how precisely it captures the complex spirit of the story, from its poetic lyrics right down to the details in the orchestrations… Fearlessly intelligent…. a beautiful, provocative musical.” — CURTAIN UP
“As the current New York theatre season nears its final weeks it might be argued that the most emotionally charged, captivatingly written musical scene this time around depicted a young woman's discovery of a mathematical theorem proving a law of physics. Doesn’t sound like something that sings? Well, add the dramatic element that by questioning religion through science she recognizes a simple elegance to the universe that solidifies her belief in God. Now that’s musical theatre... joyful, engaging and intelligent.” — BROADWAY WORLD
“From the time the overture began until the final note was played, the reviewer was riveted by a story of good and evil, ignorance and arrogance, of frustration and triumph compellingly told.... The Hidden Sky is different, provocative, a tad unusual, but musical theater to be thoroughly enjoyed.” — DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN
“The show effectively communicates the exhilaration of intellectual discovery.... The power of Foley’s score... the melodic urgency, rhythmic variety, harmonic invention and orchestral sophistication of his music compel the attention…. Phrases resonate in the memory: ‘Wheel in the engine,’ ‘I will breathe no word of this,’ ‘Symbol and sign.’ In a program note, Foley acknowledges a range of influences from Sufi plainsong to the rock band U2, yet what he has made of them is something uniquely his own.” — PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Awards
Richard Rodgers Award (American Academy of Arts and Letters)
NEA New American Works grant
Stephen Sondheim Award (American Music Theater Festival)
Jonathan Larson Foundation Award
6 Barrymore Nominations, including Outstanding Original Score, Outstanding New Play, and Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Spirit Award for Best New Score (12 nominations, including Best New Play and Best New Work)
Perusals & Licensing
Complete synopsis, demo recordings, and script are available for perusal. The Hidden Sky is fully orchestrated and may be licensed for performance by arrangement with the Peter Foley Music Project. Please direct inquiries here.
Download one-sheet